Some Fun Facts

In preparation for leaving for France, I'm dedicating a little time each week to learn more about the area that I will be visiting. It's weird to think that I will have to pack and prepare for a month! This seems a like a daunting task for me, as I am a notorious over-packer. I will have help with a check list from USC as well as many travel tips from various travel-blogs that I follow, to guide me through this task. I'm sure my mother will be my good judgement on this as well. So this week I did some research on the weather for the month of June, any local places that are must-sees and some various local favorites, starting in Paris.


P.S. The cafe Au Bureau in my title photo is my professor's "office" where he said we can find him during several office hours a week. He said he would be willing to help with tips, classes, or advice. He did however say he would probably be found sipping on a drink. It is summer vacation after all.

I can handle this weather. It's been so hot everywhere already, that I'm hoping it will be on the higher side of this. Another site I looked at has the predicted average around 69 degrees this summer. As long as it's sunny I'm happy.

Places to see in Paris:

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Located at the summit of the butte Montmarte, the highest point in the city.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Most popular tourist site in Paris, 13 million people visit annually.

I would love to make it to Versailles. This most likely won't happen in my 3 days there, but perhaps I can convince someone to make a weekend trip to see it with me!

Fun Fact #1: You have to ask for your check when you want to leave in Paris. If your waiter brings it to you before you have asked, it is considered very rude. L'addition s'il vous plait.

 With chocolate shops, bakeries, and cheese, I would worry about gaining weight. Luckily, I'll have to walk everywhere! I really don't mind this since it will give me lots of time to take pictures and explore the cities that I will be in.

Montmartre: many people I have talked to have told me to go here because I like the arts and city-subcultures. We'll see if this is true, but I hope to dedicated some time wandering around here.

I'm going to have to get used to using these. Hopefully I don't get lost anywhere. I'm sure Dr. Persels will help with getting us acclimated and show us where to go.

Fun Fact #2: Located on the lower reaches of the Loire River between Orléans and the Atlantic coast, Tours (pop. 142,000) is the largest city in the Loire Valley.

Fun Fact #3: The surrounding Touraine region is known for its wines, its châteaux, and for the unaccented perfection of its spoken French. 

This is good for practice, but I know I'll have an accent (je suis tres desole!)

Fun Fact #4:  St. Martin was the Bishop of Tours from 371 to 397. Gregory of Tours was a church historian and bishop in the 6th century (he kept a history of the buildings and people that were wiped out in the Revolution).


Wines in Tours
Most of the wines from this region, red and white, are light and crisp, and easy to enjoy. Bubbly wines from this region are considered by some to be the great value in Sparkling Wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are the predominant white grapes and the Red and Rose wines are almost always made from Cabernet Franc.

Next time, I'll focus more on Tours, the chateaux, the food, the culutre. Until then...

à bientôt

(Photos from Google Images, Mr. and Mrs. Globetrot)