FRANCE ~ White Stork - Alsace -

... A pretty postcard that made me smile... "we found the fabric"💙... according to European folklore, the stork is responsible for bringing babies to new parents... the legend is very ancient, but was popularized by Hans Christian Andersen story called The Storks... the natural behaviour of storks lends a clue to their association with birth... as a migratory bird, white storks would fly south in the fall and return to Europe nine months later in Spring when many babies were born... with so sweet "matching"????😄 Valentine's Day postmarks...  coming from the only French village with the name Saint-Valentin (Departement of Indre) that has every year a special postmark... this is showing two hearts and a pictorial cancellation featuring the famous Peynet's lovers... Thanks a lot Gilles!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Alsace is one of the 26 regions of France. It is on the eastern border of France and lies on the west bank of the Upper Rhine, next to Germany and Switzerland. Its capital and largest city is Strasbourg.

Storks usually live near shallow bodies of water where they wade through the water, and catch small animals, like frogs, crabs, or small fish. Many species of stork are migratory, they spend the summer and the winter in different places. The best known stork is the White Stork. It is known to build large nests in high places, like on chimneys. Stork nests are often very large. They may be used for many years.

Stamps:

Reflections - Landscapes of the World
(Issued 07-01-2017)

FRANCE ~ Versailles - Paris - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of Neptunes watching over Chateau de Versailles... the true gem of the palace lies in it's gardens... in addition to the exquisite interiors, Versailles includes many famous french-style gardens and 55 unique fountains... tributes to mythology are a major theme in the gardens...  over 3 million people visit the palace every year (an average of 8,000 per day)😮... most of the time overcrowded, but a must-see... Thanks a lot Mrva!!【ツ】

 

This palace was built by Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. XIV reigned from the age of five until his death just shy of his 77th birthday. To this day, he remains the longest reigning monarch in European history. The Palace, which was once just a hunting lodge, was the primary residence of the Kings of France for over 100 years, until the French Revolution.

The Bassin de Neptune(Basin of Neptune) is an artificial pool created by Le Notre in 1679-1684 with sculptures by Adam, Bouchardon and Lemoyne dating from 1740 onwards. Neptune carrying his trident, his wife Amphitrite with a sceptre and 2 others of Oceanus on a unicorn and Proteus with sea creatures and plants.

In 1979, the gardens along with the château were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:

Sosthéne Mortenol, 1859-1930
(Issued 13-04-2018)

FRANCE ~ A Children's choir - Painting by Hansi ~

... Lovely painting of a children's choir...  wearing  the traditional headdresses of Colmar... this watercolor was made in 1920...  Hansi loved children and his work shows it well...  famous for his watercolors and caricatures, commercials and signs, engravings and paintings... a "the tender and rebellious artist" in the history of the 20th C... Thanks a lot Gilles!!【ツ】

ⒸSARL HANSI Jean-Jacques Waltz (1873-1951), also known as "Oncle Hansi", or simply "Hansi" ("little John") was a French artist of Alsatian origin. He was a staunch pro-French activist, and is famous for his quaint drawings, some of which contain harsh critiques of the Germans of the time. He was also a French hero of both the First and the Second World Wars.

“Hansi” tell us testimonies on the popular traditions and daily life in the Alsatian villages in the 19th century. Naive and incisive the draftsman presents a magical world for children and caustic reading on the annexation of Alsace for adults.

Stamps:

Vincent Van Gogh
(Issued ???)

Star Wars stamps
(Issued 2015??)

FRANCE ~ Hôtel national des Invalides - Paris ~

.... Paris beauty nr 2... the largest museum of military history in France... a gem for historic lovers... with interesting exhibitions about the French Revolution, both world wars, clothing and weapons, warfare and strange gadgets from days long past... but Les Invalides is most famous for holding the Tomb of Napoleon...Thanks once more Dustin!!

Photo: P. SIMARD The Hôtel des Ivalides was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV as a hospital and home for retired veterans, the hospital grew into an entire complex, which continues to serve its original purpose today along with housing several museums and monuments open to visitors, including the Paris Army Museum.

In 1815, after Napoleon's abdication, over 5,000 survivors of the Great Army were listed there. Napoleon inspected the place and visited his men in 1808, 1813 and 1815. The chapel of the Invalides was built at the end of the 17thC by Jules-Hardouin Mansart.

