jared
France Trip Update: Day 5-6 (Brief)
Day 5 -6
So the Internet was ‘broken’ at Mont Saint Michel so I wasn’t able to post.
I am very short on time again because there is so much to do behind the scenes so I will be very brief today (longer tomorrow) and instead will post some pictures.
Be warned I cannot edit on this computer so the JPG versions of the RAW pictures from the camera and are just as is without resizing or white balance correction. Hence the blueish tint.
(9) Chateau Ducal in Caen
(10) Mont Sain Michel (I count it as a castle it is a fortified fortress!)
Day 6
(5a) Cathedral in Chartres
(11) Chateau de Chissay (Where we slept!)
I will write more narrative when I have time – the Loire awaits and we have 3 castles to visit and one more to sleep in!
PS This last one is where we slept!
More soon!
Jared
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
France Trip Update: Day 3-4
Day 3 – 4
The adventure continues…
I was informed in the morning by the proprietor of our Bed and Breakfast that what we say wasn’t a riot or a demonstration but actually a ‘manifestation’ and that they have them quite frequently. In fact on the way out of town we saw another group blocking traffic in a similar (though less flaming manure) sort of way. The Bed and Breakfast we found out as we left was a restored 18th building and very nicely done.
The cathedral in Amiens is massive – as massive as I remember and it just goes on and on. I won’t. It was interesting to see things through a more art historical eye. There was one chapel that was being worked on my some conservationists and it gave you a real behind the scenes sort of look at it all. Also they have the head of John the Baptist which I somehow missed the first time around. We spent a lot of time there – it is so serene.
The gift shop had (in English) the book that explains in great details European cathedral architecture that I had stolen on my list trip here (and that we couldn’t even find on the Internet) so buying that made me very happy.
Our next destination was Giverny. It was as lovely as ever – the sun shining and a wonderful breeze – just a magical place. There is a museum of American art in Giverny but they were running an exhibition of … Monet! Normally you can’t see any Monet in Giverny but they had 28 paintings from all over. They also had a lot of photographs and even some color photographs that were originally taken for a stereoscopic display (though they were only showing one image). A real surprise!
The house and gardens were fun. No photo or video in the house so I just walked around with the video camera on and held it from the top handle to see if anything might come out. The gardens were nice though not fully in bloom. I did get a little video of me on the bridge in the Japanese garden. Jenny is turning into a real cinematographer – positioning me for the best effect. To make life easier I am shooting everything without any sound and then we will add voiceover in post. This way I only need to add the microphone when I know I am going to talk. The compromise is that we are using the shotgun mic now (and Jenny even insists that she monitors the audio to get it just right). The base broke off of the shotgun mic (that attaches it to the camera) but we were able to jury rig a quick release mount to the microphone and the underside of my hand mount for the video camera. It works really well. And even with only shooting short ‘bumpers’ of 15-30 seconds each there will be a lot of them (30+castles as well as other places!).
The B&B in Giverny was almost too good to be true. An entire split level apartment dating back to Monet’s time. Full kitchen – 2 bedrooms (in a loft style second floor) – I can imagine spending a week there. After we settled in we went to the cemetery and visited Monet’s grave and to give our respects. It was a nice bit of closure to the whole space. Jenny needed some aspirin so we drove to the next town over and I found a castle! Well the ruin of some little towers. I will have to fill in the name later – I think it in Vernon. Tim opted not to go shopping so he missed it!
OK I lied – the closure to the day was dinner. Lamb and pate and crème caramel – yum yum. Plus live music from a French band – it was really fun. It did get cold though and the service here is not one to push you from a table or get you your check quickly.
Summary of Day 3
(1a) – Amiens Cathedral
(2a) – Monet’s House and Garndens (and Grave)
(3a) – The American Museum in Giverny
(5) – Ruined Tower in Vernon
The (a) indicates that the site is not a castle.
Day 4
Our first stop was the Chateau in Gisors. It is a nice ruin. A little castle on an artificial hill surrounded by a curtain wall. I can’t remember going up to the top because the last time I was there I didn’t! We went in and looked around but to get up to the top is an hour long tour – in French – on the hour. We walked around for a bit but skipped the tour.
I needed some lip balm and Tim wandered over to the cathedral (which we went to as well). It was a nice place and a bit of a surprise. Those walkie talkies really come in handy for when Tim wanders off!
