One of the things I did when CHM and I drove up to Picardy north of Paris in June 2011 was to take a day trip up into French Flanders (la Flandre française) on my own to see a couple of small cities that I'd always heard of but never before seen. This is one of them. It's about 50 miles from the Channel coast, 80 miles from Brussels, and 100 miles north of Paris. Maybe you recognize it...
I know what this is because you told me. I first thought it was the city of which Fénelon was the bishop, but I was wrong. Bossuet was known as l’Aigle de Meaux and Fénelon as le Cygne de Cambrai.
ReplyDeleteCambrai is also well known for a sweet called bêtises. Les bêtises de Cambrai.
DeleteI went to Cambrai that day too, because I knew about the Meaux/Cambrai thing. I'd been hearing about it for decades, so I needed to see the place. I thought Cambrai was not the more interesting of the two towns.
DeleteWell, you've stumped me, so I'll be happy to learn what this is, tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteI just didn't have time to read or write much this morning. Everything — the dog, the dentist, the pharmacist, the refrigerator... I'm pretty stressed out.
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DeleteNice architecture. I like the Dutch roofs on the townhouses facing the square. I have no idea what city it is though.
ReplyDeleteOUI!!! Bien sûr! My daughter and I visited there for an entire day when she was working in Valenciennes for a year after her University graduation. We absolutely were enthralled with the reconstructed Grand Place and the Flemish architecture. There was a market happening that Saturday in the center and I found a pair of capris that I routinely enjoy wearing (when the temperature is above the 0 degrees C. we are experiencing today at 1:15pm P.T.!) So much to see here - if you are near here be sure to stop! I won't give the name away for anyone who might still read today! I always talk about this place when I'm asked for places to visit in France! We went inside the City Hall and were offered a chance to see the large puppets (Les Géants) and the other artifacts in the basement. Your photos are wonderful and remind me of a fun day with my daughter! Merci!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know that this post brought back good memories for you, Mary.
DeleteI'm sure many of your readers are reminded of places they've visited when they read your blog, Ken. Even when it might be a different city, both you and Walt choose to identify and remark on different aspects that for me, often 'ring a bell' or just inform me of details that I've passed over before. Your blogs are both so much fun to read and the photos are the icing on the cake!
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