2010 Outside of Paris

After Paris, we picked up our rental car from the airport. Ahh - to be driving the open road! We had a general plan to wander north towards the Champagne region. As we enjoyed the open countryside, we drove through small and charming villages, endless fields and forests, all green and lush. Then, our jaws dropped as we stumbled upon this view.

Chateau de Chantilly, originally destroyed by the French Revolution, and then rebuilt in the late 1800s.

This beautiful estate was the site of the James Bond movie, A View to a Kill. There is a grand horse stable nearby, where the town of Chantilly is built adjoining it.

We took a quick tour of the chateau and grounds, impressed with the collection of artwork.

Then, we were on our way --

We headed to Epernay, in the Champagne region, north of Paris. We toured the great house of Moet et Chandon, one of the premiere champagneries, where we joined a tour. While Epernay is not particularly interesting city, the champagnery was nice to visit.

Here's old Dom Perignon - there is a real person behind the famous champagne!

One of the historic rooms where Napoleon came to stay at the home of Mssr. Moet.

The dark, cool underground caves of Moet et Chandon, some are hundreds of years old. You could get lost down here!

Dom Perignon champagne - slowly aging for a minimum of 3 years - just to be drunken down with abandon in minutes!

Driving around in this region, we noticed signs of memorials and cemeteries throughout the region. It was also not uncommon to find statues of soldiers of WWI standing in town squares. It was hard to believe that ferocious battles even took place in this now peaceful and scenic place.

. We stumbled across this monument honoring the WWI American and French soldiers. Sitting atop of a green hill, overlooking the valley, it was a quiet spot to stop and reflect the war efforts of both countries.

This was built in 1929. Unfortunately, no one knew another war was coming to be fought here again.

And it was here, walking about, looking up, trying to capture a photo, that I stepped into a drain and went tumbling over. Fortunately I ended up with only a bruised knee and ego. I must be more careful!