We then headed over to La Roche Guyon. This is a big place. It has troglodyte caves in the basement, a 12th century castles on the rocky hilltop, an 18th century castle with gardens by the river, Romel’s WWII bunker, and it is all connected by tunnels and mountain. Jenny tried her EMF ghostmeter but alas she didn’t find any ghosts. There was also an art exhibition of a surrealist who only paints imagery of Mont Saint Michel. Very strange but very good. The castle is quite a hike up and down and through and it took hours.
It is a good thing we stopped for Crepes before! Oh yes my first Crepe of the trip. Salmon and fresh cream and caviar (the last was a surprise). Oh so good.
Our last stop of the day was the ruin of Chateau-Gaillard. Richard the Lionheart’s stronghold. It is a very nice ruin of what probably was a very unique looking castle. Lots more hiking and very peaceful atmosphere as we climbed along the ruins.
After Chateau-Gaillard we drove to Caen (not Cannes were the film festival is or Kahn ie Wrath of). We stayed at an IBIS (chain hotel) and had Italian for dinner. Today we visit the Chateau Ducal (of William the Conqueror) and then head over to Mont Saint Michel.
On a technical note, I am loving the new camera. The primary adjustment I use is not aperture or shutter speed but ISO. I leave it on 100 and only adjust as needed. I find the shots tend to darker then I like so I am bracketing often and shooting between 150-200 shots a day.
Still having trouble getting the data off the GPS into something useable so that will happen soon (I hope) and later tonight I will post some more maps and another teaser picture or two.
On a continuity note – I am wearing the same shirt every day (a clean version of course). Shaving every day has been too rough on my face so I am shaving every other day. The joke is I am getting redder and redder. Perhaps I will show you later tonight!
Summary of Day 4
(6) Chateau in Gisors
(4a) Cathedral in Gisors
(7) Chateau La Roche-Guyon
(8) Chateau-Gaillard
Thank for reading. Look later for pictures and maps. Tell your friends!
Jared
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
Maps!
France Trip Update – Day 0, 1, & 2
OK folks sorry for the long delay. Be warned that my keyboard isn’t the greatest and also that words are not my primary artistic medium!
Day 0 – Saturday and the Trip to France
I fell asleep on the runway in Cleveland (to fly to New York) and woke up an hour later to find we were still on the runway in Cleveland! We had a 2.5 hour layover so this wasn’t going to mess up our flight but still! Then it took an extra hour to land because they kept circling around to find us a runway to land on in New York. The only good news is that we had no layover and he landed us right near where we took off from. Also the flight attendant had pity on me and let me store my carry on bag next to hers IN the plane instead of checking it curbside (like everyone else). This matters because it contains the cameras.
Day 1 – Paris & Compiegne
The flight to Paris was OK. I slept some and watched Jim Carrey in Yes Man which was nice but I did not way Horton Hears a Who. I drew the line. The landing was very rough. But we did arrive in Paris. Customs was easy – just grabbed the bags and headed to the phones to call for the car company to pick us up.
We waited for a bit at the wrong exit and Jenny and Tim had some money changed (yes even though we knew it would be steep it is good to have ‘some’ Euros). It was horrible Tim had less exchanged so his was $1.66 mine was a little better at $1.56 (this is overall because of the fees and such). Let’s hope we do better or this will go over my budget by 30 percent!
We called the company again and they told us where to REALLY go. The car is GREAT. I mean fabulous – I love a new car – had the new car smell (I put a vanilla air freshener in to make it look like less of a rental – Tim hates it!). Holds the bags in the trunk no prob is very high tech and very comfortable.
I paid 1.05 for petrol which is better then by estimate (yeah) and I might have gotten super by mistake! We repacked the bags (somewhat and headed to Compiegne for our first stop the Tower of Joan of Arc.
Now you have to realize I did a LOT of research before we left. I have two red binders each with an entire ream of paper. One contains turn by turn directions from place to place and the other full background info and French history so I can talk on camera. This first stop I was still a little fuzzy on. I knew that in the hundred years war that Joan of Arc was sent to Compiegne to defend it from the Burgundians and it was here that she was captured. What I never understood is why they would imprison her IN Compiegne after.
