The Nieuwe Kerk anchors one end of Delft’s main square, Markt. You can’t miss the church’s soaring 100-meter spire. Climb to the top for vast views over the flat Dutch region. I did not bother going to the top since it was grey and snowy, but it apparently offers an enticing view on clear days. […]
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Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
Palais des Beaux-Arts is Lille’s main art museum. It’s housed in an impressive 19th-century monument with interesting design touches. Napoleon, um, encouraged the museum’s initial collection by obtaining the pieces from churches and other monument throughout Europe. An assortment of art is here: 15th-20th century European paintings, prints and drawings, antiquities, 17th- and 18th-century ceramics […]
Nederlands Architectuur Instituut
Even if you aren’t that interested architecture, you will enjoy a visit to the Nederlands Architectuur Instituut to view the Dutchville exhibit. The exhibit is a unique way to experience Dutch life and is constructed using models of historical structures, industrial buildings and housing developments. A cast of six locals provides what is supposed to […]
Musée d’Orsay Clock
The two fifth-floor clocks at the Musée d’Orsay are bold reminders of the Beaux Art building’s former use as a train station, Gare d’Orsay. The clocks offer sweeping, mid-rise (thank you, Haussmann!) views over Paris and make an appealing pit-stop after taking in the unmatched collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art.
Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris
That this small Parisian museum is grossly overshadowed by the larger, more flamboyant art institutions is no reason to omit it from your to-see list. On the contrary, the quiet Boulevard Haussmann location and the lack of enormous crowds makes it a bit of a respite from the giants. Musée Jacquemart-André was the private residence […]
La Madeleine, Paris
A great way to experience European churches and palaces is to attend classical concerts. Listening to masterful compositions in ornate, historical surroundings is both transporting and relaxing. For me, it’s a bit of time travel, even if the time periods don’t match up. Recently, we heard a concert at La Madeleine. L’Église de la Madeleine […]
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, Alsace, France
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg occupies a strategic position over the Alsace plains, the Vosges, the Black Forest and the Alps. It was originally constructed in the 12th century for the purpose of watching over the wine and wheat routes to the north and the silver and salt routes running east-west. The castle sits 700 meters high […]
Église Saint-Martin, Colmar
Église Saint-Martin is a striking 14th-century Gothic church that dominates the center of Colmar. The church is built of red and gold stones and is in the shape of a Latin cross. The Renaissance crown over the bell tower was added in the 16th century, following a fire. The current structure was built on the […]
Église Sainte-Croix, Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg’s red sandstone church, Église Sainte-Croix, is right in the middle of town. It was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The 13th-century west portal was built in Romanesque style, with arches and semicircular rows of columns. The 15th and 16th century construction resulted in a gothic style and features sweeping archways with decorated […]
Château de Chillon
13th-century Château de Chillon is worth seeing. Even if you’re completely castled-out (understandable while touring this region), Chillon warrants a stop if, for nothing else, than to see what Byron was so enraptured by. Chillon is a well-preserved medieval castle that majestically perches over the lake amidst thick trees and snow-covered, craggy mountains. The château […]
