Le blog de LODYA

3 octobre 2010

CARNET DE VOYAGE - SKETCHBOOK

Maori New Zealand

NORMANDIE - DIEPPE - ETRETAT

VEULLES LES ROSES

ETRETAT is very well know for its cliffs.

HONFLEUR

ILE D'YEU - YEU ISLAND

DOVER BEACH

By Matthew Arnold

The sea is calm tonight,
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits; on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Come to the window, sweet is the night air!

Only, from the long line of spray
Where the sea meets the moon-blanched land,
Listen! you hear the grating roar
Of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling,
At their return, up the high strand,
Begin, and cease, and then again begin,
With tremulous cadence slow, and bring
The eternal note of sadness in.

Sophocles long ago
Heard it on the Agean, and it brought
Into his mind the turbid ebb and flow
Of human misery; we
Find also in the sound a thought,
Hearing it by this distant northern sea.

The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.

1867

PONT DU GARD

AUVERGNE

AUVERGNE

ARDECHE

The landscape of Ardèche

PROVENCE

vieux buron provençal

ALPES

CEVENNES

LOIRET - BEAUCE - PARK FLORAL

THE LOIRE VALLEY AROUND ORLEANS

ORLEANS

Joan of Arc 's House

Joan of Arc's house was rebuilt in 1964, The timber-framed façade is a faithfull replica of the original house in which Joan of Arc stayed in 1429, invited by her host, Jeacques Boucher, Treasurer to the Duke of Orleans

STATUE OF JOAN OF ARC.

Standing in the Centre of the Place du Martroi is the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, carved in bronze by Denis Foyatier (1855). The high-relief sculpture around the base of the statue by Vital Dubray traces the life of Joan of Arc.

JARDIN DE l'HOTEL GROSLOT AND PORCHE DE LA CHAPELLE SAINT JACQUES (XV)

The “small garden behind the town hall” quietly squeezed in between the Hôtel Groslot, the Hotel Hardouineau and the C.E. Is a real pleasure for botanists, photographers and sweethearts. In this garden, where all notion of time is lost, are the relics of the chapel which the pilgrims from St Jacques de Compostelle built : a porch dating back to the XV C. taken from the santuary built on the Place du Châtelet (close to the bridge crossing the Loire), saved from demolition and carried to this garden in 1883 with some of the other relics.

GROSLOT MANSION

Situated near the cathedral, Groslot Mansion was built from 1530 to 1550 for the bailiff Jacques Groslot. It has been the town hall since 1790. In 1850, the architect Delton renovated the rooms. The reception-room, the former room of the town council, the Lord's Mayor's former study and the wedding-room where François II died in 1560, having come here to preside over the States General. Other famous guests were Charles IX, Henri III and Henri IV. The visitor can discover many memorabilia of Joan of Arc, valuable paintings, Aubusson tapestries and furniture.

ART MUSEUM IN ORLEANS

JARGEAU CARNIVAL

Once a year, the rumble of drums echoes through the quiet town of Jargeau, heralding extraordinary chaos. It's carnival time, and a long parade of floats and giant heads provides the escort for the carnival King amid a riot of festivities. In the evening, the fun concludes around a bonfire where the grotesque king is burned, after which order and calm return to Jargeau once more.

THE LOIRE BEAVER RODENT

The european beaver -(castor fiber L.) lives on the Loire river in Orléans. We can observe the entrance and the roof of the fallen branches of burrows, the trees that they eat into the bark tree and the branch. The Loire beaver doesn't build dams, but burrows-huts on the islands

The silure glane

A monster in the Loire waters. This fish comes from Central Europe, from Danube and Rhin. We can find it in Doubs rivers in small quantity. Silure can weight more than 100 kilogrammes and measure 2 or 3 meters long.

CHECY

Near the forest of Orléans, on a hillside overlooking the Loire, Chécy has numerous tourist attractions : quiet walks, athletic circuit and fishing along the canal, guided visit of the XII and XIII th C church, on request, at week-ends and during school hokidays, camping grounds on the banks of the Loire.

Musée de la Tonnellerie

A lively reconstruction of the community of coopers, set up in the heart of this ancient vineyard. Here, you'll see all the hidden aspects of a misunderstood trade through a fine collection of ancient tools, photos, archive documents and other items. In the museum courtyard, the reconstruction of a small vineyard farmhouse brings the local habitat and activity to life.

