Travelling Round France

[theno23]

I'm going to be driving round France in mid September, with my fiancée.

Stops are:

• Paris (couple of days)
• Bordeaux region (few days)
• Boulbon (Near Avignon, a week)
• Chamberey (few days)
• Reims (one night)
• then home (London)

Does anyone have recommendations of places to see near those stops? We know Paris and Bordeaux fairly well, but other than that it's new to us.

I like shooting buildings, and I dabble in landscapes, but really I'll happily shoot anything that's interesting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveharris/). My other half only really likes shooting wildlife, and doesn't use rangefinders.

For anyone that's interested, I'll be taking my M9, and M6TTL (for B&W), plus a Nikon for tele stuff. I mostly shoot with 50mm (nokton, summicron), with the occasional 28 (elmarit), and 90 (summicron).

If there's anywhere in France I'm likely to be able to pick up a 50 Summilux ASPH, I'll be all ears, I've been on a waiting list in London for a couple of months.

We did a similar trip last year round Italy, before I had the M9 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveharris/sets/72157622208069601/), and the film and processing nearly bankrupted me, so I won't take so much film this year!

Thanks,
Steve

 

[kossi008]

The film and processing nearly bankrupted you... and then you bought an M9? Do you really shoot that much film? Sorry for the OT, no help on the sights from me... Roger?

 

[wgerrard]

Film costs are higher in Italy than in London?

 

[theno23]

The film and processing nearly bankrupted you... and then you bought an M9? Do you really shoot that much film? Sorry for the OT, no help on the sights from me... Roger?

OK, exageration I guess! But I was paying something like €10-€15/roll for velvia (in touristly places), and then around £15 to get it processed and scanned back home. I think I worked out that on average it was costing me about £25/roll all in, and I shot about 20 rolls (a bit under 2 per day). I could probably have sought out cheaper development, but there's a trust aspect.

The financial aspect to the M9 purchase was mostly justification I guess, but over a few years it will make some kind of sense. Incidentally I prefer the ISO 160 pictures from the M9 to Velvia 100, which was my favourite colour film.

- Steve

 

[theno23]

Film costs are higher in Italy than in London?

In touristy places yes, and expecially as the pound was very weak against the euro. I was able to get Velvia or Provia in a surpising number of random places, but it wasn't cheap. I don't remember the exact cost, but €10+ sounds about right. I pay about £6 in London.

 

[user237428934]

Bordeaux: not far away is the bassin d'arcachon at the atlantic ocean. Nice villages there (ok, a little touristic) and "la dune du pyla" the biggest sand dune in europe that is still moving a few feet every year. In Bordeaux there is "la base sous-marine" an old german submarine bunker that is now used as place for art exhibitions. I may be interesting if you haven't seen such a large bunker.

 

[The Standard Deviant]

For E6 and C41, Genie Imaging in London develop a roll for £1.99 + vat. I haven't had any problems with them at all. http://www.genieimaging.co.uk/index_red.htm

 

[chrisso]

Avignon has the Palace Of The Popes, a huge religious complex. And of course the bridge (sur la pont d'avignon).
Not far from Avignon are some of the most stunning towns and villages of Provence. Lot's of incredible lavender fields etc....

 

[gliderbee]

[*]Boulbon (Near Avignon, a week)
Does anyone have recommendations of places to see near those stops? We know Paris and Bordeaux fairly well, but other than that it's new to us.

If you're near Avignon, go visit Apt, a small town about 50km to the East, and from Apt, go visit "Sint-Saturnin-les-Apt", a small village about 10km north of Apt. You'll love it.

Stefan

 

[theno23]

For E6 and C41, Genie Imaging in London develop a roll for £1.99 + vat. I haven't had any problems with them at all. http://www.genieimaging.co.uk/index_red.htm

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been meaning to try them for a while, but was a bit concerned as they are so cheap compared to Peak and co.

 

[theno23]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I've made notes, and I'll be sure to visit the places mentioned.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[JeffMerlet]

Great that you are staying a week in Boulbon. there is a lot of great places to visit.
Not far you have Saint Remy de Provence (nice typical Provence village) with close by the Glanum site (roman ruines) and also le Chateau des Baux de Provence (medieval ruines on hill) and its Cathedral d'images.
Then, there is also Arles (on your way to Camargue for example) and its Arenes.
For wild life simply go south to the Camargue (flamingo, bulls, horses, etc.) around Saintes Marie de la Mer. All those trips are between 20 min and 1 hour from Boulbon.
And for a big nice city with an amazing old downtown (lots of amazing cafe, little places, a lot of nice shopping, sight seeing, etc. without having to take the car once you parked), simply go to Aix-en-Provence. Every morning there is a big farmer's market. and also its amazing cours mirabeau with a beautiful fontain. few months ago there were amazing sculptures around the fountain; don't know if they are still there.

Some good google searches:
- chateau des baux de provence
- glanum
- les arenes d'arles
- camargue
- saintes marie de la mer
- aix en provence downtown
- cours mirabeau

Enjoy your stay in France; you'll have a lot of fun!

Jeff

 

[David Hughes]

OK, exageration I guess! But I was paying something like €10-€15/roll for velvia (in touristly places), and then around £15 to get it processed and scanned back home. I think I worked out that on average it was costing me about £25/roll all in, and I shot about 20 rolls (a bit under 2 per day)...

Hi, I think I ought to point you to 7dayshop.com and add that £17-40 will get you four cassettes of Velvia 100F 135-36 delivered. It's well worth browsing their film prices.

Regards, David

 

[alexnotalex]

In Paris, don't forget L'institut du monde Arabe in the 5th is an amazing building, a change from the staple Hausmann we all love. It's also near Notre Dame, ile de la Cite, Place des Vosges... all sublime, and justifiably photographed to death 🙂

Alex

 

[theno23]

Hi, I think I ought to point you to 7dayshop.com and add that £17-40 will get you four cassettes of Velvia 100F 135-36 delivered. It's well worth browsing their film prices.

Regards, David

Thanks, I only shoot film for B&W now, but a bargain is always good 🙂 At home I use silverprint in waterloo, as it's near where I live.

 

[David Hughes]

Thanks, I only shoot film for B&W now, but a bargain is always good 🙂 At home I use silverprint in waterloo, as it's near where I live.

Hi, in that case I'll add that they do FP4 and the mailers, too.

Regards, David