The answer is – they didn’t. During a retreat from a skirmish outside of town they closed the city gates before she could get back in. Was this on purpose by the Mayor, her enemies, or even her allies, the scholars debate. But in honor of her they renamed the 12th century tower ruin that used to guard the old bridge into the city after her. A great story that I couldn’t really tell on camera in the wind and the rain. I got some great photos! I even have some good video. But not really of me on camera – well maybe a quick intro. The whiteboard wasn’t going to work the way I planned. So I am definitely going to be doing a lot of voice-over when I get back home and maybe even intercut some footage of me with a backdrop. No real tragedy just changes the nature of the beast is all.
Now some of you know I was complaining about those little umbrellas that everyone was bringing with them. We did stop at a Monoprix before we got to the ruin and I did buy a VERY expensive 15 Euro umbrella that helped a little during the shoot (not much it was a crappy umbrella). Plus Jenny was tired and Tim wandered off. Bringing walkie-talkies so that I could find Tim was probably the smartest idea I have ever had!
I couldn’t figure out how to make the GPS on the notebook work (which could wait) but I did have the GPS data logger on my person. It won’t read the right time so it turns out I set all the clocks on my cameras to Paris time for nothing. The first day’s photos all need to be retime stamped to work properly but I did get the data for the entire day. (Though I still have work to do on that before I post the map – sorry folks!)
We next headed to the Chateau de Compiegne. It was raining a little less and I was still a little dejected from my not successful shoot at the Tower. The Chateau was better than I remembered it and they let me video tape on the inside. At this point I realized that post audio was in fact a good thing! I just pretended I was a tourist and got as much as I could. Remember my goal is only to have 3-5 minutes from each place overall and I can also use my photos if I need to in the video. The new still camera is GREAT and I am also so glad I didn’t bring the steadycam. In fact I am only using the one video camera on the metal arm thing I got two days before I left.
It was still raining at the Chateau so I didn’t get to see the gardens but I filmed a few seconds on intro there – that is the new goal – film whenever I can and then just try and get an intro. I also retook a lot of photos I had taken in 2000 from my first visit without the flaws that have been bugging me. It really is worth the visit.
The rain let up so we went back to the Joan of Arc tower and I was able to get a little more video and some more stills. It is funny how my plans for what I am doing have changed even though the itinerary is staying the same.
Tim and Jenny were both very tired and while I know Jenny is having a great time I was a little worried about Tim. He was pretty quiet.
We then headed to the first B&B. (Oh, for those of you wondering Jenny and I ate a sandwich for lunch at a corner bar and Tim stopped at the grocery and got himself bread and meat and fruit.) The B&B was gorgeous! It was a ruin of a farmhouse that an English couple has seen from the canal as they were barging (ala on a barge) around Europe. They purchased the 12 ruined houses on the lot and restored them all and sold them to English families. They seemed a little apprehensive about being on film so I didn’t push it though we did have a great time talking about castles. Dinner was fabulous Tim and I both has the Rabbit was a Plum sauce and the smoked salmon starter was SOOO yummy. They also brought out the cheese spread – oh my! So good.
We had our own rooms for the first night and I was really able to rethink the bags and such and yes I did shave so I am still smooth. The Internet however didn’t work so alas today is the first posting!
Summary of Day 1
(1) Gross Tour Du Roi (Rededicated as the Tower of Joan of Arc)
(2) Chateau du Compiegne
Day 2 – Pierrefonds and Chantilly
Today was going to be a crazy day. The castle I love most – Pierrefonds and the castle I hate most – Chantilly. As many of you recall it was at Chantilly in 2005 that I came back to find the car empty of $8000 worth of stuff (and it was my first stop of the trip). It was because of that event that I did NOT stop in Chantilly first but it Is so iconic I couldn’t skip it.
I had a discovery Monday afternoon that my little GPS data logger that I wear to tag my photos somehow shows up as a live GPS data feed to my computers. Instead of the roof mounted GPS that isn’t working the software likes the little GPS unit (and it still logs the data!). With that I tried putting the little notebook on the dash and viola: turn by turn voice directions around France. Damn you big red binder I didn’t need – come to think about it since I am not doing running history – damn you second big red binder I didn’t need. That actually isn’t true – it is nice to have some history and Tim really likes reading these articles by this Wikipedia thing (as well as other sources thank you). He was also complaining about one of the article’s bad translation and I told him it was an auto translate from Babelfish so the fact that it was readable at all was amazing – he was amazed.