A garden and orchard, constituting a genuine conservatory of former local species is being laid out.

SAINT JEAN DE BRAYE « humid place » had before two streams and a river, Loire's La Corne and L'Egouttier don't exist nowadays. The Bionne rises in the Orleans forest near Chilleurs aux Bois. Until XVIIIeC. Bionne meet Loire river at St Loup. Nowadays, it pours out into the channel at bridge Maingault.

The old village : Near the Loire river and the channel, the old village with its church from XIIe C. It calls back the activity in the past. The mariners houses « rub shoulders with » the somptuous villas.

The Park of Charbonniere castle

The name of the castle comes from roman « carbonaria » which means « the place where we do coal ». The origin comes probably at the old roman street « Genabum Senonum ». Several owners got this castle. In 1894, a new construction composed of 234 doors and windows on a area of 9473 m2.In 1971, the castle belongs to Orleans city which has amenaged a leasure center for children. Now we can take a walk in the undergrouth of the orleans forest, do picknick at the shadow of very old trees, or do sport course.

VRIGNY Mousset father Museum

Near Chamerolles castle, where the forest meets the plain of Beauce and the grasslands of Gâtinais. From the cellar to the attic through its outlying buildings, the daily life, 150 years ago, of Mousset father and his wife, altoghether with the reconstitution of the school, the church and the local pub (bistrot).

COMBLEUX

Combleux village is the typical example of ligerian village. It has preserved its historic patrimony and its mildness of life, unique in the orleanaise suburb. On the Patache way which goes upstreams at the dumping and in downstreams at the channel dike, we can observe numerous species of birds : ash-grey herons, sternes, seagulls, swans, tits , cormorants, grebes, courlis... and for patient people, we can see the kingfisher. They often take picture this bird in the front of a boat.

La Marine Hotel restaurant is situated in a charming place. Before, the restaurant was called “The Hôtel des deux rivages”. Stagecoaches stopped here, in the past.

CHAMEROLLES

Castle of perfumes

In 16^th c. Chamerolles was the home of Lancelot 1^st du Lac, a companion of two successive kings, Louis XII and Francois 1^st, whom he accompanied to Italy during the war. With time, the castle had fallen into disrepair until the local governing body had it completely renovated. Although built at the beginning of the 16^th c. the castle has a medieval plan, but it relects nonetheless signs of the new lifestyle, the Renaissance. The 16^th c, garden made of six square plant beds and surrounded by convered passages, is at the same time, sumptuous, pleasant and useful. The chapel has an exceptional set of Huguenot inscriptions on its wall. The Museum of perfumes presents the history of scents, aromatic plants and precious bottles in their daily use from the 16^th c until now.

BERRY AND CREUSE VALLEY

BERRY ET LA VALLEE DE LA CREUSE

To discover more about BERRY and CREUSE VALLEY, buy this book on EDILIVRE illustrated with a numerous watercolours and photos by LODYA

GARGILESSE and ST BENOIT DU SAULT two villages classed among the most beautiful in FRANCE. Preserved hisory and magnificent sites. An artistic life of quality, music, theatre, painting, photography and landscape art.

I like to discover this town Known as the "Venise du Berry' . The beautiful medieval houses with old balconies overlooking the river in Argenton and the red or grey roofs can still be seen. Alon the Creuse, we can still see the old mills, the Moulin de Bord and the Moulin de la Varenne. The picturesque street of La Coursière lead us to the top of the hill where the little chapel of the Bonne Dame stands.
Don't forget to visit the shirt and masculine elegance Museum one of the major starting points for tourism in the region.

ARGENTON succeeded to the gallo-roman town of Argentomagus. During the Middle Ages a fortress was built at the top of the hill overlooking the valley. Argenton and its castle were invested by Pépin le Bref in 761 and became a huge fortress with ten towers. Nowadays only remains of the Heracle and « du Midi » towers can be seen.

The castle did not resist to both sieges : Philippe August's in 1188 and Henir IV in 1589. It finally was partly dismantled under Richelieu's reign in 1632 on Louis XIII's order. From the XIIth century until to the XIVth . The low part of the town of Argenton was built below the fortress, on the left bank of the Creuse. From the Xvth C; the low part of the town.

The town is the birthplace of the Rollinat family whose best known members are the poet Maurice ROLLINAT, author of the BRANDES and the NEVROSES and the botanist Raymond ROLLINAT, whose works are still highly respected and whose house has now become the town hall.