Stamp:

Sosthéne Mortenol, 1859-1930
(Issued 13-04-2018)

FRANCE ~ The Louvre - Paris - UNESCO ~

... First of two great Paris museums... a beautiful night view of one the largest and most-visited art museums in the world... the Louvre’s galleries are displayed across 652,300 square feet – which is nearly 15 acres... it welcomes around 15.000 visitors per day, and 70% are foreign tourists... the reason for its popularity is its collection of 38.000 priceless masterpieces and antiques... Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is undoubtedly one of the most famous pieces of art in the Louvre... Thanks so much  Dustin!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Photo: Ⓒ Jen-Marie Charles
The Musée du Louvre was not originally museum. It was a fortress that was built in 1190. In the 16thC, it was turned from a fortress into a royal palace. It was only in 1793, after the French Monarchy moved to the Palace of Versailles, that the first Louvre museum was opened to the public, and offered just 537 paintings.

Napoleon once renamed the Louvre to Musée Napoleon and expanded its collection by 5,000 pieces. The pieces were, however, returned to the original owners when the military leader was defeated.

The Louvre’s glass pyramid was built in 1989 and is 2m high and is made solely of glass and metal. The architect, I.M. Pei, was the first non-French architect to work on the Louvre. Many are unaware that the glass pyramid is one of four, as three smaller glass pyramids surround the courtyard, Cour Napoleon.

On the unesco WHS list Paris, Banks of the Seine since 1991.

Stamps:

Animated Series - Hello Maestro
(Issued 23-09-2017)

30th anniversary of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
(Issued 12-10-2017)

FRANCE ~ Petite France - Strasborug - UNESCO ~

... Lovely view of the most charming district of Strasbourg... Petite France is a nostalgic view into an ancient way of life... with the typical colorful half-timbered houses and canals... a must visit when in Strasbourg  ...this area was in the Middle Ages home to the city's tanners, millers and fishermen... stamped at the European Parliament... Heel Erg Bedankt Johan!!【ツ】➝Johan Postcards

Strasbourg is the capital and largest city of the Grand Est region of France and is the official seat of the European Parliament.

La "Petite France" is a historic quarter of the city of Strasbourg in eastern France. It is located at the western end of the Grande Île, which contains the historical centre of the city.

The name Petite-France ("Little France") was not given for patriotic or architectural reasons. It comes from the "hospice of the syphilitic" (Hospice des Vérolés, in French), which was built in the late 15thC on this island, to cure persons with syphilis, then called Franzosenkrankheit ("French disease") in German.

Petite France forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Grande Île, designated in 1988.

Stamp:

2017 EUROPA Stamps - Palaces and Castles
(Issued 14-05-2017)

FRANCE ~ Fortifications of Vauban - Mont-Louis - UNESCO ~

...Many great views of an important piece of history... a charming fortified town and the highest walled town in France... this fortified place is one of the most beautiful examples of military architecture of the 17thC created by Vauban....with impressive intact walls...  the French commandos still use the fort as a training base... Thanks once more Josep & Assumpta!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At an altitude of 1608 m, at the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees,  at the crossroad of Conflent, Capcir and Cerdagne valleys,the town of Mont-Louis was founded in the 17th century in response to the order of King Louis (built between 1679 and 1681) to secure the area after the Treaty of the Pyrenees which ended decades of hostilities between France and Spain.

It features not only the famous Vauban era constructions but also a beautiful 18th century church and also the first experimental solar furnace in the world (1949). Vauban's Mont Louis perfectly built fortification was never besieged.

Since 2008 (Vauban main sites network) is registred on the UNESCO WHS list in conformance with the "Fortificationsof Vauban", the fortificated city of Mont-Louis is a member of twelve sites created by Vauban.

Stamp:

 2017 EUROPA Stamps - Palaces and Castles (Issued 14-05-2017)

FRANCE ~ Castle of Montségur ~

...First of two more wonderful surprises...  this aerial view of Cather Castle is perched on the very top of a "Pog" or small very steep imposing mountain...the best known of all Cathar Castles.... with spectacular views from the top over the surrounding valleys... this castle is said to have once held the Holy Grail...  Thanks a lot dear Josep and Assumpta!! (✿ ♥‿♥)➝http://cartesipostalsdarreu.blogspot.be/

Montségur is situated in the Ariege, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, on a pog (a volcanic pluton) at an altitude of 1,207 meters.

