Linda's Journal
April, 2004

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April 1st or Poisson d'Avril as they say here.

Spring is everywhere in Paris and walking through the parks is a breathtaking adventure. It is in the 60's every day now. I am hoping this doesn't mean a repeat of last summer's record breaking heat.

This was in Luxemburg Gardens

This one is the Tuleries garden. Note the blue skies and sunshine.

St Etienne du Mont is one of my favorite churches with a rare rood screen.

April 13th

A fairly quiet Easter here in Provence. On Monday we went to Isle Sur la Sorgue to see a huge antique brochante. Everything is way out of our range, but it was fun to look. The town itself is criss-crossed with canals and streams and many water wheels. Afterwards we visited some friends of Maurice's and tulips were being grown in a field across from the house for bulbs. I guess they let them bloom first and then harvest them.

Water wheel in Isle sur la Sorgue

I thought these colors were great at this cafe.

I didn't even look at the price of this although I kind of like it but wouldn't fit the style of our place.

View of tulips. Brilliant red ones were way in the distance. We picked some.

April 14th.

We drove to Carpentras on a really nice spring day here. On the map it doesn't look very far but with two lane roads, lots of curves and many round abouts, it took us about an hour and a half. The town itself, like many in France, has an old section that was interesting to explore.

A cathedral there with a huge variety of styles.

The round ball in the center has rats on it for a reason lost in time.

In the back of the church is a Roman arch from the 11th century.

A great covered gallery.

Next we stopped at Pernes les Fontaines, home of 40 fountains, 5 of which are historical monuments. It was a very nice town, clean and prosperous, full of narrow lanes to explore with a map from the tourist center.

A gate entering one part of the city.

One of the 40 fountains.

Narrow street with fountain at the end.

Wysteria is starting to bloom in Provence, but this happens to be painted on the building.

April 30th

We have had some brillant, beautiful sunny days in Paris. Absolutely perfect days that make it a pleasure to get outside.

This is over a metro stop at Palais Royal

This girl was posing for her boyfriend atop a pole at Palais Royal

French sailors behind Notre Dame who let me take their photo.

And the wonderful, fragrant wysteria is blooming all over Paris.