BOUCLE DU PIN

This is the river Creuse most beautiful meander, almost a complet loop. Since Neolitc times mankind has settled here, and for defence blocked the loop with a bank an a ditch. It's said that one day the giant Gargantua ventured into the valley of Creuse and decided to cross the river at this particular point. As he had one foot in the village of Pin, the other in the near church in Ceaulmont, he suddenly felt very hungry. He bent over and grabbed a small boat full of monks thinking it was a trout. He swallowed it and spat it out immediatly shouting the « the bones are too tough ». Fortunately he didn't feel thirsty, otherwise he would probably have drunk the whole river...

GEORGE SAND HOUSE AT NOHANT VIC

George Sand spent her childhood and adolescence in this late 18^th century house. Later, once she had become known as « the good woman of Nohant », she wrote the major part of her work here. The house still has the furniture and objects with which the writer lived and entertained many distinguished men such as Balzac, Chopin, Delacroix, Flaubert and Liszt.

A wealth of choices for open-air shows is available at this XIIth and XI C. fortress. Having been the property of families as prestigious as the Chauvigny and the Bourbon-Montpensiers, impressive vestiges still remain including the small entrance castle, the lords lodgings, the castle chapel and the interior courtyard. The village of Cluis (Dessus and Dessous have been a single community since 18118) conceals other hidden architectural treasures including a XVIIth century semi-covered market topped with an elegant bell-trurre, the remarkable XIII th c. church which is built of sandstone and granite, and the manor house (XV-XVIIth.C) which has now become the town hall.

Quarries are located in this part of Berry. Amphibolite is extracted to provide products for road surfaces.

This is the land where the « lum » is king (snail). Every year on May 1^st this feast attracts millions of visitors form all over the region to taste this delicious gastropod which has been masterfully stewed by the local chefs.Sa Majesté Luma parades unruffled between the chariots in the procession to the sound of folkloric music.Cluis is equally famous for the open air shows which enchant spectators in the summer season under the ruins of the Cluis Dessous fortress.

THE VIADUCT

Found near the hamlet of Neuville, this 499 metre long work of art was built between 1897 and 1901. It has twenty arches, each with a 20 metre opening, and enabled the railway track from THE BLANC to LA CHATRE (part of the Poitiers Montluçon line) to cross the Auzon valley.

Since the beginning of 1950, it is foesaken by all trafic. It has been restored by an association and has found a new meaning thanks to bungee-jumping enthusiats.

LE château DE BONNU

Built out of granite, the saber towers and facades are reflected in the moat which encloses them. Erected during the XIIIth and XIV it was greatly modified during the XVIIthC. To meet the tastes of the time.The keep was cut off by about ten meters, and the rooves recovered in a Mansart Style. In 1906, the castle was acquired by Mr Sérullaz, the brother-in-law of the poet Maurice ROLLINAT.

SAINT CHARTIER

The international meetings of instrument makers and bell-ringers of ST CHARTIER were raised to the top of the traditional european music fairs. ST CHARTIER also hots the top festival of instrument making : hurdy-gurdies and bagpipes in the world. These meetings take place in the castle, an ancient 15^th C. fortress altered in the XVIth and XIX C.

In the North, the Champagne Berrichonne, broad "store house" of Berry, in the west, the Brenne, the land of the thousands pools. In the south, the Boischaut, woody and hilly. More than 600 castles decorate the valleys of Indre and Bouzanne. What is the best ? History with Talleyrand in Valençay ? Romantism with George Sand and Chopin in Noyant ? The village of artist such as GARGILESSE , the nautic sports on the lake of Chambon and on the pool of Bellebouche, or the deep quietness of the forests of Lancôme and Le Poinçonnet ?

A country of hunting and fishing, vineyards of Reuilly and Valençay, goat cheese from Levroux and Valençay, where numerous restaurants offer a traditional fook with home made products.

Photo du barrage - Picture I have taken of the Dam

The CREUSE VALLEY grabbed man's attention very early on, and on the neighbouring slopes, evidence of intense prehistoric inhabitaiton is particularly widespread. It was a place for living, hunting and bartering during long prehistoric milennia. More recently, church builders have decorated the valley with superb romanesque constructions in the surrounding villages. It's the land of the châteaux. The eguzon dam and Chambon Lake, the Creuse continues to justify its name by embedding itself at the foot of the step hillsides, like the one with the Pince circle at the top, from which there's a magnificent panorama view.

