Invitation To France, Vignettes-6

Chapter 11 Alsace

Strasbourg … half-timbered buildings, dams and locks for the canals, stone streets, bridges, huge old shade trees, flowers everywhere, along with the customary antique and tourist markets, some street-side, others inside stores

Spindler … Marquetry … Hundreds of veneer-thin pieces of wood … no paint, stains, or varnish are used. Wood grain is … positioned to show the texture of streets, buildings, and the sky.

Chapter 12 Les Alpes, Central France

Pérouges … From the verandah of the museum we could gaze over the old vine-covered buildings. Large trees shade the square, flower boxes grace the window sills, and wisteria twists from building to building along the ancient stone streets.

Oradour sur Glane … At the entrance to the old town there is a sign with only the words, “SOUVIENS-TOI, REMEMBER.”

Sarlat … The city’s tone is set by the warm, cream colored, perhaps straw colored stone used for everything from paving stones, to flat roof tiles.

Rocamadour … An ride, or 216 steps below the Place St.-Amadour, there’s a colorful confusion of gateways, old houses and stores on Rocamadour’s main street.

Cahors … locks and dams to facilitate boat traffic. … Jim pointed and told Emmy, “There’s the locks.” Her response, “Wonderful, where are the cream-cheese and bagels.”