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Spend a Day with Me in Dinan, Brittany
It is the beginning of February, and we are midway through the “grey days of winter”. The days are getting noticeably longer and the promise of spring is within sight. Today, we happen to be blessed with clear, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. While I need to put on several layers on from head to toe just to take a brief walk with my dog, I am happy to breathe in the brisk air and feel the sunshine on my face. As often happens, my mind drifts off to my beloved Brittany, and what I would be doing if I were there today. I imagine that I’m in the…
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Best of 2020
Yes, I know, the title is somewhat …. interesting. Did we have a best of anything in 2020?! Like many of you, I had goals and plans for the year that went, shall we say, a little off course due to a little thing called Covid 19. For one, I planned to spend spring break and the summer holiday in Brittany. I would have taken you along on my many adventures, we would have tasted delicious cuisine, and we would have learned some useful French phrases along the way. Alas, this was not the year for adventure. No, this was a year to just keep going, and some days, even…
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Why Brittany?
If Paris is the heart of France, then I dare to say Brittany is its soul. That is a rather bold – and perhaps controversial – statement given Brittany’s history with France, but I’m going to say it anyway. At least that is how Brittany feels to me. While it would take considerably more time and pages than one blog post to say why I believe that to be true, I’ll try to summarize it here in a few paragraphs. The Climate Brittany is green and lush, thanks to its moderate oceanic climate. It just feels good, like you’re wrapped in a warm green blanket. I have visited Brittany at…
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A Dreamy Day in Brittany
Facebook and Instagram love to remind me that for the last several years I’ve spent my summers in France. My “memories” pop up of the places I’ve visited, people I’ve been with, things I’ve eaten. It’s usually a treat to look back on those photos, but this summer it has been both bitter and sweet to do so. I’m sure many others can relate. Today, just before slipping into full-on longing mode, I realized that I can go anywhere, anytime as a mental traveler. I can take snippets from my years of travel and piece together a beautiful day. In fact, since this is a daydream, I can go for…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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12 Day Itinerary: Brittany, Normandy, and Paris
I don’t know about you, but I miss traveling. I miss it like one misses an old friend. I’ve had a sense of wanderlust for decades, and while I am capable of being happy at home, I long for adventure. I miss my friends and my beloved Brittany. I miss hearing French in the streets and in the shops. I even miss the airport, and that’s saying something. To travel is to be pushed out of our comfort zone, to discover new places, and meet new people. There really isn’t anything better, in my opinion. I know this too shall pass, and, like many, I’m dreaming of the day in…
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A Day in Paimpol, Bretagne
Paimpol is a lovely coastal town located in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. During the summer months, tourists flock to Paimpol for its exquisite beaches and charming port. La Plage de la Tossen, for example, is just a quick walk from town and a favorite for those with young children. Stopping first at the port, I take everthing in: the smells coming from the water, soft sounds of metal clanking, coming from the boats that are tossing a bit in the breeze. From this vantage point, I can imagine well painters standing just here, their easels set up to consider the boats in the foreground and the old buildings behind,…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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The Many Things I Love About France
There are so many things I love about France: the history, the culture, the people, the language, the food, the art, the music…. I could go on for days. Instead of telling you, I would love to show you some of the little treasures I have found on my daily walks. As we can’t travel to France at the moment, I will take you on a virtual tour of past trips, and share with you just some of the delights to be found in this incredible country. For example, this little bicycle, parked near a post, sporting some beautiful flowers and flags for good measure. In Paris, I found the…
