A couple of months of pictures from France – the place I have travelled in most. My love started with family holidays, including to the # Dordogne – this was the gîte we stayed in for 7 years in the 90s. Image 121 of #365travelpics‬

Across the Dordogne are small fortified towns, Bastides, built by the French & English as they fought over this part of France in the 13th & 14th centuries. This is Monpazier with its typical arcades, market hall & café! Image 122 of #365travelpics

One of the classic views of the Dordogne from another Bastide: Domme, high above the river which gives this area its name. #France Image 123 of #365travelpics

Whilst the English & French fought over the Dordogne in the Hundred Years War, they built castles. This is Beynac, one of five castles built at this point of the river. #France Image 124 of #365travelpics

Sarlat is one of the bigger towns in the Dordogne – it’s manic with tourists in the summer but off season its squares come to life as locals re-emerge. #France Image 125 of #365travelpics‬

Full of small alleys & sandstone buildings, Sarlat is one of the gems of the Dordogne – renovated by the new ministry of culture in 60s, it’s since become a polished tourist centre. #France Day 126 of #365travelpics‬

My first school trip to #France was to the World War 1 trenches. This image is at Vimy Ridge where Canadians remember 3598 died trying to take the ridge in April 1917. Image 127 of #365travelpics‬

‪My school trip to World War 1 sites in #France went to Thiepval Memorial which names 72000 British & South African troops who died. Image 128 of #365travelpics

Whilst in northern #France it’s worth spending time in the regional capital #Lille – famous for its clock tower and red brick buildings. Day 129 of #365travelpics‬

Another fun day out in northern #France for Penguin & other sea life fans is the excellent Nausicaa aquarium in Boulogne. Day 130 of #365travelpics‬

Aged 18, when I finished school & before heading to university, I toured the #Loire in #France with its spectacular chateau. This is the iconic Chenonceau reflected in the river below. Day 131 of #365travelpics‬

‪In summer 2001 I spent time in Burgundy. This is the Abbey of Fontenay. Dating from the 12th Century, it is set in a quiet green valley but at its peak would have been a busy religious hub. #France Image 132 of #365TravelPics‬

‪The regional capital of Burgundy is #Dijon – this is it’s Hôtel de Ville and new fountains in 2001 in Place de la Liberation. #France Image 133 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Burgundy is famed for its decorative roofs with their intricate designs. This is the Hospice de Beaune dating from the 15th century. #France Image 134 of #365TravelPics‬

‪I spent a month in 2002 studying in #Lyon – a huge city with its old town, 19th century squares and modern suburbs. #France Image 135 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Whilst in Lyon in 2002 I visited Albertville, host of the 1992 Winter Olympics. This is what remains of the Olympic cauldron & ceremonies arena. #France Day 136 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Age 20, moved to the French #Alps & #Grenoble for a year. One of the best years of my life & has encouraged me to keep on travelling since. This is Place Grenette with its cafes & mountain views. #France Day 137 of #365TravelPics‬

‪One of the top attractions in #Grenoble is the cable car taking you up to the top of the Bastille. Great views of the city & #Alps – romantic at sunset for a date too 😉 #France Day 138 of #365TravelPics‬

‪I celebrated my 21st Birthday in #Grenoble surrounded by my twin & friends from my #Eramus year. Friendships through travel & a life changing time in #France Day 139 of #365TravelPics‬

‪This is where I lived in #Grenoble during my year in #France – halls of residence on the university campus with great views of the mountains. Image 140 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Despite great view of the #Alps the halls I lived in #Grenoble #France the kitchen was really basic: no oven, broken fridges, no cupboards and no furniture. Day 141 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Spring 2003 was 35 years since Mai 68 & students had a new reason to protest: reforms to degree structures. This was the main hall at the Université Stendhal in #Grenoble – a reminder of student political engagement in #France in 68, 03 & 18. Day 142 of #365TravelPics ‬

‪One of the benefits of living in Grenoble, France was easy access to the mountains. This is the view from the top of the aiguille du midi in Chamonix. Unforgettable views. Day 143 of #365TravelPics‬

‪This is a pic of Mont Blanc from the Aiguille de Midi. Beautiful in the mid morning sun. Still want to return & get the cable car to Italy past these valleys. #France Day 144 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Surrounding #Grenoble are 3 mountain ranges: Chartreuse, Belledonne & Vercors. Loved driving across each of them with their distinct personality. #France Day 145 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Near to Grenoble is the Venice of the Alps – Annecy – with canals & a lake with mountains seeking to its edge, it’s a lovely place for walking & relaxng. #France Day 146 of #365TravelPics‬

‪From Grenoble #France we crossed the Alps to Turin, stopping in the town of Briançon. Covered in snow, its walls & church felt like an alpine refuge. Image 147 of #365TravelPics‬

‪One summer day we took the Route des Grandes Alpes from near #Grenoble to #Nice #France – the winding roads took us over many snow-capped peaks & green valleys. Day 148 of #365TravelPics‬

