On the road to Giverny (10/12/13)in the Champagne Region

One of the really good things about a less structured trip is that you can take little side roads and might just run into something interesting. This is what happened on our way to Giverny. There was this arched bridge that Jennifer wanted to see an arched bridge...which we never found...but we found other things instead :)

Admittedly, I didn't note the names (or the towns for that matter) on some of these, but they are still well worth the stop.

Jeanne wanted a picture of this side of a building (remember it is in champagne region) showing grape pickers.

One really great place on the champagne road is the Memorial of Dormans. It is a memorial for those who fought from 1914-1918. It is on the same land as a chateau but the memorial is definitely the thing to see. (Doesn't hurt...yes it does, oh my aching knees...that you can climb up the narrow staircase in the tower to get some wonderful views of the area around).

After the memorial it was time to get back on the road again...so much more to see.

I found it interesting that rather than just placing flowers on the graves, family and friends would place plaques displaying their love for the departed person.

Sadly this was a 9 year old, but so much love is shown on the displays.

Along with death, there is life. This is a fern growing out of the wall surrounding the cemetery and church. Below is a tree twig also growing out of the wall.

Love the fall colors.

I had to add this one, only because I wanted to add a video that has had some of us in stitches lately...you will understand after viewing the video...just remember that because of that video we (some of the teachers) keep saying meow to each other...and I took this as the French version of meow.

Next stop...OH MY who would have thought it...Jennifer driving in Paris (ok not in the middle of all the well known tourist places, but still driving in Paris...you go Jennifer!)

Finally, we made it to the hotel. (that 5 hour drive seems to have taken about 9 hours, but it was well worth it). Jennifer did well finding le Moulin Du Bechet, in Croisy-sur-Eure, France :)

our room was in the building on the right...up stairs.