G. SAND said in Laura : « The river Creuse in april is, perhaps the most beautiful river in the world ». From Fresselines to Argenton the river cuts its way thouth the rocky escarpments. Wild and enclosed between the baks of deep green woods it deploys its meanders, impetuous and whispering.

BILD3026_edited

BILD3868_edited

le chateau

CULAN castle proudly standing on a steep crag has kept the look of a fortress intended to stand a siege. Joan of Arc at the beginning of 1430, King Louis Xi in 1465, the Marchioness de Sévigné, George Sand, Chopin and Renan stayed there.

Land of lakes -it can count more than 1200 over an area of 800 hectares. The BRENNE is a veritable paradise for nature lovers. Hunt photography enthusiats can spot all sorts of bird species that are attracted by this world of land and water. Strangely enough, this rare natural location, henceforth protected by the title of regional natural park, is for the large part, a man-made creation. It was monks who created the first lakes in the Middle ages to bear fish, as much as to purify a region that possesses a very impermeable soil. Today, like continues with the rythm of the migrating birds, the lakes which empty in the autumn for fishing and the binoculared hickers that trek along the numerous sign-posted tracks. It's said also that the wind that whistles through the rushes carries with it various legends into this land where fairies and elves are never far away from the lakes. In the Hamlet of Bouchet, the Maison du Parc gives us a helping hand is discovering all the different facets of the nature that inhabits la BRENNE.

BRENNE , land of fishponds is also called region of « wizards » that forefathers used to say become today a National Park. Its a landscape of woods, lands, hillocks called « buttons » and thousand fisponds, La Gabrière the famous.In the reserves of Cherine and Gabrière, from the wooden observatories, we can observe the purple herons, twigs, curlews, colvert ducks... In the reedbeds, there are pond terrapins, european mink and a multitude of rare plants such as orchids.Brenne is also characterised by herds of white charolais cattle and isolated groups of horses : renowned fair at ROSNAY.

LA RAINETTE VERTE

LA RAINETTE VERTE

Cette grenouille mesure à peinte 5 cm, très élégante, elle se montre aussi la plus bavarde de toutes les espèces de batraciens. Ses petits doigts pourvus de disques adhésifs, lui permettent de s'élever par bonds sur les plantes et les arbres. Ainsi perchée, elle partage son temps entre la chasse et les vocalises.

Au moindre bruit, elle plonge aussitôt dans l'étang tout proche mais revient bien vite à la surface. Prudemment, elle remonte sur l'arbre et reprend son tintamarre.

SARZAY CASTLE

The castle of SARZAY built in the XIV C. was an imposing fortress in its time, comprising 38 round towers and 3 drawbridges.

As a fortress, it represented one of the defences against the english invaders between 1337-1453. The french romantic author George Sand's novel « Meunier d'Angibault » was inspired by the castle of Sarzay Fully furnished rooms in the castle have retained their original style. The towers of the castle provide a panoramic view of the entire landscape for miles around.

ARGENTON SUR CREUSE

CULAN Castle proudly standing on a steep crag has kept the look of a fortress intended to stand a siege. Joan Of Arc at the beginning of 1430, King Louis XI in 1465, the Marchioness de Sevigne, George Sand, Chopin and Renan stayed here. Besides stately rooms with very nice fireplaces dating from the 15^th C. We can visit the watcher rooms with outstanding frameworks and the hoardings made of wood; defence system of Middle Ages, settled on the top of the towers.

THE BERRY

In turn, plains, valleys, ponds, vineyards and forests, both countries – the cher and the Indre form the Berry offering their visitors a great variety of landscapes.

Groves, hills and dales, vast extended areas of moors and forests spinkled with ponds, great agricultural plains, vineyard area. All these represent the Sologne and the Brenne, wild valley of the Creuse or the serenity of the Val de Loire. There are vineyards of Sancerre, Mennetou Salon, Quincy, Reuilly and Valençay, their well exposed hills produce much appreciated vintages.

But the Berry is also a rich architectural and cultural patrimony, St Etienne cathedral in BOURGES and the abbeys of Fontgombault and Noirlac, castles and historical residences going from the feodals walls to the Renaissance castle, some of which are groupe together on itineraries like « La route Jacques Coeur » and La route François 1er, a multitude of roman churches which one of its finials is the collegiate church of Neuvy st sepulcre without forgetting little churches of Brinay or Vic offering nice frescos, the Gallo-Roman sight of Argentomagus and its museum or ruins of Crevant. Some of these historical sights serve as setting for animations of quality.