Anyways we head to Pierrefonds with a new plan. Put all the technology that isn’t on me or in the backpack in the small blue suitcase and ask the castle to hold the bag (instead of leaving it in the car). Then the only risk is to the clothes. Sounds good right?
We drove to Pierrefonds where I couldn’t find the entrance. We ended up taking a service road into the castle and parked in the employee lot! We went with the blue bag and they told us they couldn’t take it because of terrorists but that she would call the director. I took out the print I had made of the castle to give them but it was a very confusing moment. They took the print with thanks and told me that if I didn’t mind having the bags searched that we could take them with us. Oy – heavy. But it was nice – they searched and we went around. It was even emptier than I remember – which is good- because the BBC is filming Merlin there on a regular basis. We got lucky because it is closed often now.
The other good news is that the lower lever was open with a special exhibition of effigies that were all laid out like in a crypt with audio and some projections making the space very haunting (but not tacky at all – really it was amazing). Tim was so excited – he told me how much fun he was having and that he never really got castles before – he was really smiling. Jenny has just been walking on a cloud and loves the whole feel of France – I am sure when I give her the computer to blog she will tell you all how she wants to move here right away!
We stopped for lunch and just grabbed quick sandwiches for the road and headed for Chantilly. Tim is very swayed by the road signs and wants to stop everywhere. I am holding fast to the schedule and explained that what I planned is better than what we will ‘stumble on’ in the time allotted.
Now I approached Chantilly with some trepidation. We have been working on the rule that you can’t go into the trunk before you leave the car so if you need something get it at the stop before. I still was scared. The parking lot is wooded with signs that say they don’t take responsibility for the contents of your car. So as planned I took the blue bag with me – rolled it to the castle and – NO – they don’t have a luggage check. However the security guard offered to hold it for me in his guardhouse! Yeah! The castle is fabulous. The stables are as big as a castle and are the ones featured in the James Bond film a View to a Kill. We didn’t have time for the stables and just went to the Castle and the art gallery inside it. Wow – I have finally seen the ‘Three Graces’ and many other great works of art. And again – they let me film the entire thing. I even took some video on the tour (though not of the guide – just the rooms).
It was getting late and starting to rain again so we didn’t get to see the gardens but it is ok because they were all under construction – I mean BIG crews with bulldozers rebuilding them!
Our next stop Amiens to another B&B. This place is lovely. We are sharing a room and Tim seems fine in his little bed. We are really just outside of Amiens so they sent us into town to get some dinner. Tim and Jenny had cold plate boards (Tim fish, Jenny meat) and I had a wonderful (but slow) Pate appetizer, steak dinner, and apple pastry dessert – yum.
During dinner we heard some banging and some booms (like fireworks or gunfire). It was very regular and it looked like a parade just across the river (which was less than a block over). Jenny thought it was school letting out and Tim said it was a demonstration. It got louder. It got rowdier. Then Jenny’s eyes started to burn as we say lots of smoke and head police sirens and fire trucks. We waited a while for things to calm down not knowing what it was.
Our car was parked RIGHT in the line of the parade demonstration and when we got to it – the streets were covered with garbage – hay – manure! The car was fine – though Jenny pointed out due to evidence right next to it that it probably had been pelted by a potato.
The next stop was tricky – getting out of town. There was hay and garbage everywhere. The manure has been set on fire and the police kept redirecting us. So however did the GPS – right into the thick of it. Tim kept joking that it was a bad scifi story with the computer trying to get us back into the action. While I am getting us lost – and Jenny will write about just how lots – wrong way on one way street – driving on a shopping plaza that wasn’t even a street – and not having my light on – Tim jumped out of the car to get shots of smoking manure!
We did make it back though it was late and our hosts thought they had given us the keys and didn’t really understand what happened to us. We explained as best we could. They don’t speak much English and because this isn’t a castle town I won’t press here either.
I posted the video clip I took from the restaurant before it got too bad on YouTube and was told it was a farmworkers demonstration. Looked like a riot to me – they trashed the place!
Mom! We are fine.
Summary of Day 2:
(3) Chateau de Pierrefonds
(4) Chateau de Chantilly
I still haven’t gotten the GPS setup good enough to POST the maps – though I do have the data. As I am short on time (sorry) I will only post Tim’s smoking manure pic and the YouTube video. I will post when I can. Today is Amiens and Giverny but NO Internet tonight so that might give me time to catch up!
