julies_journeys

I visited the Sistine Chapel, located in the Vatican, during a high school trip. This major work of Renaissance art is extremely famous thanks to the frescoes by Michelangelo, which were criticized at the time. The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam (with the outstretched finger) are in every school textbook. Standing in front of these paintings, you feel so small, and it really does something to you. Because of the heavy crowds, it is essential to book your visit to the chapel in advance.

The Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) in Budapest spans the Danube to connect Buda and Pest. The view of the Danube from this bridge is unbeatable. It is a beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture, which you can admire in a different way by taking a river cruise, for example. It is also the perfect spot to watch the unofficial, and technically forbidden, fireworks on December 31st.

The Great Market Hall in Budapest is a nice stop for a last day in the Hungarian capital. The two-story neo-Gothic building, with its metal structure, glass roof, and colorful tiles, is really original. Inside, you can buy souvenirs and treats to bring back. You also see interesting local products, especially meat, alcohol, or honey. You can also grab a quick lunch inside the market.

The Dancing House, by architect Frank Gehry, is an iconic contemporary building in Prague. Just a few hundred meters from the city center, it sits right on the edge of the Vltava River. Its wavy shape might evoke (with a lot of imagination) the image of a couple dancing. You will find an art gallery, a restaurant, and a panoramic rooftop terrace inside. It is nice, but not exactly incredible compared to other modern works in the city.

The Astronomical Clock is surely the most iconic monument in Prague. Dating back to 1410, it is the oldest astronomical clock in the world still in operation. It combines an astronomical dial, a calendar, and a mechanical theater all in one. Every hour, its little figures come to life for the parade of the Apostles under the amazed gaze of the tourists. If you want to get a higher vantage point, be aware that the ticket for the Clock Tower doesn't let you get close to the clock itself, but just gives you a pretty view of the Old Town Square.

Rightly considered the most beautiful bridge in Europe (and maybe even the world), the Charles Bridge in Prague attracts crowds of tourists all day long. You have to go either very early in the morning at daybreak for beautiful light, or very late at night when it is in the mist. With its imposing statues, there is a very special atmosphere there. You can also go see the Charles Bridge... from another bridge or admire it from above!

You have two options. You can either book an entry ticket for Prague Castle, which is actually more of a museum. Or, you can simply walk around the castle district for free. You will get magnificent views of the city of a hundred spires and the Vltava River, and you can also access its inner courtyard. Golden Lane, which you go through to get there, is spectacular.

Prague is a beautiful museum city in the Czech Republic. Its city center is compact, which makes for some great walks on foot. In winter, the city is famous for its Christmas markets. All year round, tourists from all over the world crowd in to see its astronomical clock in the Old Town Square. The facades of its colorful houses are all elegant and original. I recommend hiring a guide to discover the secrets of the city.

Les Carrières de Lumières have been around for decades in Les Baux-de-Provence, in the South of France. It was much later that their cousin in Paris, the Atelier des Lumières, came to be. As a child, I used to go with my parents to the Carrières to see the paintings of Vincent van Gogh come to life on the walls. I have wonderful memories of it, and it is always with emotion that I return there or discover the Parisian exhibitions with passion. I highly recommend it!

I had the chance to participate in an art workshop at the BNF Richelieu site when I lived in Paris. It is a library like the ones you only see in movies. Its majestic Oval Room is bathed in natural light. It offers a unique setting to read or simply admire the place. The restored galleries, like the Galerie Mazarin with its paintings, are splendid. The museum displays heritage treasures, including medieval manuscripts, ancient artifacts, and more.

The Guimet Museum is a very specific museum in Paris since it is exclusively dedicated to Asian arts. In all, more than 60,000 works are displayed over 5,500 square meters. I had the chance to discover it for Heritage Days in September. I loved its little, well-hidden zen garden. It is a very beautiful museum but not necessarily adapted for the general public. I particularly liked the Khmer collection from Angkor as well as the section dedicated to Japanese art, with samurai swords.

The Jardin des Tuileries is one of the largest parks within the city limits of Paris. It is where the fairground or the Christmas market are held. You run into both tourists who have come to visit the Louvre and locals who are having a picnic at the first rays of sunshine. However, it seems less clean and family friendly to me than other smaller and quieter parks in Paris. It still remains a true institution!

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a family-friendly park tucked away in the heart of the 6th arrondissement of Paris. It is the perfect spot to take a break between two sightseeing stops. It gets packed on nice days, which is rare in Paris. This park is really well-maintained with impeccable lawns, French-style flowerbeds, and shaded groves lined with century-old trees. I love sitting on its iconic (though not very comfortable, honestly) green chairs.

The ideal way to visit the Palais Garnier is obviously to attend a show. But if your budget does not allow for that, it is also possible to join an organized tour (by reservation) of this 19th century architectural masterpiece. As soon as you enter the Palais Garnier, you are impressed by the monumental marble staircase and the gilding. The ceiling of the main auditorium was painted by Chagall. The tour also allows you to discover the backstage area, the salons, and the richly decorated foyers.

I had the hardest time visiting Sainte-Chapelle when I lived in Paris. It is definitely necessary to book this gothic jewel well in advance. Located in the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité, it is often paired with a visit to Notre-Dame. What strikes you immediately are the stained glass windows, fifteen immense 13th-century glass panels. They say they tell more than 1,000 biblical scenes! The tour is well organized, with helpful explanatory signs.

To me, Sète is the little Marseille of the Hérault. Its immediate proximity to the sea makes it a top choice for a destination on the Mediterranean. There is so much to do: the panorama from Mont Saint-Clair, swimming at the big beach or in the coves, strolling around the port and at the Pointe Courte, visiting the sea cemetery or the Brassens museum, and so on. Not to mention a busy cultural life. The only downside: driving and parking in Sète is a total nightmare.

Far from the super famous seaside resorts of the Mediterranean coast, Frontignan has managed to keep a preserved setting, between the beach, lagoons, and the Massif de la Gardiole. In the summer, I love heading to the complimentary brasucade at Le Spot, a nice beach bar. Frontignan is also where the Family Piknik festival is held every year at the beginning of August. Tourists appreciate its fine sandy beaches that are perfect for water sports, its salt marshes, and its historic center with its fortified church. And let's not forget the Muscat!

I stopped by Lamalou-les-Bains, located in the Orb valley in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park, after a hike and swim in the magnificent Gorges de Colombières this summer. We grabbed a comforting ice cream there and took a walk around before hitting the road again. The town itself seems pretty quiet. Still, Lamalou-les-Bains is a well-known spa town. Its thermal baths specialize in rheumatology and neurology and offer a variety of treatments.

I really like Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone for a Sunday family outing from Montpellier. You can get there easily by car for a walk by the pond and a trip to the cathedral island. There is a cafe run by people with disabilities where you can sit out on the terrace. I also go there often by bike or to swim (just a heads up, part of the beach is naturist). It is a shame that the cathedral itself is not being renovated...

Pézenas has built its reputation on the fact that Molière stayed there in 1653. The French playwright is everywhere you look. You can visit Molière's house and immerse yourself in the theatrical history of the town. Pézenas regularly organizes festivals and events that highlight its artistic identity. On top of that, there are beautiful Renaissance houses, numerous craft shops, and a certain gentle way of life unique to Occitanie.