I’m sorting through hundreds of photos after being abroad the past three weeks. There were so many highlights from the trip, including nine days at the Olympics. You’ve certainly seen enough coverage of the Olympics, and people’s vacation photos, so I’ll stick to art and architecture. The French really know how to pick the perfect paint color for shutters and doors, mixed with the most beautiful gardens. I’ll spare you those as well.

The first week was spent in the Southwest region of France. It was perfect, and the people lovely. We ate more oysters than I can count and rented bikes. I won’t let you do the math, but I have not been on a bike since I was probably 12.

A Moorish style church, 1885, by architect Eugene Ormieres on the coast of the Arcachon Bay.

Bordeaux architects Lanoire et Courrian designed a reception center and tower at Chateau Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. The 360 degree view of the vineyard and their neighbors is fabulous. The mix of modern and old is spectacular. The tour was interesting and the wine excellent. I highly recommend a visit.

We stopped in a lot of wonderful small medieval towns in the Dordogne, and went kayaking on the Dordogne River. The limestone which was used on the buildings is like nothing I’ve seen before, and still mostly in good shape.

I have always been enamored with the architecture of Jean Nouvel and was thrilled to find his work in Sarlat. Nouvel designed one of my favorite buildings on The High Line in New York City. I first learned about him as he designed the Institut du Monde Arabe, which we walked by several times while in Paris.

Nouvel designed the 21st-century nave in the bell tower of the former Saint Mary’s Church which now houses a covered market.

We spent our last night in Bordeaux before heading to Paris. I’ll share that in a separate post as to not overwhelm you!