People who are fond of music could attend to « L'Eté Musical de Noirlac » or festival de Boucard to the organ recitals at Bourges cathedral in the Cher as well as the « Fêtes romantiques de Nohant » or the « Festival de Gargilesse where the harp is dominant and to the Musical impromptus in different places in the Indre.

Futhermore, a nightly show in Valençay castle is realised in which the region's inhabitants take part. One must not forget the Printemps de Bourges event of international notoriety, the festival Darc in Châteauroux (classical and modern dance) or the festival of experimental music whiche take place in Bourges in June.

Traditions stay alive and are present in the local folk festivities, especially for the meetings of Luth makers and bellringers form St Chartier, a famous international demonstration.

CHARLES VII CASTLE

There's very little left of this castle, which was sadly destroyed during Revolution, although in its time it was a marvellous example of gothic architecture, built by the Duc Jean de Berry. It was the favourite résidence of Charles VII.The general aspect was restituted in the engravign of the Très riches heures du Duc de Berry ».

Imposing ruins of the top of the old town near the meanders of Yèvre river.

OLERON - ILE DE RE - FOURAS - CHARENTE MARITIME

SAINT DENIS - acrylic painting by LODYA -

Saint Denis stands at the extreme northern end of the island, a point where the land is at the same time wild and yet tamed by man. The 54 meter high lighthouse, the Chassiron looks out over the vas open sea.

RE ISLAND - watercolour by LODYA -

It's undoubtnedly one of the jewels of the Charente-Maritime. The island is 35 km long and has been directly connected to the mainland by a bridget since 1988. There are many things here to enchant visitors : charming villages with their white houses, beaches, gardens, vineyards, oyster farming, etc...

Beaches, fishing ports, sleepy green-shuttered, hollyhocked villages, this is Ré Island : Platin (with ist salt museum), La Flotte, Les Portes, rive doux; La Couarde, St Clément des Baleines., the island's capital St Martin.

This charming little fishermen's harbour have intact walls citadel.

Bicycles are the best means of transport for exploring the beaches, fishing ports and sleepy green-shuterred, hollyhocked villages of Ile de Ré : Platin (with its salt museum), Les Portes, La Flotte, La Couarde, Rive doux, St Clément des Baleines... It has also some very chic, parisian priced boutiques, among other shops selling delicious chocolates, speciality salty caramels...

If you go to AIX ISLAND, stop at the shop of nacre jewels.
There's also the visit of the fabric

SAINT MARTIN DE RE, historic capital and administrative center of the island, is pleased to welcome visitors to its beautiful precints fortified by Vauban with an outstandingly rich archtectural and cultural heritage. St Martin enjoys one of the most delightful fishing and leisure ports with its small central island and inner harbour.

watercolour by LODYA

Every morning we did shopping at the supermarket. There we could buy fresh fish or crustaceans, delicious fruits and vegetables form Oléronnais gardens. We also could find summer clothes or swimming costumes, bikini, suntan oil or lotion, jewels in wood or stones....

BOYARDVILLE

Boyardville was the point of departure for the men and the materials that built Fort Boyard. The game show at Fort Boyard has rejuvenated the town.Its port welcomes numerous boats owners. Its long beaches, sheltered by the dunes and the pine forest, are a joy for children of all ages.

GRAND VILLAGE PLAGE

Situated near a long fine sandy beach, Grand Village is the smallest charming villages on the island. With an aim to reviving ancestral traditions, the town throught its Maison Paysanne (Peasant's House) has set up a folk group, a museum of traditional dress and headdress not forgetting the traditional old times salt harvest in Port des Salines.

Hollyhocks, tamarisks, mimosa and maritime pines have become symbols of OLERON. However, the most unusual and possibly the rarest, forms of plant life are to be found on the dunes and in the swamps :pearly everlasting, wallflowers, marsh samphire, etc... that adapt to try weather conditions (sand, wind and salt) with amazing ingenuity and perserverance.

RE ISLAND

This charming little fishermen's harbour have intact walls citadel.

SAINT PIERRE D'OLERON is rich in a past whose vestiges go as far back as the prehistoric era (domens familiarly know as the « galosh and Gargantua's spoon ». In recent years, St Pierre has been embellished and has expanded to become one of the liveliest towns on the island : pedestrian streets lined with shops make it a « must » for anyone with anything to sell or something to buy.

