After returning to Paris we traveled just south of Paris in the Loire River Valley to the town of Amboise, where Leonardo Da Vinci lived during his final years.  The valley is scattered with beautiful french chateaus, the most visited being Chinon, Chambord and Chenenceaux.  We enjoyed visiting the chateaus in Amboise and Chenenceaux. 
We took a bus from Arles to the beach at St. Marie de la Mer, a small coastal resort town just outside the Camargue (protected enviromental park that is home to gypsy's, and lots of wildlife)  Here's the kids on the beach, soon they were stripped down to swimsuits despite the 60 degree temperatures. 
Visit our photos of -
France - Arles & Amboise
We took the TVG from Paris through Valence and Avignon to Arles.  Our first class Eurail passes for the girls, Norm and Kristin worked out great.  The boys were in second class which was a little more crowded.  We thought seat reservations were required, but several people were standing in aisles and sitting on steps in 2nd class.  The countryside was beautiful, green pastures, cows, and small homes scattered about. 

Upon arriving in Arles, we checked out several small hotels finally deciding upon "Hotel Terminus and Van Gogh".  Each of their small but comfy rooms were decorated in a Van Gogh theme.  Our room was the "Sunflower" room. 
Arles is a small town in Provence about an hour from the southern coast of France.  It contains many ancient Roman ruins, one of which is a colleseum they still use today for bullfights and other events. You can see the remainder of the old city wall in this photo. 
We took a bus from Arles to the beach at St. Marie de la Mer, a small coastal resort town just outside the Camargue (protected enviromental park that is home to gypsy's, and lots of wildlife)  Here's the kids on the beach, soon they were stripped down to swimsuits despite the 60 degree temperatures. 

Last updated on March 15, 2003

After returning to Paris we traveled just south of Paris in the Loire River Valley to the town of Amboise, where Leonardo Da Vinci lived during his final years.  The valley is scattered with beautiful french chateaus, the most visited being Chinon, Chambord and Chenenceaux.  We enjoyed visiting the chateaus in Amboise and Chenenceaux. 
Here's a small glimpse of a street corner in Amboise.  Kelsie is in the left lower corner purchasing her postcards. 
Many of the towns homes are built into the side of the hill which houses the chateau.  They are carved right out of the soft rock.  Norm thought this photo was an oxymoron in itself with the ancient stone fireplace jutting out of the hillside and a satelite dish positioned to the side of it.