‪So at the end of the Route des Grandes Alpes was #Nice #France – with the Baie des Anges and Promenade des Anglais along its edge. Day 149 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Heading to Eastern #France and Strasbourg near Alsace is a mix of France & Germany with some canals thrown in. The town is capped by its cathedral. Day 150 of #365TravelPics ‬

La Petite France in Strasbourg to my mind is misnamed: seems more like Germany than #France – whatever, it is very pretty. Image 151 of #365TravelPics

‪At a cross road in Europe, Strasbourg is one of the seats of the EU parliament. They visit once a month to pass legislation. I was there in May 2004 when 10 new members joined the EU. #France Day 152 of #365TravelPics‬

‪A few kilometres from Strasbourg is the Alsace wine region & this is th lovely village of Ribeauvillé. #France Day 153 of #365TravelPics‬

‪It is sometimes forgotten that there were work camps in #France during World War 2: this is in Alsace at Natzweiler-Struthof, a painful but important visit. Day 154 of #365TravelPics‬

‪There was experimental use of gas to kill those unable to work at the camp at Natzweiler-Struthof – dreadful history in this mountain location. #France Day 155 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Lorraine is the slightly overlooked & under appreciated sister of eastern #France. This is Cours Stanislas in Nancy, evidence of why a visit throws up some hidden gems. Day 156 of #365TravelPics‬

‪The history of #France can be traced back to where the first king (Clovis) was baptised & went on to rule the French by St Rémi in modern day Reims. Day 157 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Of course modern day Reims is more famous for Champagne and these are the cellars at Taitinger. #France Day 158 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Heading to the South West of #France & one of the top tourist sights is Carcassonne – a walled town but remember it was made to look this pretty by a 19th century restoration. Day 159 of #365TravelPics‬

‪In the Pyrenees foothills are Cathar castles whose views offered protection to its builders & great photos for today’s tourists. This is Queribus, one of the finer examples. Day 160 of #365TravelPics‬

‪For my 30th Birthday I went to Bordeaux #France & spent the mornings writing my thesis in a stone walled vineyard cottage. And the afternoons drinking the local produce! Day 161 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Over last 3 years, I’ve been lucky to get to know #Burgundy in #France – this is St Aubin with its distinctive church tower & golden stone buildings. Image 162 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Each wall with its marks, holes & shadows reveals a little of the story of the wine village of St Aubin in #Burgundy & #France Image 163 of #365TravelPics‬

‪St Aubin in #Burgundy is most famous for the fine wines its produces. Its vines sit in a protective, pleasing valley. #France Image 164 of #365TravelPics‬

‪I spent a lot of time recently admiring this view of St Aubin in #Burgundy with lighting showing its church, houses and history at its best. #France Day 165 of #365TravelPics‬

‪This is Puligny-Montrachet – producing some of the finest wines in #Burgundy but also a pretty village with its central square & Mairie. #France Day 166 of #365TravelPics‬

‪One of the roundabouts in Puligny-Montrachet has a statue of vineyard workers showing their back breaking but specialist work in the #Burgundy fields. #France Image 167 of #365TravelPics‬

‪A final picture from Puligny-Montrachet and the beautiful #Burgundy vines which will produce the region’s golden wines. #France Day 168 of #365TravelPics‬

‪My tour of #France now turns to #Paris and the entry point for many arriving either by train or from the airports: Gare du Nord. Day 169 of #365TravelPics‬

For me, #Paris is at its best in its quiet back streets with its 19th Century Buildings which could only be found in the French capital. This is in the 10th Arrondisement. #France Day 170 of #365TravelPics‬

On so many corners in #Paris you find the local café where people get their fix of coffee, news & gossip. #France Day 171 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Over the next few days some iconic locations in #Paris – first the Arc de Triomphe unusually with no cars in front of it. #France Day 172 of #365TravelPics‬

‪In the last 20 years the Flamme de la Liberté has become an icon in #Paris. Originally a copy of the Statue of Liberty’s flame, its location remembers the spot near Place de l’Alma where Princess Diana died. #France Day 173 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Another icon of #Paris : Notre Dame – inspiring from all sides. #France Image 174 of #365TravelPics‬

‪All roads in #France lead to this point in #Paris in front of Notre Dame Cathedral: Point Zero. Image 175 of #365TravelPics‬

‪A backstreet on Île de la Cité – metres from Notre Dame and the original heart of #Paris #France Day 176 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Over the next 3 days: my favourite #Paris museums: this is the view from the bar at the top of the Centre Pompidou – after some great art, a great sunset view of the French capital awaits. #France Day 177 of #365TravelPics‬

‪Another favourite #Paris museum: the Louvre. I find the inside too busy & vast, despite the great works. But the outside, with its mix of old & moden, for me summarises the history of contemporary #France Day 178 of #365TravelPics‬

‪My third museum in #Paris is the Musée d’Orsay – a former station & I love it as much for its architecture as its impressionist paintings. #France Day 179 of #365TravelPics‬

‪At the heart of #Paris is Place de la République which marks the revolution & it’s values. #France Day 180 of #365TravelPics‬

‪A final photo of #Paris and #France – and one of the most iconic images of the beautiful French capital. Day 181 of #365TravelPics‬