Photo mash-up #62

Today's theme will be: by the sea :-)

Happy day by the sea!

Moëlan-sur-Mer

Having been invited to the hometown of my best friend - located in Brittany - I of course jumped on the occasion to visit a new place in my favorite region :-)

Moelan-sur-Mer is a rather small town in the Finistère department, not far from Quimperlé and Pont-Aven cities which I also had the opportunity to visit during this trip. I really enjoyed discovering this area with its deep rias (drowned river valleys remaining open to the sea), small ports, rocky-cliffs coastline and small coves.

Moelan sur Mer coast

Pont-Aven riverside

Remains of the Saint-Maurice abbey

Laïta river at low tide

Trip to Guérande

With its salt marshes, its peat bog, and nearby wild seashore, the Guérande area is a fascinating place to visit. Unfortunately, the weather was so hot when I went there that it was a real torture for me to brave the sun and hike around :-( 

The view was however definitely worth the pain!

Staircase into the sea

Le Croisic coastal path

Le Pouliguen wild coast

Some green

Before the summer season and lack of rain contribute to making everything look yellowish and dry, a few lush and green pictures from Normandy...

Green path

Ophrys apifera

Light and shadows

Naturospace

In the Naturospace greenhouse in Honfleur can be found colorful butterflies and exotic birds in a beautiful tropical garden - a must-see!

Rolled proboscis

Coconut lorikeet

Tropical brown butterfly

Streets of Honfleur

A collection of memories from Honfleur :-)

Saint Léonard church

Fish nets

Paved courtyard

Sea marvels

I really enjoy strolling by the sea... where sometimes, you may find some unusual things to take pictures of - an abandoned chair for instance!

Abandoned chair

Coming rain

Honfleur beach

Visiting Honfleur

Some sea at last! After having made a trip to southern France earlier this year, I was longing the sea and planned a short trip to Honfleur. No direct train there, so I decided to also visit the coastal towns of Deauville and Trouville, from where I took the bus to Honfleur. 

I cannot say I really enjoyed Deauville; it seemed to me like a place where you can but spend money on shops you could find elsewhere. Trouville was more charming - especially the lovely view from the staircase of the 'Chemin des buttes', however I found the city of Honfleur far more enjoyable to visit - its old harbour, slate-covered houses, the Sainte-Catherine church made almost entirely of wood and its separate bell tower, and the enchanting Côte de Grâce (a hill dominating the Seine estuary).

Trouville rooftops

Honfleur old harbour

Honfleur harbour

Insects collection

Finally! It's Spring at last, insects are out, warming themselves in the sun or quietly resting on fresh green leaves... seemingly waiting for me to capture them with my camera :-)

Resting bumble bee

Dragonfly at rest

Iridescent body

Ladybug stages

The evolution of the ladybug, from pupa to adult :-)

Showing its spicules

Asian ladybeetle pupa

Beautiful ladybug

Villeneuve-lès-avignon

Located on the little hill just in front of Avignon city, Villeneuve-lès-avignon is a town of wonders to visit besides an amazing view on the Popes' city: the remains of the Benedictine abbey of St André (renovated into beautiful gardens) and its nearby castle the Fort Saint-André, the Philippe-le-Bel tower and the Notre-Dame-du-Val-de-Bénédiction chartreuse monastery, to name a few...

Villeneuve-lès-avignon

Arches of Abbaye Saint André

From the Abbaye Saint André gardens

Fort Saint André

Popes' city

First holiday travel of the year, a wonderful trip (and in good company) to the Popes' city, Avignon!

It was an amazing discovery: the city is truly lovely, with numerous ancient buildings and remains of history in every street, beautiful gardens, not to mention the incredible Palais des Papes and the surprisingly short Pont d'Avignon (below which people used to dance, rather than on it despite the famous song :-D)

Avignon from Barthelasse island

Garden near the Palais des Papes

Pont St-Benezet

Photo mash-up #61

Today's theme will be: insects on leaves!

Happy insects on leaves day :-)

Another macro round

This SOny 90mm macro lens is so amazing - if only it were more compact and less heavy for my small and non-muscular arms...

Double trouble

Bright red flowers

Salute to the sun

Pink-edged daisy

Trip to Chevreuse

Located in the south of Paris, in the middle of the 'Parc naturel régional de la haute vallée de Chevreuse', Chevreuse is an adorable town showcasing a canal with old wash houses and tanning facilities near the Yvette river. Dominating the valley of Chevreuse, the Madeleine castle is also worth the visit (and the climbing). 

A wonderful location for a family weekend excursion!

View on the castle

Old castle of Chevreuse

Eight geese a-walking

View on the church tower