This August, I had the opportunity to travel back to France to see family, and friends, explore a few new parts of Paris, and attend a friend’s wedding. We started off in Paris, where my brother lives. Paris is a great city, and especially since family lives there, always feels comfortable and welcoming. After a few days in Paris, my brother, parents, and I took the train and then a rental car south to arrive in our favourite beachside town, Cassis. It was beautiful as always, with gorgeout beaches, rugged hiking, and deep blue water filtering inland through the Calanques. Ben and Cynthina’s wedding in Beaucaire was beautiful as well. The ceremony and reception took place on the grounds of an old farmhouse, and we had a great time frolicking in the open fields, picking pears, and dancing all night with the newlyweds. Congrats Ben and Cynthia! Official photos from the wedding were done by Laurent Brouzet. I’ll let the photos and captions speak for themselves – France in the summer is wonderful. Next up after the south, Jason and I ventured northward to Chamonix and Mont Blanc.
Running group in Paris – seeing a town by running through it is my favourite way, for sure.Riding bikes through the outskirts of Paris – there’s a great bike rental system.Exploring the Parc Floral De ParisCité de l’architecture & du patrimoine, PrisMy father at the musee d’orsayExploring Les InvalidesMy view from the Hotel De La Plage, Cassis, FranceCassis harbor – beautifulThe Calanques of Cassis, France – beautiful water, people boating and swimming everywhere. From Wikipedia: A calanque (from the Corsican and Occitan words of pre-Indo-European origin calanca (plural calanche in Corsican, calancas in Occitan) with meaning “inlet” ) is a steep-walled inlet, cove, or bay that is developed in limestone, dolomite, or other carbonate strata and found along the Mediterranean coast. A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level.[1][2][3]Jason hiking in CassisOne of the many secluded, beautiful beaches among the Calanque around Cassis.One of the many secluded, beautiful beaches among the Calanque around Cassis.Touring the town ot Beaucaire with the wedding party.Touring the town ot Beaucaire with the wedding party.Touring the town of Beaucaire with the wedding party.Touring the town of Beaucaire with the wedding party.Rehersal dinner in BeaucaireA bit of breakfast in the morning at the Mas de Lilou Farmhouse. What a great stay!Mas De Lilou FarmhouseBen and Cynthia getting officially married!Gustav Klimpt Display at Les BauxGustav Klimpt Display at Les BauxThe Carrieres de Lumieres Limestone Quarries, Le Baux, FranceChâteau des Baux de ProvenceChâteau des Baux de ProvenceGetting loose for the weddingBeautiful wedding ceremony, on the grounds of a historic farmhouse.Newlyweds!Morning picnik on the lawn. Wonderful!We found a pear tree in the forrest, and feasted on pears!Sunflower
![The Calanques of Cassis, France - beautiful water, people boating and swimming everywhere. From Wikipedia: A calanque (from the Corsican and Occitan words of pre-Indo-European origin calanca (plural calanche in Corsican, calancas in Occitan) with meaning "inlet" ) is a steep-walled inlet, cove, or bay that is developed in limestone, dolomite, or other carbonate strata and found along the Mediterranean coast. A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level.[1][2][3]](https://i0.wp.com/www.jeffreydonenfeld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DSC00548-2014-08-07-Paris-and-South-Donenfeld-Full-WM.jpg?ssl=1)