That’s it for the first post! Tell your friends see ya next time.
Jared
PS OK – One castle picture…
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
Let the trip begin!!!
Sitting at home putting the finishing touches on the packing. In less than 2 hours I will be picked up and taken to the airport. This time tomorrow I will be in France starting on a whirlwind 21 day expedition that should take me to 30 castles 15 or so other cultural institutions and over 2200 miles.
See you on the other side!
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
Final France Map
Here is the big France Map!!
View France Expedition in a larger map
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
France Expedition Update and Map
Its been a while since I posted an update on the planning of the documentary and expedition to France.
The reason is simple I have been knee deep in planning.
http://fromcastletocastle.com/
Imagine scheduling 16 hotels for 21 nights and trying to stay at mom and pop bed and breakfasts for most of the trip.
I will post a longer update later – but the gestalt of my trip is available here via:
Google Maps
Red = Hotel/B&B (sometimes a Castle Hotel)
Blue = Castle
Green = Not a Castle
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
Camera Lenses!
Just when I thought I was done!
In a previous post I mentioned that I own these lenses:
Tamron 17-35mm
Tamron 70-300mm
Vivitar 28-210mm
Pentax 50mm
I actually have been very happy with my Tamron lenses and have even recommended them to others. The Tamron lenses replaced the lenses that were stolen on my last trip to France.
I used to only shoot with 2 lenses: one wide, one medium, and then later I added the telephoto.
As I was getting ready to place my orders I looked again not just at what I was about to buy – but what I would be able to sell when I as done.
I was going to buy:
12-24mm Pentax Lens
55-300mm Pentax Lens
and also bring my:
17-35mm Tamron Lens
And as much as I like the idea of the 12-24 – is this really the ultra wide I want?
This brings me to the Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6
(my original ultra-wide was a Sigma 17-28mm)
So if I am rethinking my ultra wide – shouldn’t I also rethink my other lenses too?
I don’t mind losing the long zoom if I can have less of a gap in my mid-range.
This brings me to the Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3
Both of these lenses have good reviews and give me more of what I need on the wide to mid range. I save some money and in theory can survive with just 2 lenses. This is the way I like to shoot – keep the ultra-wide on all the time and occasionally switch to the other.
I would probably still bring the 17-35mm but only as a backup.
Just some thoughts.
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
Final Still Camera Kit & Technology Woes!
One of my favorite sayings is – Man Plans – God Laughs!
I have been working on the multi-tiered approach to preparing for the trip one of which is to work out the photography equipment and then then videography stuff.
As mentioned in a previous note my photo kit should look like this:
Pentax K20D 14.6 MP dSLR
12-24mm Pentax Lens
55-300mm Pentax Lens
17-35mm Tamron Lens
2 Batteries
2 Battery Chargers
3 8GB High Speed Memory Stick
GiSTEQ PhotoTracker
Memory CardHolder
ColorSpace O with 160GB Hard Drive
Netbook Portable Computer
DC Adapter for Computer
DC Adapter for Camera Batter
Lens and Sensor Cleaning Supplies
Neck Strap
Wraps for Camera and Lenses
Sounds like a nice kit – not too big.
I went out and purchased the Wind u100 Netbook. Nice little unit.
Got it on Sat, Configured it on Sunday, Battery won’t work on Mon!
Now I have to go back to Microcenter and get a new one!
I spent a lot of hours configuring it – getting Windows XP all nice and smooth and pretty.
I even had it running Photoshop CS3.
Knowing that I am bringing a notebook brought up another technological issue.
Should I purchase a USB GPS unit and then use the notebook for navigation as well?
It is very tempting. But first I have to get one that works for more than 2 days.
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]
Documentary Update: Finally an Itinerary!
Documentary Update: Finally an Itinerary!Last night I realized that I had planned a 4 week schedule instead of a 3 week one!
I was so worried about not being at certain places on certain days that I wasn’t counting the number of days. Oops!
However here it is – a doable 3 week schedule!
