The gardens of Versailles palace

The gardens have been created during the reign of Louis XIV,

under the direction of André LE NÔTRE. Jules HARDOUIN-MANSART,

the first architect of the King, brought some modifications later.

The sculptures and fontains were realised by a large team of sculptors

directed by Charles LE BRUN, the first painter of the King.

All pictures were taken in March (no flowers), by a cold sunny day.

 Bassin de Latone

The great canal at the back

In december 1999, a violent storm devasted the park of Versailles.
 20 000 trees, some of them very old, were destroyed.

A colossal effort of replantation was supplied in the past 10 years

to erase the marks of this disaster.

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Aiguèze near the Ardèche river - Aiguèze sur l'Ardèche

Aiguèze, a small medieval village near the Ardèche river, has been

classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

Aiguèze, un petit village médiéval à coté de l'Ardèche, a été classé comme l'un
des plus beaux villages de France.

Narrow alleys, stony staircases winding in the city, ruins of a fortress raised on the cliff
and overhanging the river, a church and a exceptional point of view!

Des ruelles étroites, des escaliers de pierres se faufilant dans le village, les ruines d'un chateau
bâti sur la falaise et surplombant la rivière Ardèche, une église et un point de vue exceptionnel.

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Ardèche river - Cirque de la Madeleine

The Ardèche river flows in the south east of France and  is about 125 km long.

Its valley is beautiful, in particular between the villages of Vallon Pont d'Arc

and Saint Martin d'Ardèche. The walls of the river are spectacular and

up to 300 meters high.

Canoeing or kayaking through the rapids is a great way to discover the river!

No, do not expect to see snow in this place ....or so rarely.

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Hotel for pigeons

These pictures were taken during our vaccations in the south east of France,

near the "Ardèche" river, in a charming village named Bourg-Saint-Andéol.