OLERON - La plus grande des îles du Ponant à l'extrémité ouest du continent européen OLERON la lumineuse est bien la perle des îles des côtes françaises de l'atlantique.

FORT CHAPUS

Built in 1691 under the reign of Louis XIV, between the island of Oléron and the mainland, Fort Louvois protected the souther access to the port of ROCHEFORT.

No sooner the bridget than the site of ST TROJAN's superb forest spreads out before on the left side. The town's reputation as a sea resort dates from the « Belle époque » and continues today with a Thalassotherapy Center that is open year round. The particular microclimate here coaxes the mimosa inot bloom as early as january.

La TRINITE

At 4 km from Carnac, this town is an authentic fishing village with its typical fishermen's houses overlooking the quay, boasts a worldivide know pleasure harbour, meeting place for sea lovers and famous skippers.

LA RESERVE NATURELLE DU MARAIS DE MOEZE The Moeze nature reserve is a meeting point for nature lovers. It's one of the largest and most important gathering sites for migrating and wintering water fowl. Discover the wetland's secret landscapes, and maybe catch a glimpse of their most exceptional visitors, such as the bluethroat or the european otter.

Built starting in 1666 on the orders of Louis XIV, the Corderie Royale was the biggest armaments factory in Europe in XVIIth century. In those days, rope was manufactured for the Navy. Today, the Corderie recounts the saga of thouse who sailed the oceans Close by L' Hermione, La Fayette's frigate is under reconstruction

LA COTINIERE

The fishing port of La Cotinière that opens out on the Atlantic, is a rallying point of tourists who come to contemplate one of the most pictuesque sites on the island. Fishing boats are high in local colour, with their brithtly-couloured boats, fish market, lively streets and shops and the festival of the sea every august.

Do you know AIX ISLAND ? It's a crescent-shaped of 2 miles long located just off the french coast near AUNIS; in the heart of charente archipelago : Ile de Ré, Ile d'Oléron and Ile Madame. Aix has surprisingly different landscapes and a very colourful village with a multitude of hollyhocks. A fortified village with souvenirs of Napoleon times, guarded by the Fort Boyard wit access by boat from Fouras. We can visit on foot, by bicycle or carriage. The light automobile traffic makes it a place of relaxation and perfect calmness. A moderate and mild climate gives the island a mediterranean like vegetation (pines, tamarisks, holm oaks).

-Ostreicole huts -

We admire the coastline and visit the Fort of Chapus, the fortifications of the Châteua, the site of Saint Trojan and look at the ballet of the boats loaded with oysters as the tide brings them back to their homes the "cabanes" of the oysters farmers which line the coast.

The charm of Oléron works through the mildness of its climate, which brings the mimosa into blossom as early as the end of january, the variety of its landscapes, and its picturesque little villages with their low houses and narrow streets.

No sooner the bridge that the site of ST TROJAN's superb forest spreads out before you on your left. The town's reputation as a sea resort dates from the "BELLE EPOQUE" and continues today with a thalassotherapy center that is open year-round. The particular microclimate here coaxes the mimosa into bloom as early as january.

La BREE broke off from ST GEORGES in 1953 to take its fate into its own hands. From the port of Le Douhet at ST DENIS stretch beaches and rocky shoals bathed by calm waters of the strait. Next to the old village, residences, hotels and campgrounds call attention to the town's growth, as la BREE actractively develops green open areas and promenades to become a charming seaside resort

The fishing port of LA COTINIERE is a rallying point of tourists who come to contemplate one of the most picturesque sites on the island.
The island's only port that opens out on the Atlantic, la COTINIERE remains reserved for fishing boats. It's high in local colour, with its brightly-coloured boats, fish market, lively streets and shops and the festival of the sea every august.

The low and white houses where shutters change tones and tint in the course of the seasons where the yellow of the mimosa sometimes "steals" the speed star from holyhocks

This historic city has beautiful arcades and many fine examples of 18th century architecture that serve as a major attraction for touriists. Three medieval towers overlook the old port.

The fishing port of La Cotiniere is a rallying point of tourists who come to contemplate one of the most picturesques sites on the island.

The island's only port that opens out on the Atlantic. La Cotinière remains reserved for fishing boats. It's high in local colour, whith its brightly-coloured boats, fish market, lively streets and shops and the Festival of the Sea every August.