The ruins that can be seen today are not those of the Cathar fortress, but of a 17th century French defensive castle (although it is said that its stones were taken from the rubble of the previous construction).

It is famous as the last Cathar stronghold, which fell after a 10 month siege in 1244. A field below the hilltop castle is reputed to be the site where over 200 Cathars were burned alive, having refused to renounce their faith.

Stamp:

2017 EUROPA Stamps - Palaces and Castles
(Issued 14-05-2017)

FRANCE ~ Omaha Beach Cemetery - Normandy ~

...A serene, sad, impressive and moving view...thousands of perfectly lined rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David of US soldiers who died so far from home helping us... why some people still think war is the answer is unbelievable (⌣́_⌣̀)... Thanks a lot Stéphane!!

The American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooks Omaha Beach. Originally, 23,000 Americans were buried there, but 14,000 were eventually repatriated. Of the 9,386 soldiers who rest here, only 307 remain unidentified. The cemetery has a lovely garden commemorating the 1,557 men who remain missing.

Normandy, is the place where the largest seaborne invasion in history took place. In just one night (on Tuesday, 6 June 1944)  24,000 British, US, and Canadian airborne troops landed on the coast.

The Normandy coast was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword Beach. Due to bad weather conditions the mission was partially successful and that success had a very high price. The biggest loss of lives was at Omaha beach.

Stamps:

Marianne

Year of the Monkey
(Issued 29-01-2016)

FRANCE ~Birds of Bretagne ~

...Beautiful seabirds postcard...Thanks a lot Sylvie!

A variety of seabirds can be seen close to the seaside, which is home to colonies of cormorants, gulls, razorbills, northern gannets, common murres and Atlantic puffins. Most of these birds breed on isolated islands and rocks and thus are hard to observe.

Brittany  (French: Bretagne),  is one of the 18 regions of France. It is named after the historic and geographic region of Brittany, of which it constitutes 80%. The regional capital is Rennes.

Stamps:

French Polar Exploration
(Issued 19-10-1968)

Trains
(Issued  14-06-2014)

FRANCE ~Languedoc coast ~

...a naturist beach resort...not for me...but if you like it why not(◕‿-) ...thanks Jobbo!!

Cap d'Agde is well known for its naturist  section where the beach and surrounding facilities including shops, restaurants and banks, one of the largest developed resorts of this type in the world. Most of the section is 'clothing optional' but the 5km long beach in this part of the resort is naturist only.

The Languedoc, is the central region of the south of France; it includes the western Mediterranean coast of France, stretching from the Rhone valley in the east, to the Spanish border in the south west.

Stamp:

National symbols Mankind (Women)- Marianne
(Issued 16-07-2013)

FRANCE ~Strasbourg - Palace of Europe ~

...Great surprise postcard nr 2 coming from Johan... cancelled by the Council of Europe's Post Office... Thanks a lot!! (http://johanpostcards.blogspot.be/ )

Photo: © I. Anger The Palace of Europe  is a building that has served as the seat of the Council of Europe since 1977 when it replaced the 'House of Europe'.

The Palace of Europe square in shape, 106 metres on each side, with a height of 38 metres (nine stories). Its total working area is 64,000 square metres. It has 17 meeting rooms and a thousand offices for staff of the Council of Europe secretariat. The exterior of the building is red, silver, and brown.

 From the outside, the Palace of Europe resembles a fortress, since the rows of windows are arranged like arrow slits. The Parliament chamber is covered by a giant dome and resembles an enormous shell.

Stamp:

60 years of cultural cooperation European
(Issued 06-10-2014)

FRANCE ~Strasbourg - The European Parliament ~

...Beautiful modern and impressive glassed building...like an island in the river... great stamp and special cancellation...even though we're not going on a summer holiday (maybe a few daytrips)...  with so many nice surprises in my mailbox lately I also have the "♥ holiday feeling ♥ "Big thanks Johan!! (http://johanpostcards.blogspot.be/)

Photo: © René Mattes The city of Strasbourg is the official seat of the European Parliament. The institution is legally bound to meet there twelve sessions a year lasting about four days each.

The Parliament's buildings are located in the Quartier Européen (European Quarter) of the city, which it shares with other European organisations which are separate from the European Union's.

