A Week in Nord and Picardy

Day 1

I left the house in Dives sur Mer at 8 and was able to stop at Dieppe for the morning market. I bought olives and strawberries!

I drove up the coast with quick stops in various towns along the way. I stopped for lunch at Ault. I am tired today and arrived at the house at 3:10 pm. I went to the little tavern at the crossroads and picked up the key from the tavern owner, per instructions. I opened and explored the house. It is a long series of rooms, with TV room on one end, then kitchen bedroom, stairway, bathroom, and then upstairs bedrooms. I had some wine and bread, cheese and olives for dinner. I read through the house instructions and watched some TV before going to bed.

Day 2

I slept until 8 and still feel tired. About 10 I decided to go for a little drive. I went to Hesdin-Marconne and the InterMarche is open from 9-12 on Sunday. So I got a few groceries. I also found a Patisserie open and bought some more bread and croissants.

I drove on to Montreuil and walked the ramparts.

I went to the beach at Berck-sur-Mer and walked along the beach. They have some land sailing craft, but there is no wind and they are closed for lunch. It is also a club, so I don't see an opportunity for rental.

I stopped for a raspberry ice cream that was really good, then drove on to Le Touquet and the beach there. I returned to the house. The drive today showed me some good ways to go out from the house, and where I can easily get groceries and gas.

Day 3

I left the house a little after 7 and because of a few detours it took me a little longer to get to Arras then Laon a hilltop town. I walked around and visited the Cathedral. I really enjoyed the views.

I drove onto Reims. There is construction all around the Cathedral, so it was impossible to find a really great spot to take a picture. The Cathedral is amazing! Since the 11th century all the kings of France have been crowned here.

I stopped at Chateau de Pierrefonds on the way home. It is awesome!

I drove to Claire de la Armistice for a brief stop before going to Beauvais to see the astronomical clock. The clock has 90,000 parts! I missed the show that they have, but the clock is amazing!

I finally got back to the house at 8. I made a few wrong turns on my way home.

Day 4

The expected rain is holding off another day, so I have decided to drive to Calais.

On the way I stopped at Le Coupole which is a World War II Museum inside a converted bunker.

I went to the Cathedral in St-Omer to see the organ, and found another astronomical clock! The organ is really amazing!

I drove on the outskirts of Dunkerque and to Calais. My primary intent is to see the Rodin sculpture of the Burghers of Calais in Calais. I have seen them in various forms in the Rodin Museum in Paris. They are right beside the Hotel de Ville in a little square/garden. The architecture of the Hotel is interesting and I really liked the clock chime.

I went down to La Plage in hopes of being able to look across the channel to Dover, but there was a big fog bank off shore. In 1990 I had looked from Dover to Calais, now I have attempted to do the opposite.

I had a panini for lunch and sat and looked out on the Channel. I watched a ferry arrive from Dover.

I drove south down the coast, stopping here and there for a break and to enjoy the scenery. I stopped briefly in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, but the old town was crowded and I couldn't find a place to park. Sometimes driving in cities can be pretty stressful, so I decided it was one of those times and started for the house.

There was a jetty with wind powered turbines, that was something I had not seen before.

I walked down to the cafe/tavern for a beer and to find out what time they open on Saturday so that I can drop off the key. The owner speaks only a little English, so I had written down a phase in advance to read to her asking when they open.

Day 5

I stopped a Parc Sumara to see the "standing stones", I did not care for the stones but the gardens were nice and I had a nice stroll.

In Ameins I visited the largest cathedral in France. The main altar was amazing and there was a labyrinth. I bought two rosaries. This really is an amazing cathedral!

I visited the Museum to the Great War (WW I) in Peronne.

I had intended to spend the rest of the day in Arras, but I did not have any good experiences there. The underground parking garage was difficult to find parking and the spaces very small, I had a hard time with the car, and even harder time parking, I eventually gave up, and had a hard time getting up the steep hill to the exit only to find no attendant. I very nice man helped me to finally exit. By that time I was ready to flee! So I drove back to the house.

Day 6

I drove north to Lille, but got a little lost going through Bethane. I eventually arrived at the Palais des Beaux Arts, and found out it is FREE today! They had one sculpture by Camille Claudel and several by Rodin.

I stopped and walked around the Citadel, but did not find it very interesting so I drove back to the house.

Day 7

I am very tired again, so I stayed home today and read all day, cleaned the house and packed for the drive to Paris in the morning.