Posts Tagged ‘Clermont Ferrand’
While the kids and the adults were having fun talking and playing I was shooting.
Which is fun too…
But the fun doesn’t always end with the camera.
Sometimes I play after.
I could play all night with the images but tonight I need to get a good nights sleep.
Enjoy!
Leslie
In case you were wondering what French guys do in their spare time…
I’m told it’s a trend but considering five out of five French guys were prepared with a set of boules de pétanque (pétanque balls) in the back of their cars I would call it a competitive obsession versus a trend.
Pétanque is a serious sport with 17 million French people playing the game casually, especially in the summertime when they have more free time.
Pétanque can be played in teams or as individuals. The goal is to get your boule closest to the small round colorful marker called a cochonnet (little piglet).
And there are serious strategies and terms like pointing and shooting on how to accomplish that – like knocking someone else’s boule out of the way.
But not everyone takes the game seriously…
I think it’s a nice way to socialize…
I think this group would agree.
Enjoy!
Leslie
A trip to Clermont wouldn’t be complete without a visit to le Boulanger (the baker).
I met the boulanger in June and fell in love… you would too if you met him. This boulanger is funny, nice to his clients, and above all has the best bread in town!
I’m sure the Boulanger likes me too because not only did he let me take photos of all the mouth watering goods in his shop he escorted me to the kitchen to photograph the baking bread!
After a subsequent visit without me Claudine confirmed that le boulanger was very excited about my photos and can’t wait to plan the details of my next visit.
I’m excited too and am hoping the next visit will include taste tests of anything fresh out of the oven…
Because in case you didn’t know the only thing better than French bread is warm French bread… Yum!
Unfortunately the boulanger is married which is unfortunate because I’m certain I would make an excellent boulanger’s wife… marketing, photographing and taste testing all the goods.
So if you know of any funny, nice, single boulangers or other please send them my way.
If you are also looking for love I highly recommend a visit to the boulanger on Rue du Cheval Blanc in Clermont Ferrand. The boulanger may not be available but like his loyal clientele I guarantee you will fall in love too.
Enjoy!
Leslie
Click this link to my Flickr profile to enjoy more pictures from the boulangerie, including the kitchen!
I promised Claudine I would help make Clermont look beautiful.
Not an easy task considering the city’s dreary weather but Claudine always blames the “pierre de volvic” which is the black volcanic stone that many of the buildings are made of.
Black volcanic stone, an imposing gothic cathedral, medieval streets and an occasional peering gargoyle – she has a point – but I still love Clermont.
The sun would have made my challenge easier but the first time the sun came out I had left my camera in the apartment convinced it would rain (which it did but with the sun still shining).
The second time the sun showed it’s face I was out of battery – which rarely happens.
And as soon as I left the sun came out and temperatures skyrocketed to 90°F….aghh!
But no matter what the weather is in Clermont I still like wandering the quiet little streets sprinkled with small obscure shops and cafes.
The city ranks as one of the oldest cities in France and was one of the largest cities in Gaul during Roman times.
These days the locals aren’t too concerned about their history but about their rugby team who as of this year are the French champions.
My only concerns when visiting Clermont are spending time with Claudine and what surprises I will find in her kitchen.
Pretty city or not, I’ll be back!
Leslie
