Nice, France (Parade of Lights)

When we decided to go to Nice for the Rock'N'Roll 10 Miler du Carnaval we knew we had to check out the Parade of Lights!

We made seat reservations online through their website, easy peasy.  We just printed the tickets out and took them with us to the gate!  The parade was amazing!  The people were so energetic and the floats were spectacular!

Nice, France

Although a gazillion and one things went wrong this weekend, we still had an amazing time making memories along the coast of the French Riveria!

(Photo from RnR Nice)

We went for the Rock'N'Roll 10 Miler du Carnaval (which was AWESOME by the way, you can read more about that adventure here).  It was just the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day weekend!

Verdun, France

After paying our respects at the Lorraine American Cemetery, we headed into the village of Verdun to see the historic battlefields.  The number of people who died here and the devastation caused by the battles are incomprehensible.  The area was so destroyed after the war (and full of leftover munitions) that the battlefield was declared a "Red Zone" and the nearby villages were unable to be rebuilt.

Our first stop in Verdun was the Douaumont Ossuary.  There is a very large (free) parking lot near the monument and it was easy to get to.  Inside you can visit the war museum and watch a video presentation (in English). However, they were closed during our visit (most everything is closed here in January).

Saint-Avold, France (Lorraine American Cemetery)

Today we had a quick day trip planned with some amazing friends of ours. Our first stop was the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France to pay respects to our many fallen comrades from WWII.

"The Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France covers 113.5 acres and contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II in Europe, a total of 10,489. Their headstones are arranged in nine plots in a generally elliptical design extending over the beautiful rolling terrain of eastern Lorraine and culminating in a prominent overlook feature. Most of the dead here were killed while driving the German forces from the fortress city of Metz, France toward the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. Initially, there were over 16,000 Americans interred in the St. Avold region in France, mostly from the U.S. Seventh Army's Infantry and Armored Divisions and its cavalry groups. St. Avold served as a vital communications center for the vast network of enemy defenses guarding the western border of the Third Reich. 

Champagne Region of France (Reims, Epernay)

Enjoyed a wonderful day in the champagne region of France with my friend, Sarah today!

We took a tour offer through RTT Travel.  I can't say we were very impressed with the "tour" (it was basically just an informational bus ride).  But, the stops in Epernay and Reims where very enjoyable!

Wissembourg, France

We took our first train ride to France, today!

We ended up taking a USO "Learn to Ride the German Train" tour to Wissembourg in the Alsace region of France.  The tour guide was super friendly and knowledgeable about the German train system.  It was nice to have an English guide to help answer questions and figure things out for the first time!  We'll definitely make use of the train system while we are here...

Metz, France

Took a quick day trip to Metz, France today to see the Cathedral...and in one word, WOW!

The Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Metz is one of the most gorgeous churches we've seen since we've moved to Europe...