9,99 €

Jolie Aquarelle Oleron Cabanes Ostreicoles/Watercolour...: Comme Neuf; aquarelle OLERONCABANES OSTREICOLES; Voir ma boutique

Egalement sur PriceMinister : Peinture Paysage marin, Billet D'avion Pas Cher

SAINT TROJAN LES BAINS No sooner the bridget than the site of ST TROJAN's superb forest spreads out before on the left side. The town's reputation as a sea resort dates from the « Belle époque » and continues today with a Thalassotherapy Center that is open year round. The particular microclimate here coaxes the mimosa inot bloom as early as january.

15,90 €

Aquarelle Oleron Fort Boyard/Watercolour: Comme Neuf; AQUARELLE OLERON FORT BOYARD/WATERCOLOUR; Voir ma boutique

Retrouvez également avec PriceMinister : Peinture Paysage marin, Voyage Italie

BOYARDVILLE Boyardville was the point of departure for the men and the materials that built Fort Boyard. The game show at Fort Boyard has rejuvenated the town.Its port welcomes numerous boats owners. Its long beaches, sheltered by the dunes and the pine forest, are a joy for children of all ages.

FOURAS (its Fort, it's oyster-farming area and its wetlands)

Transformed into a lighthouse by Admiral Jacob after the Battle of the the Brulots. From the terrace to the dugeon overlooking the sea 36 m below, in fair weather it's an outsanding viewpoint toward Rochefort, the Marennes belfry, the mouth of the Charente, the four islands, the forts the coast from La Pallice, Fouras and the hinterland.

Two tables of orientation help to discover this magnificent panorama.

Jolie Aquarelle Oleron Cabanes Ostreicoles/Watercolour Ostreicoles Huts - Peinture - Achat et vente

15,90 €

Jolie Aquarelle Oleron Cabanes Ostreicoles/Watercolour...: Comme Neuf; JOLIE AQUARELLE format 20x30datée et signée par l'artiste COTATION DROUOT; Voir ma boutique

Découvrez aussi avec PriceMinister : Peinture Paysage marin, Renault Megane Occasion

La BREE broke off from St Georges in 1953 to take its fate inot its own hands. From the port of Le Douhet at St Denis stretch beaches and rocky shoals bathed by calm waters of the strait. Next to the old village, residences, hotels and campgrounds call attention to the town's growth, as la Brée attractively develops green open areas and promenades to become a charming seaside resort.

AIX ISLAND

L'Ile d'Aix is a small charming island with an illustrious past, marked by the memory of Napoleon the first. The light automobile trafic makes it a place of relaxation and perfect calmness.

The island is a crescent of lowlands, having 5 km of coast, with a surface area of 129 ha. A moderate and mild climate gives the Island a Mediterranean like vegetation (pines, tamarisks, holm oaks).

LA ROCHELLE : a gracious life style

It would be unthinkable to go to the CHARENTE MARITIMES without visiting its capital city. La ROCHELLE. This historic city has beautiful arcades and many fine examples of 18^th century architecture that serve as a major attraction for tourists. Three medieval towers overlook the old port. La Rochelle can boast of beaches, an aquarium, an oceanographic museum and the nearby commercial port of La Pallice, from which one has a commanding view of Ile de Ré.

BRETAGNE - BRITANNY

Watercolour by LODYA

In Carnac alone there are roughly 3000 menhirs. These alignments of stones were probably a place of workship.

Carnac

The alignements of Carnac, erected around 4500 B.C. Form the largest megalithic site in the world. More than 6000 artefacts selected for their scientific interest as well as their aesthetic qualities. These testimonies of the past allow to better know the everyday life to the inhabitants of Carnac who develt in the area a long time ago.

The megaliths construction period lasted roughly form 4500 until 2000 BC it's called the Neolithic period. This architecture is divided in menhirs or standing stones, dolmens and umuli. Domens and tumuli had a funerary purpose, they were collective or individual tombs.

The wild coast is manificent, a listed site, but it's also dangerous ,The gulf of Morbihan : The small interior sea with 40 islands and islets stretches over 12000 ha. It's a genuine bird reserve, a paradise for yachtsmen and a priviledged area for oyster farming. Several boats companies stop on the Arz island.

