Narbonne, France August 2026

 I'm glad we missed the Paris protests this summer,  but saddened at the images I'm seeing.

We took the train from Paris to Narbonne, a bit over 4 hours.  We splurged and rented a villa at Chateau Capitoul, a wine chateau about 15 minutes away from where the wedding our kids were attending was held.  We later heard out Chateau was better!

It was heaven having our own pool, kitchen and washing machine, 2 bedrooms upstairs, one downstairs and the creme de la creme was a grill on the deck.  The Chateau has room service and delivers marinated shish-kebabs that you can grill.  Next to the car rental was a Hallel grocery store that sold not only marinated shish-kebabs but all kinds of meats and fruits.  We had fun grilling and drinking the wine grown on the estate.  Even though there were gourmet restaurants on site it was more relaxing to eat in.

Grandmother and granddaughter living their best lives in the infinity pool

I cherish our family time

We took a wine tour and really love their Reds

There was a 40 minute bike ride to the local salt mine which was too far.  Little did I know I was almost there!

Hubby loved buying cantaloupes for €1 at the Hallel market & went back to get another  

We enjoyed this seafood restaurant!  Want to go back.  L'ecailler Gourmet

You choose your own seafood.  This is what we chose

We went to Europe's larges buffet and the best thing I had was cassoulet.  It has a Guinness Book of World Record sized cheese room

The biggest attraction in Narbonne is the market, Les Halles where we bought cheese, fruit and rice balls filled with cheese!

Mighty ugly fish

Until next time Narbonne.

In case you want to know the location

Paris 2026 Post #3. The best vacations have few solid plans.

Just wander and get lost in the city.

I heard kids could rent a remote controlled boat at the Jardin du Luxembourg and my kids saw there were pony rides there so off we went!

Granddaughter had to wear a hairnet under the nasty helmet, and then it rained on us as we proudly paraded around the park

well, they weren't remote control they were wind controlled and you got a stick to push it

a bunch of 3 years olds running around with sticks

Tangine!

We'd never stayed in this Bastille area before.  Near the Opera House

Had to visit the renovated Notre Dame, so we went early in the morning to avoid lines

A plus-had never been to Saint Chapelle and felt it was even more fascinating than Notre Dame!

After so many visits to Paris we finally visited the Palais de Justice, an old jail where revolutionary prisoners were held.  Learned so much history.   

Today, its a working court and we saw judges in full robes and court rooms in session

Had such fond memories of Bouillon Pharamond but it was so disappointing. Escargot owever are never disappointing.

Outside the Hotel de Ville

Great memories

We loved the apt!

Paris August 2026: Monet's Giverny

Day 2 

I ventured on the train to Monet's Giverny by myself because no one else was interested.  I loved it, Impressionism is my favorite genre.

I found a great blog that gave you step by step instructions on how to take the train, ticket to buy etc.

I had a 10am ticket and I rushed to the lily pond before it got crowded.  I didn't know waterlilies were in bloom in August/September so HOW LUCKY WAS I?  Imagine going and not knowing there's be no waterlilies?  

It rained but the clouds and gloomy feel of the day made beautiful reflections on the pond.  I toured Monet's house and the gardens and went back to the pond for a second round and it was much more crowded then.

The lady in the gift shop gave me the wrong time for the 20 minute bus ride back to the train station (weekday vs. weekend) and I had a 50 minute wait so walked back for a snack.  I met a man who said usually the train/shuttle bus was synced but because it was a weekend and lunchtime, schedules were off.  After waiting forever for the bus back, I had to wait an hour at the train station for the train back.  Luckily I had my book and will remember reading The Correspondent on this trip.  I mentioned to my Pilates class that I wanted to read this so badly but only in paperback on my trip.  A Pilates student went home to get it and returned with her paperback copy within one hour (HOW NICE WAS THAT?)

Son #2 found this restaurant right around the corner, known for Alsatian food. Bofinger.  Big pork knuckles and sauerkraut.  I walked there and asked for a reservation at 6:30 but they said it was fully booked, but come back at 6:30.  Good we got a table, bad we weren't a priority and had to wait a long time.  As I look back now, its a famous restaurant.

We always forget which oysters we like so to remember...we had the Oyster Tasting and liked the Gillardeau the best.

Look how big that pork knuckle is!

Our apt was near the Arc de Bastille and granddaughter enjoyed looking at the "fairy godmother" on top