This pretty village in France is the perfect fairytale setting and classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France.” My favorite town as you may have noticed, I wrote about it in my previous post → Alsace France
Riquewihr a medieval town in the heart of the vineyards of Alsace, France. The charming half-timbered houses were built between 15th-18th century and with a Dolder that was used as a defense/gate from the 13th century.
Posting below the photos taken from this pretty village. This is where “Beauty and the Beast” got their movie inspiration. And you’ll see in these pictures why ❤️ Some I have posted already in Instagram 😊
houses are decorated with beautiful & bright colored flowers in spring/summerRiquewihr almost looks as if it has just dropped out of a fairytale bookthe best way to explore this town is by foot, and there are little museums which feature their wine and cheese making, old postal history, etc.The “Noel” themed houseone of the tiny streets in RiquewihrFairy/angel figurines from a souvenir shopPosing for a quick photo in her fave trinket shopanother “Beauty and the Beast” inspiration is this quaint fountainthe winemaker’s house, dates back to 16th century
Riquewihr, like their wine, gets better with time Indeed, Riquewihr is a very charming village. It has preserved its tradition and beauty, still unchanged even after 400 years.
On our fifth visit to Lourdes France, we were able to participate in the nightly rosary vigil. It starts at 9 pm and lasts for about an hour. Peace and hope enveloped me as we sang to the hymns and recitation of the rosary. Chanted with various languages I may not know but familiar and heartfelt. The procession is more than a ceremony that for devotees like me – is a time of prayer and grace.
I’d like to share the hymn – “Ave Maria de Lourdes” in French. As seen on a short clip I recorded below.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
O Vierge Marie, le peuple Chrétien, à Lourdes vous prie, chez vous il renvient.
Le fond de la roche s’éclaire à l’instant: la dame s’approche, fait signe à l’enfant.
“Venez, je vous prie, ici, quinze fois, avec vos amies entendre ma voix.”
Avec insistance la dame, trois fois, a dit: “pénitence” Chrétien, c’est pour toi!
“A cette fontaine venez et buvez; dans l’eau pure et sainte allez vous laver.”
“Je veux qu’ici même, au pied de ces monts, le peuple que j’aime vienne en procession.”
Alsace is a historical region in northeastern France, bordering Germany and Switzerland. It’s filled with beautiful small villages like one particular place called Riquewihr.
This old town is the perfect backdrop setting for fairytales i.e. Beauty & the Beast. Humming Belle’s song as we walked through this picturesque village. Charming and colorful houses, each has a unique theme of it’s own. And I even found the lovely fountain in this scene of Belle where she sat to read her book. The old town from the 16th century still feels the same until today and for me is the most beautiful village I’ve ever seen. I didn’t like to leave.
“Riquewihr – les plus beaux village de France”
Photos will be uploaded when I get back home, I promise 🙂
We stayed in Colmer, another quaint town in Alsace. Its cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. The gothic 13th century St. Martin cathedral took 600 years to built and stands tall in the central Place de la Cathédrale. The area along the canals is known as the La Petite Venise (Little Venice). You can take a boat ride to explore the old fishermen’s district.
Strasbourg. The capital city of Alsace. Being in the border of France and Germany, it was enriched with a unique combination of German and French influences. Its enthralling past gives this city a distinctive and endearing history.
We took a boat tour after visiting the gothic Cathédrale Notre-dame that houses the astronomical clock.
We hired a private bus as we traversed by land visiting different parts/countries of Europe. The view was spectacular, passing through Pyrenees mountain range, a natural border between France and Spain. And I just couldn’t take my eyes off during that 8 hour drive. Ofcourse we have to make a few stops along the road. It’s like watching scenes from Lord of the Rings with larger than life majestic landscapes.
me – first in the bus!
Our private bus is spacious. We were about 23 (all family-yes!) and the bus has more than 40 seater capacity. Plus our tour guide was very nice. He’s a French married to a Filipina and they own a travel agency which is based in Manila. End result – one noisy and happy bus!
and so they’ve arrived…European highways
In every roadtrip the memories we make may last momentarily. But because of some technological advancements I can now carry either iphone or smartphone with me (or even better – both). I find it difficult though to photograph roadside attractions during sudden turns and stops. so apologies for my blurry images 🙂 still a rookie.
signages
For me a great road trip is about the journey, and as important as the destination. So having a big pile of photos and editing them afterwards helps me a lot in telling my roadtrip story. A story – consist of laughters, endless chatting, occasional napping, humming with fave music, and fathomless munching on snacks and chocolates. I hope you had fun reading this post, till next time 🙂 – mitch more photos…
You’ll see this cross as you enter the sanctuary. It’s considered to be the holiest site in Lourdes, France.
Before, we thought of owning an apartment here. Though one helpful and local tour guide told us not to, because of taxes and high maintenance fees.
Lourdes has become a favorite place of mine, last year we stayed for 4 days and I went to the chapel daily. Prayed and drank in the sacred spring that welled up for the first time during the apparition of Mama Mary to St. Bernadette. The water was cold but it didn’t feel uncomfortably cold and chilly. Going back to the church, it was designed by Myroslav Nimciv, while its Byzantine interior polychrome decorations were executed by artist Jerzy Nowosielski. A beautiful statue of Mama Mary is standing right in the middle & facing the main basilica.
Her blue sash seemed to be swaying gracefully with the wind. And an intricate crown of gold-embroidered her head and perpetual face. The sanctuary is about 50 hectares with 22 places of worships, includes the sacred grotto, two main basilicas (photo of entrance seen below), and an assortment of chapels for the sick and pilgrim goers like me.
Roman Catholic faith is flourishing in Lourdes, I remember hearing Holy Masses in different languages like English, Spanish and Italian. One morning when I went alone to pray, I was mistaken to be an Italian and asked me to take photos of her group with the church as their background. Delighted and out of courtesy, I agreed and then went on to pray in the grotto.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
The rest of the places in Lourdes will be featured on my next posts, and hopefully I’ll have time to post more pictures as well. Much said about this quaint town, I heard it is second to Paris in terms of tourism and number of hotels. Most of my happy memories were also from this place, I was solely raised by my grandmother with strict values and traditions and visiting Lourdes is very sacred to me. I’m planning to bring her here someday, if she is able to travel, God willing.
Year 2011 when I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and ovarian cysts, a condition that made it crucial for me to conceive again. I had Laparoscopic procedures both for diagnosis and removal, but endometriosis in my uterus remain intact upto this day, this is one of the many difficult struggles we have to face. But it has made my faith deeper, so when we went to visit Lourdes last May I was more emotional than our previous pilgrims. I looked at the other hopefuls, some were more ill than I am, and in their stretchers and/or wheelchairs. I know we’re all present to experience the miracle, that one day we will be healed with our faith.
Tearful yet happy, the joy this place brings, never fails to remind me of God’s wonderful grace and love.
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