Posts Tagged ‘Ile de Re’
a walk along the quay 6-5
quay at La Flotte (image from Street View)
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map showing distance travelled (map from Google Earth)
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At last, vineyards! My virtual bike trip along the coast of Ile de Ré on May 27 took me past some beautiful vineyards …
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to the right, the Abbaye des Chateliers (image from Street View)
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In the distance, I could see the ruin of the Abbaye des Châteliers. Many of the images available for the abbey show fields of poppies – as I ‘drove’ by, a tractor was preparing the soil for the next round of bloom!
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preparing a field for next season’s poppies (image from Street View)
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The establishment of the abbey dates to 1150 although the exact date is unknown. The abbey was demolished and rebuilt several times … today’s ruin is 16th century. The facade of the church is almost intact, and shows the ornate enclosure of the huge windows. It was fun to explore, although in reality I was at a computer rather than admiring the stone walls in person. For more information on the Abbey, see http://www.patrimoine-histoire.fr/Patrimoine/IledeRe/Ile-de-Re-Abbaye-des-Chateliers.htm
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vineyard with church ruin in distance (image from Street View)
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The town of La Flotte was charming and very old. There were so many green shutters, I think they must be legislated in the town ordinance …
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street in La Flotte with plantings and green shutters (image from Street View)
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Flowers were planted everywhere along the street …
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the edge of the wall along the street in La Flotte was planted with different types of flowers in bloom (image from Street View)
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I thought the quay in La Flotte was inviting and sunny, the quinessential opportunity to wander along the dockside buildings and have a drink at one of the tables overlooking the harbour …
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the quay in La Flotte (image from Street View)
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Best View: a blue gate outside La Flotte … and my first effort at line and wash watercolor …
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May 27, 2013 ‘blue gate near La Flotte’ Jane Tims
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Copyright Jane Tims 2013
looking out to sea 6-4
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view from Ile de Ré with the bridge in the distance (image from Street View)
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map showing distance travelled (map from Google Earth)
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I am enjoying my glimpse into the way of life on Ile de Ré. The houses include the now-familiar two-story dwellings on narrow streets. Most of the houses have painted shutters …
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narrow street in Rivedoux-Plage (image from Street View)
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I also see more modern houses tucked away behind fences and walls …
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street on Ile de Ré (image from Street View)
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Where the route runs along the ocean, there are pleasant walkways and marinas for boaters …
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houses along Rivedoux-Plage (image from Street View)
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There are lots of places to sit and watch the ocean. Some views overlook extensive oyster farms in the zone of the low tide …
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A closer look at my route map shows the rectangular oyster-growing areas just off-shore …
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Best View: view across the Bay of Biscay toward the Ile de Ré Bridge – a place to sit and watch the ocean …
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Copyright Jane Tims 2013
