France Archives

The Bayeux Tapestry, Normandy, France

March 3, 2025January 21, 2015 by Tom Bartel

The Bayeux Tapestry was the medieval equivalent of a newspaper, or at least a speech by a politician. It tells the story in pictures and words of the rationale and the history behind the Norman Conquest of England. In fact, William the Conquerer, the Norman duke who defeated the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and assumed the throne of England, had the thing done only a couple of years later so he could explain to everyone his side of what happened and how a French guy ended up as King of England.

Our 2014 Travels in 50 Photos

October 20, 2023January 8, 2015 by Tom Bartel

2014 was our biggest year of traveling yet. We visited 19 countries, including a long driving trip in the western United States. We saw, in order, the United States, Belgium, … Read more

The Battlefield of Pointe du Hoc, France

October 20, 2023December 22, 2014 by Tom Bartel

The seaside cliff called Pointe du Hoc, overlooking Omaha and Utah beaches in Normandy, was the site of some of the fiercest D-Day fighting.

American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

February 22, 2024December 20, 2014 by Tom Bartel

This is the second time we’ve visited the Omaha Beach Cemetery. The first time was in 2007.

The Dominican Church, Colmar, France

February 21, 2016December 17, 2014 by Tom Bartel

The Dominican Church in Colmar, France was built in the 14th Century. There was a time it was not used as a church, then again it was, and then again … Read more

Shopping Galeries Lafayette in Paris

March 11, 2015December 3, 2014 by Kristin Henning

You could make a list of top lists of best places to shop in Paris. There are hundreds of boutiques and neighborhoods that might merit ‘Best Of’ lists. And there … Read more

Forget it Jake, It’s France

October 20, 2023November 24, 2014 by Tom Bartel

The French have a different way of doing business. Try not to get frustrated. First, stop thinking like an American.

Mont Saint Michel in the Distance, France

March 11, 2015November 14, 2014 by Tom Bartel

There’s so much construction going on at Mont Saint Michel monastery off the coast of Normandy that the better photos of the exterior are probably shot from a distance. Like … Read more

Edith Piaf’s Grave, Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

October 20, 2023November 13, 2014 by Tom Bartel

We visited the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris on November 11, which is still known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in Europe. It’s a day in which not only … Read more

Chartres Cathedral, France

May 16, 2016June 14, 2014 by Tom Bartel

Nothing says Gothic like butresses, unless of course it’s spindly decorated spires. And, if you want perhaps the best example of Gothic architecture in the world, that’s Chartres Cathedral. I … Read more

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