Annie & Xavier
Things To Do
Marseille
We can't help suggesting the city that Xavier got his PhD and we fell in love. Please see the google doc link above for detailed walking tour of the city ----> Explore le Panier (a historic artist neighborhood), hike up to Notre Dame de la Garde, explore the markets of Vieux Port, visit the Palais Longchamp (Fun fact: Xavier and Annie climbed the statues of the Palais together one night), visit our favorite gelato place ever: L'Eléphant Rose à Pois Blancs (the pink polka dot elephant) and explore the street art in the neighborhood Cours Julien, visit the gorgeous MuCEM (Museum of Mediterranean history) alongside the water, take a boat from Vieux Port to Chateau d'If from the Count of Montecristo Our suggestion is to skip Nice and go here! Nice = more touristy and less nature. We would choose Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and the surrounding area any day!
Paris
Xavier's "hometown"-- he grew up in the suburbs to the west of the city in L'Etang la Ville, Xavier also went to school at the École Normale Supérieure in downtown Paris. Suggestions from us: contact us for less touristy things to do! Enjoy a meal by the banks of the seine, go visit the catacombs early in the morning, just walk and explore several arrondissements of the city without a schedule or plan. Explore Shakespeare and Company and have tea at the Grande Mosquée. Explore the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Jardin des Plantes
Vallon des Auffes
Xavier planned to propose here except COVID got in the way! The first night Xavier and Annie met, we were here. We were drinking wine on the edge of the Mediterranean and enjoying the sunset view. No wonder we fell in love :) Fun fact: Xavier opened a bottle of wine for Annie on the rocks here with his shoe. It's such a romantic area-- if we could be married here on the water we would! Walk here from Vieux Port along the sea and explore the neighborhood of Endoume
Lyon
Annie studied abroad in Lyon! Please see the google doc link above for detailed walking tour of the city. Lyon battles with Marseille to be the 2nd largest city in France. Lyon is a charming city and the gastronomic capital of the country. Enjoy amazing restaurants and stroll alongside the two rivers that run through the city. This is a great starting point to travel to Provence or east to the mountains/Alps! Hike up to the church on the hill- La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière.
Calanque de Sugiton
If you go to Marseille, you must spend a day at the calanques! Take a bottle of rosé and a picnic to have along the cliffs of the mediterranean. The calanques are an easy 20 minute bus ride from city center and then a gorgeous short hike. Sunbathe and enjoy the views. Enjoy cliff jumping where the locals are if you dare
Etretat-Normandie
Étretat is a town on the northern coast of France. It’s known for the striking rock formations carved out of its white cliffs, including the Porte d'Aval arch and L'Aiguille (the Needle), a pillar rising up from the sea. To the north, the cliffside Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde has dramatic views. Le Vieux Marché is a market hall in town. There is a beautiful walk/hike path along the cliffs Approximately 1h20min from Chateau
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Visit Xavier's favorite part of France: La Vallée du Lot. Xavier has done several cross-country bike trips thru here. Enjoy cliffside villages along rivers. Rated the most beautiful village in France- although the competition is close.
Gordes
This characteristic village perché (perched village) is beautifully situated in the UNESCO-listed Luberon Natural Regional Park, a wild and rugged mountainous area. Because of its dramatic hilltop setting and splendid architecture, Gordes has been named one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, and many artists (including Vasarély and Chagall) have found inspiration for their paintings here.
Pont-l'Évêque
CHEESE.....Pont-l'Évêque is in the Calvados department in Normandy. It is known for Pont-l'Évêque cheese, a type of soft cheese, the oldest Normandy cheese in production. During World War II, the town was severely damaged by a two-day battle in August 1944. Since then it has recovered and it a wonderful place to spend an afternoon in a cafe with a plate of cheese, sampling a glass or two of the region's famous Calvados cider! If you're up for it, head over to the Calvados Experience - see full details in the link! Approximately 100km from Chateau.
Honfleur
Honfleur is a quaint little fishing village straight out of a story book. Where the English Channel meets the Seine river you will find the Viex-Bassin (old harbor) surrounded by 16-18th century timber houses. Spend the day strolling the streets and enjoying lunch on the water. This little town is the perfect place to spend a quintessential Normandy afternoon. Approximately 50km from the Chateau.
Rocamadour
Rocamadour stands out with its spectacular views over the Alzou canyon, and it is literally built into the cliff side. The one-street town (pop. 626) is known for its cliffside collection of buildings. Hike the winding path to the top for an unforgettable view
Giverny
Visit on the way to the Chateau from Paris!!!! Giverny is a small village on the border of Normandy most famous for being the site of Claude Monet's cherished riverside house and garden, both of which are open to the public today. The pastel pink house is pretty as a picture, with spring green shutters and ivy crawling up every surface. And the gardens are like an impressionist painting come to life, with water lilies, weeping willows, wisterias, and the famous green Japanese bridge.
Mont Saint-Michel
At high tide, Mont Saint-Michel is an island, at low tide you can walk out to it from the mainland. Rising up from sandbanks and powerful tides, the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel gives off an otherworldly appearance in its position off France's northwestern coast in Normandy. A small medieval village, complete with winding streets and tiny houses, sits on the island, but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. The incredibly abbey was built in 708 A.D.
Verdon Gorge
Annie and Xavier went on a camping trip here, and kayaked the river! Les Gorges du Verdon is often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of France." And although it might be smaller than its American counterpart, it certainly doesn't fall short in terms of beauty. The 2,300-feet-deep valley was formed by the Alpine Verdon River, a dazzling turquoise stream that flows into the artificial Lac de Sainte-Croix. Hiking and horseback riding trails weave throughout the vertical limestone cliffs, connecting tiny villages
Lake Annecy
One of Annie's favorite places during study abroad. Fun fact: Annie's trip here and up into the mountains, with a view of the Alps, inspired her to return for a solo trip to France to see more of the mountains, which led to her returning to Marseille and meet Xavier :) Medieval France meets the French Alps in this picturesque town on the northern bank of an alpine lake. Discover Annecy’s centuries-old castles, explore the narrow maze of cobblestone streets and hike and ski through a spectacular mountainous landscape. Annecy’s Old Town features narrow pedestrian-only streets interrupted by canals and lined with boutiques and open-air restaurants. Visit on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday morning for the popular food market. Devote time to the lake. The large freshwater body claims to be the purest in Europe and hosts a range of activities such as paddle boating with the swans, swimming, sailing. Bike alongside the lake or take a bus to hike in the mountains and along nearby waterfalls.
Rouen
June 8-18 2023 is the date of the Rouen Armada, one of the largest gatherings of tall ships in the world. This popular festival will take place the week of our wedding and as ever will attract millions of visitors to the riverside to see some of the most prestigious sailing ships and their crews. Rouen is the capital of Normandy, and a port city on the Seine river. Important in the Roman era and Middle Ages, it has multiple Gothic churches and a cobblestoned pedestrian center with beautiful medieval half-timbered houses. The famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame was painted by Impressionist Claude Monet at multiple times of day. Place du Vieux-Marché is where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Rue du Gros-Horloge is named for a massive astronomical clock dating to the Renaissance. Approx 70km from Chateau.