A Short Walk to the Jardin des Plantes

When I am not traveling I live in the old medieval center of Nantes, part of a busy city very near the west coast of France. I will save a more careful profile of Nantes and its history for another day. For tonight I would just like to share with you a few of the sights along the way when I walk to the nearby Nantes botanical garden (jardin des plantes) and arboretum--a lovely park that has been in existence since the early nineteenth century, with many varieties of plants and mature trees from around the world ranged along its winding paths and rock bordered water courses. On our way you can spot glimpses of the neighbourhood's ancient architecture including Nantes' Gothic cathedral and the medieval era chateau of the Dukes of Bretagne (Brittany).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mushroom Tales and Autumn Days

Tomorrow I set my sights on the west and travel by train away from Burgundy and the countryside of ponies and white Charolais cattle where I have spent the last month--away from forests laden with mushrooms where the sweet scent of evergreens and the muddy tracks of wild pigs rise up to meet the fog shrouded hills.
I wanted to share with you the simple beauty of the many walks that marked my days here and some stops I made along the way to play with pattern and the beautiful colors of fall flowers and leaves.