From Paris to Alsace
Bonjour,
On Monday evening before our departure for Alsace, Bernie did a solo photography shoot and captured some gorgeous pictures of the St. Paul-St. Louis church, which is steps away from our apartment. Notice the detail work and remember that up until two years ago, this church was totally black!
Then he captured some interesting street art on rue Franc Bourgeois in both full daylight and after it got dark. These are lampshades hanging above the street which say “I love linen” or in French “J’aime le Lin.”
We traveled by high-speed train on Tuesday from La Gare de Lyon to Soultz, France in the Alsace region to enjoy a few days with Bernie’s cousins, Pierre and Laurie Verdier. It feels like home when we enter their house as everything is familiar, convenient and beautifully appointed, not to mention spotlessly clean. Such a dear friendship we have cultivated with them!
There are new blog followers this year so just a little about Pierre and Laurie. Laurie is a retired anesthesiologist and speaks six or seven different languages She is my French expert! Pierre has a PhD in geology and worked for Elf, the large oil company in France. They are both enjoying their retirement in this lovely region of France. Pierre plays golf every day, even in the snow! And he walks the course. Pierre is hard of hearing and so is his golf partner, which makes for a good pairing! Laurie enjoys reading, cooking and traveling. Her favorite countries are Japan, Iran and Korea. She is also an art expert.
Bernie and Pierre took a long morning walk which included a stop at the local market and the small town of Soultz. Here’s a tour through Bernie’s photos.
In the afternoon we drove about 30 minutes to Colmar, a lovely Alsatian city and toured Musée UnterLinden, most famous for the great masterpiece, the Isenheim Altarpiece by Grunewald and Niclaus of Haguenau. 
Also visiting at the same time as we were was one of the candidates running for President of France, Alain Juppé who was swallowed up in a cluster of cameras.
Here are some shots of Colmar. Notice the German influence as this part of France was frequently in Germany…back and forth.
Our lovely day ended with a dinner of foie gras, beet salad, wonderful cheeses and fresh pineapple, a very French meal that was delicious.
Tomorrow we will be traveling to visit other cousins in Baume les Dames so most likely no time for a blog.
A bientôt,
L & B
May 25, 2016 @ 7:35 pm
Alsace was a fav region on our river cruise. Got great shots of nesting storks. Loved the German influenced architecture.
Be safe!
May 25, 2016 @ 7:59 pm
I tried to find why the St. Paul-St. Louis church had been black, but could not. Was it just from old age, neglect or something else? Bernie seems to be having fun with his selection of subjects — I enjoyed the colored lanterns at different times of day.
May 26, 2016 @ 3:41 am
Yes, Pat, the church was dirty from the automobile soot and air pollution. It was a church you would walk past without stopping. NOW, it is magnificent both inside and out. It contains some original paintings by Delocroix.
May 25, 2016 @ 8:46 pm
I love the lights with lampshades over the streets! My kind of decorating that’s fun.
It’s wonderful to have family in France that really feels like family. And, I’m glad you had such a good dinner. Since we’re at Ft. Walton, we had calamari followed by a salad with shrimp,scallops, and crab. We both enjoyed it. Keep having fun.
May 26, 2016 @ 3:39 am
Glad to hear from you, Barbara! Enjoy the beach.
May 25, 2016 @ 10:05 pm
Laurie and Pierre look great
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May 26, 2016 @ 12:24 am
So beautiful thank you both for sharing your beautiful journey
May 26, 2016 @ 1:21 am
What lovely photos! The church’s transformation is nothin short of amazing in such a short time. The lampshades are certainly unique additions. The architecture of the buildings in the Alsace town are very different from your Parisian buildings. Such fun to follow yours and Bernie’s eyes on this journey.
May 26, 2016 @ 3:38 am
Thank you, Cindi!
May 26, 2016 @ 2:27 pm
Unbelievable difference in the St. Paul-St. Louis church. As always Bernie’s photos represent a wonderful journey! Have a great time on the cruise…
May 26, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
You saw the Isenheim Altarpiece! I am SO JEALOUS! I have taught that many times in Sunday School.
More art, please!
May 26, 2016 @ 6:35 pm
We took other photos which I will email to you. It was a lovely museum, half of which was newly renovated and had been a piscine (swimming pool). Bernie’s cousin, Pierre, remembered that he had almost drowned in the pool when he was a young boy!