Quiberon : this 14 km long peninsula is a land of contrasts. On its western shore, exposed to the winds and a rough sea, stretches the « Cote sauvage » whislt on the eastern side, a succession of protected beaches, green wooded areas and a calm sea show two different worlds.

Ile d'ARZ This island, rural and a lush green is surrounded by indentations in the coastline, creating a large number of beaches. The island's greatest asset is the superb coastal path allowing you to make a complete tour around it, stopping it will to gaze upon the Gulf's stunning panoramas.

The island measures 17 km by 9 km and has an average altitude of 40 m. The area is about 84 km². The coasts are a mixture between dangerously sharp cliff edges on the southwest side, the Côte Sauvage (Wild coast), and placid beaches, the largest being les Grands Sables (The great sands) and navigable harbours on the northeast side. The island's climate is oceanic, having less rain and milder winters than on the mainland.

The two main ports are Le Palais (accessible by ferry from Quiberon) and Sauzon (accessible by ferry from Quiberon and Lorient).

There used to be forests on the island, but these have long disappeared due to increasing agricultural use of the land.

BELLE ILE - BRETAGNE

La pointe des Poulains

Overhung by a charming automatised lighthouse the site including the islet of 'Les Poulains » and Sarah Bernhardt's property, displays a breathtaking sea view.

The big kervilahouen light-house which started its service in 1836 is 52 m high. One can reach its lantern after climbing its 213 steps

ISLANDS – Ile aux Moines

This island is the best-known and most densely populated in the gulf. Laid out in the form of a cross, this island offers a great number of hikes and bicycles rides to take. With one-storey fishermen's houses and beautiful granite houses, it's a real pleasure to see. The luxurious and half-wild vegetation, as well as its great variety of landscapes make up the charm of this island, nick-named « The Pearl of the Gulf »

BELLE ILE EN MER

By far the largest of the breton islands, it ownes its name to its beauty and the diversity of its landscapes. Bedlle Ile offers two very distincly different coastlines. The coast facing the open sea is rocky wild and craggy with waves crashing relentlessly againts its cliffs. Belle Ile benfits from a particularly sunny and mild climate thanks to the gulf stream current. Many painters and artists have been there : Matisse, Monet, …. Port coton needles the famous painter Claude Monet immortalised the fascinating beauty of these craggy rocks, whose name comes from the foam which flies everywhere in enormous flakes when gales are blowing.

AURAY

Picturesque Auray is rich in history. Over the small bridge leading to the other side of the river, is the quaint old port of St Goustan. Along the riverside and up its narrow streets discover the picturesque half timbered houses.

Sainte Anne d'Auray : Historical and religious highspot since ste anne's apparition, the town welcomes the largest breton pilgrimage in its VIIItyh C basilica.

à découvrir sur http://lodya.artgallery.free.fr

9,99 €

Jolie Aquarelle Neuve: Comme Neuf; Art Déco; jolie aquarelle réalisée par l'artisteformat carte postale; Voir ma boutique

Egalement sur PriceMinister : decoration interieur, Voyages Discount

PLOUHARNEL Fine sandy beaches, salty sensations, surfing, body boarding, wave skiing, beach sailing... eating oysters. Discover the authenticity of the old town with its traditional houses of XVIe and XVIIe C. and its narrow alleys, its two benedictive abbeys, its menhirs and dolmens of its celtic crosses, fourntaines and chapels.

PROVENCE

COLLIOURE is a Tourist city of Roussillon located on the Vermilion Coast, Collioure (as a Cotlliure Catalan) has as communes bordering: Argelès-sur-mer, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Port-Vendres. Old village of fishermen, famous for its anchovies, Collioure is also appraisal of the painters (Derain, Georges Braque, Othon Friesz, Matisse…) who enjoy in immortaliser his royal castle, its lanes and its coupled picturesque church with a bell-tower built on an old medieval lathe of guet. Collioure is a commercial port and a seaside resort.

AUVERGNE

“

SOLOGNE

RIVIERA

Site :: http://lodya.artgallery.free.fr/

AQUITAINE

LA DUNE DU PILAT

LES PYRENEES

collioure harbour

Chapelle de LURS

Take the pleasant lane which cuts between the magnificent hills of the Luberon and you'll climb gracefully up to the village of Lurs perched on a green and verdant spur, overlooking the Durance valley.

Just before you arrive in the village, from the lane you'll have a superb view over the entire village of Lurs, the olive groves which cascade down the slopes and the village houses grouped higgle piggledy together in the village...