FRANCE & BELGIUM

I was able to travel to Paris, Versailles, Rouen and Bruges by myself in July 2021, between COVID waves. I was able to visit some familiar haunts as well as other places I’ve been meaning to visit but never have.

Day 1

I visited the crypt beneath Notre Dame, which was thankfully open despite the renovations happening above ground. It was fun to see some Lutetian ruins. I’d never been here before!

Next I visited the Conciergerie which was a lot of fun for me. It was on my to do list when I came in 2017 and 2020 but both times it got bumped for something else. I enjoyed seeing the cells and the room dedicated to Le Terreur.

I was able to go to the Louvre to see my favorite paintings. They missed me! Le Mort de Marat, though not the original, is always haunting and beautiful. Lady Liberty Leading the Republic is another favorite.

Musée d’Orsay was a new museum I’ve not seen before. It was interesting, but not my favorite. I did enjoy the giant clock though!

Day 2

I went to Bruges for the first time ever. It was beautiful! I definitely want to return. I loved walking around and eating everything I could see. Belgian waffles and real frites are so delicious! Depla Chocolatier is definitely my favorite now. I tried to climb the Belfry but without railings on the outside of the stairwell (aka the widest part for your foot) I felt unsafe and turned around halfway. This is in no way related to my fear of heights. Saint John’s Hospital is also worth the visit!

Day 3

Versailles. My home away from home. I absolutely love it. I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of attending the private tour and fireworks show. Watching the actors dance, the live orchestra, the pyrotechnics outside in the jardins, and the spectacle of each fountain was a sight to behold. It was indescribably beautiful!

Day 4

I took the train to Rouen. Rouen is where my ancestors are from, so it was interesting to walk around and see places they may have seen. The Rue de Gros Horloge was beautiful, and I even snuck in to see the mini museum about it! I was unaware there was a museum, and I’m glad I stumbled upon it.

Rouen Cathedral was beautiful. There is a reason Monet painted it so many times!

My favorite part of Rouen was the ossuary. A remnant from the Black Plague, the storage area for infected corpses was eerie and ghostly. It was also hosting a concert in the grass while I was there. Probably not what the ancestors expected to become of the wood-beamed structure carved with gravedigger’s tools and skulls.

Day 5

I drove out to Mont Saint Michel and only stalled my stick-shift rental once! Ta da! It was a bucket list activity, and probably something I wont do again unless I live near to it. It is far away! Stopping at a dodgy french truck stop (which was also a bar…?) to ask for the toilet is definitely an interesting life experience. The abbey was amazing and the history of it was so interesting!

Day 6

Back to Paris for a few more tourist spots. I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower simply because I could. I was terrified and almost fainted on the elevator to the sommet but I didn’t, so that’s a plus.

I was able to visit L’Hôtel de la Marine since it was newly opened. It’s the French Navy’s headquarters during the 18th century (and more, but that’s all I care to remember) and it was designed by the same guy who did Versailles. You could see all of the decorator similarities in the ceiling, paneling, and floors.

Lastly I visited Les Invalides. I’d seen Napoleon’s tomb before but that was it. This time I saw a special collection about Napoleon and it was fascinating! I tend to avoid Napoleon’s reign simply because it seems to be every male French historian’s specialty, and I don’t have the same fascination with military history as they do. It was still enthralling to learn about his similitude to Jesus Christ (according to his faithful followers, anyways) and how this view was reflected in art pieces about him. I didn’t spend too much time in the military portion of the museum, but it was interesting nonetheless!