Birthplace of Joan of Arc

Birth place of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 in Domrémy-la-Pucelle.

In 1431, at 19 years of age she was burned at the stake as a heretic

In 1920 she was canonized as a Catholic saint.

For her life story see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

I must have been about 18 years old when I first passed by the birth house of Joan of Arc, however only very briefly. I had always wanted to return, but never found myself in that area again until this summer when we were returning from visiting family and decided to do a little detour to visit Domrémy. Unfortunately I once again only had a short time as we had a rental car due to be returned and  were already running late….. Lesson learned, don’t short book yourself and start late when using a rental!

It had changed from what I remembered in that there is a modern building with a gift shop, and museum near the house. The house itself is very simple as it was stripped bare of all but the four walls, fire places and roof with a small garden surrounding it. It being a place of such importance in French and catholic history I personally feel it should be free to visit, I think Jeanne would have preferred it that way.

So here are a few photos taken inside the house, and a visit to Domrémy with time to spare will remain on my ‘To-visit’ list.

Birth room

Copy of a statue of oan of Arc donated by king Louis-Philippe in 1843

The brothers bedroom

Store room

Door to the store room in the forefront

Bedroom shared by Joan and her sister

Garden view from the front door

Basilica of Domrémy-la-Pucelle

Beautiful view of the surrounding country side

With my daughter Rosaline and niece

Visit to Florence

I wanted to share with my readers a few photos from our little trip to Florence. My dear maman came to watch the children, so my husband and I were able to escape a couple days for a well deserved holiday.

Florence is one of the most visited cities and Italy, and July might just be one of the warmest and busiest months. The first day we visited the Galleria Uffizi. A beautiful museum, and well worth waiting the 40 minutes in the line - despite our having arrived right around opening time.

We had planned on seeing as much as possible, but the long lines in the hot Italian sun did not appeal too much – So we explored on our own, rested then went out in the evening to see the Ponte Vecchio and eat Gelato.

The next day we took a long walk along the Viale Galileo, the sun was not too high yet and the view was beautiful.

There is so much to see in the historical center of Florence, statues, replicas, beautiful buildings, etc… but the best time is definitely early in the morning before the town comes alive with crowds of tourist, and crazy traffic. 

The evenings are lovely, a little cooler but with still a lot to see and experience. Our second evening we sat on the Ponte Vecchio, listening to a street musician while the sun set….no photos, some things just need to be experienced not documented !

The Duomo

Statue of Dante Alighieri

Even if you don't manage to see all the museums, there is plenty of art, and replicas to enjoy around town

Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is very crowded during the day, but early in the morning before the shop opens it's so charming with  the small gold sellers stalls all secured up with metal bars, padlocks and decorative iron works.

View from the Ponte Vecchio

View of Florence from the Viale Galileo

More views from the Viale Galileo

Ponte Vecchio to the left, and Palazzo Vecchio to the right

Piazzale Michelangelo

Gamle Norge - R.T.Pritchett

Gamle Norge, 1879

‘Gamle Norge’ is an account written in the 1870’s by an English gentlemen who travelled in Norway to see and experience the ‘old ways’. 

Purposely avoiding spending too much time in the big cities he travelled through the countryside, visiting remote villages, glaciers, went reindeer hunting and often slept beneath the stars. 

My copy was printed in 1879, and was a lucky find in an old bookstore in Tønsberg.

The book is written in a charming and engaging manner, you feel the excitement of the traveller as he describes the peasants, their traditions, dwellings, and simple way of life. 

Much has changed in Norway, but one thing that will never change is the spirit of the traveller, and these lamentations written in the Victoria era still ring true today. 

“In these days of express trains, fish torpedoes going twenty knots an hour, telegrams, and instantaneous photographs, people will not give sufficient time to do anything with steady enjoyment. Skurry and scuttle are too prominent by far”

“..Still we made the best of it, and came to the conclusion that one of the charms of travel is the variety of situation; and then, after all, with pleasant companions, anything short of bad accidents is only the kind of thing which the true traveller must expect, and almost seeks.”

R.T.Pritchett

Original blog post from 2012: http://roland-designs.blogspot.no/2012/10/gamle-norge.html