Route info via http://routes.tomtom.com
France Film Itinerary
Sunday
– – Arrive CDG Airport
– – Drive 43 min to Compiegne
Visit Gross Tour Du Roi in Compiegne [Open: Always]
Explore City
Sunday Night: Compiegne
Monday
– – Drive 18 min to Pierrefonds
Visit Chateau de Pierrefonds [Open: 10am-6pm]
– – Drive 52 min to Chantilly
Visit Chateau de Chantilly [Open: 10am-6pm]
– – Drive 1 hour 17 min to Amiens
Monday Night: Amiens
Tuesday
Visit Amiens Cathedral [Open: 8:30am-6:45pm]
– – Drive 1 hour 55 min to Giverny
Visit Jardin de Monet a Giverny [Open 9:30am to 6pm]
Tuesday Night: Giverny
Wednesday
– – Drive 38 min to Gisors
Visit Chateau de Gisors [Open: 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm – Tour 1 hour]
– – Drive 32 min to Les Andelys
Visit Chateau-Gaillard [Open: 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 6pm]
– – Drive 31 min to La Roche Guyon
Visit Chateau de La Roche Guyon [Open: 10am-6pm]
– – Drive 1 hour 29 min to Chartres
Wednesday Night: Chartres
Thursday
Visit Chartres Cathedral [Open: 8:30am-7:30pm]
– – Drive 3 hour 15 min to Mont Saint Michel
Visit Mont Saint Michel
Thursday Night: Mont Saint Michel
Friday
Visit Mont Saint Michel [Open: Always]
– – Drive 2 hour 49 min to Angers
Friday Night: Angers
Saturday
Visit Chateau d’Angers [Open: 9:30am–6pm]
– – Drive 48 min to Saumur
Visit Chateau de Saumur [Open: 10am – 1pm, 2 pm – 5:30pm]
– – Drive 43 min to Langeais
Saturday Night: Langeais
Sunday
Visit Chateau de Langeais [Open: 9:30am – 6:30pm]
– – Drive 18 min to Azay-le-Rideau
Visit Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau [Open: 9:30am – 6pm]
– – Drive 15 min to Villandry
Visit Chateau de Villandry [Open: 9am – 6pm]
– – Drive 40 min to Chenonceaux
Visit Chateau de Chenonceau [Open: 9am – 7pm]
Sunday Night: Road to Saint-André-de-Cubzac
Monday
– – Drive 3 hour 4 min hours to Saint-André-de-Cubzac
Visit Chateau de Bouilh [Open: Unknown]
Monday Night: Road to Rocamadour
Tuesday
– – Drive 2 hour 42 min to Rocamadour
Visit Rocamadour [Open: 9am – 7pm – Maybe]
– – Drive 2 hour 49 min to Carcassonne
Tuesday Night: Carcassonne
Wednesday
Visit Carcassonne [Open: 10am – 6:30pm]
– – Drive 1 hour 41 min to Peyrepertuse
Visit Chateau de Peyrepertuse [Open: 9am- 7pm]
– – Drive 2 hour 37 min to Nimes
Wednesday Night: Nimes
Thursday
Visit Arena of Nîmes [Open: 9am – 6:30pm]
Visit Maison Carrée [Open: 10am – 7pm]
– – Drive 36 min to Pont du Gard
Visit Pont du Gard [Open: 9:30am – 7pm]
– – Drive 34 min to Avignon
Thursday Night: Avignon
Friday
Visit Palais des Papes [Open: 9am-7pm]
– – Drive 52 min to Arles
Visit Arles Amphitheatre [Open: 9am-7pm]
– – Drive 1 hour 8 min to Marseille
Friday Night: Marseille
Saturday
Visit Chateau d’If [Open: 9:30am – 6:30pm – Boats hourly 9am–5pm]
– – Drive 4 hour 49 min to Autun
Saturday Night: Autun
Sunday
Visit Autun Cathedral
– – Drive 2 hour 48 min to Maincy
Visit Vaux-le-Vicomte [Open: 10am-6pm]
Sunday Night: Maincy
Monday
– – Drive 52 min to Versailles
Visit Versailles [Open: 9am – 6.30pm]
– – Drive 41 min to CDG Airport
– – Train to Paris
Monday Night: Paris – 1
Tuesday
Visit Eiffel Tower
Visit Arc de Triomphe
Tuesday Night: Paris – 2
Wednesday
Visit Notre Dame de Paris
Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Wednesday Night: Paris – 3
Thursday
Visit Musée d’Orsay
Thursday Night: Paris – 4
Friday
Visit Chateau de Louvre
Friday Night: Paris – 5
Saturday
Saturday Night: Paris – 6
Sunday
– – Train to CDG
– – Fly Home
[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]