Stamp:

"The "Carré d'Encre" seen by... an artist"

The stamp depicts two pigeons (another symbol of Paris) on a roof watching the now famous Red "Carré d'Encre" storefront, and stating that a new stamp was issued there!
( Issued18-01-2014)

FRANCE ~ Paris and it's wonders - Bridge of Alexandre III ~

...View of the most beautiful and grand bridge in Paris...with great "Citroen" car stamp and special cancellation! Thanks a lot Johan! http://johanpostcards.blogspot.be/

Photo: Frédéric Soreau The Pont Alexandre III ( 1897-1900) is a deck arch bridge that spans the Seine in Paris, built by Jean Résal and Amédée Alby which connects the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais on the right bank with the Hôtel des Invalides on the left bank. It is classified as a French Monument historic.The bridge was named after Tsar Alexandre III to commemorate the Franco-Russian Alliance signed in 1892 and  was built specifically for the Universal Exposition of 1900.

Citroen on French postage stamps.

La Poste is paying tribute to this history, telling the story of Citroen with the introduction of a complete book of 10 stamps.

 The stamps were on advance sale on 25 October at the brand’s showcase on the Champs-Elysées in Paris

FRANCE ~Paris ~

...Lovely postcard showing the most famous places to visit in the city...Bedankt Dorien en Ben!!

Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is, with 2.2 million people living in the central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area, one of the largest agglomerations in Europe.

Located in the north of France on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities.

The city has the second highest number of Michelin-restaurants in the world  and contains numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist site the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, Lido etc, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world with 45 million tourists annually.



Photos: Ed Guy,Charles Dubois, Lacz/sunset, Le Gac, Nicolas

                                                            Stamp:
                                                            Machine label

FRANCE ~Gallo Roman bridge-Vaison ~

From friends vacation in "the heart of the Provence"... Bedankt allemaal!^^


Stamp:
National symbols Mankind (Women)- Marianne
(Issued 16-07-2013)

Vaison-la-Romaine is situated between the Rhone Valley and the Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse Department.

The gallo-roman remnants are spread over 15 ha, this makes Vaison-la-Romaine the largest archeological field in France.

The bridge is classified as "Historic Monument" since 1840. Le Pont Romain is one of the largest in the Province of Narbonne (barrel vault dating from the 1st century with 17,20 m opening 9 m wide). It is the only unusual Antique bridge still used today.

FRANCE ~ Fontainebleau Forest - UNESCO tentative List ~

...Great nature views...with 15 million visitors a year the forest is one of France's major tourist destinations...Thanks Fabienne!!


Nice stamp: Cranes of Japan UNESCO
(Issued12-11-2013)

Fontainebleau forest is a 136 hectare reserve protected since 1853 with mainly oak, Scots pine and beech - heath lands, open rock areas of sandstone, wetlands and semi-permanent ponds.  It is particularly known for its unique rock formations and soft white sand that makes it the Mecca of Rock climbers. It is in the Ile de France region some 70km south-east of Paris.

 It became the 356th  Biospere Reserve in 1998 and is on the Tentative UNESCO list since 1996.

FRANCE ~Corsica - Gulf of Girolata - UNESCO~

...Last of 6 received postcards sent by Dieter and Eve during their vacation in one of the most beautiful islands...crystal clear azure waters with impressive mountains...Thanks so much for these amazing postcards and sharing it all with me!! ^__^


With the common "Marianne Beaujard" stamp.
 (Issued 01-07-2011)

Girolata is a (quite inaccessible) village and region at the south of the Scandola Nature Reserve in western Corsica, about 35 km north-west from Porto. It falls within the western part of the Corsica Natural Park.The Gulf of Porto-Girolata and the reserve of Scandola have been on the UNESCO world-heriritage list since 1983.

Corsica:
Fiercely independent, the Corsicans speak their own language and fly their own flag, featuring a black Moor’s head with white headband: the “bandiera testa mora”. The language appears to be a mismatch of Italian and French.

FRANCE ~Corsica - Scandola-UNESCO~

...Overwhelming mountain scenery and a deep blue sea... another wonderful postcard from Corsica!! Thanks so much Dieter en Eve!!


 With the common "Marianne Beaujard" stamp.
 (Issued 01-07-2011)

Located along the Gulf of Porto and Girolata, on the north western coast of Corsica, the Scandola Nature Reserve (Reserve Naturelle de Scandola) ranks as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comes with hidden grottos and inlets, peaceful sandy beaches and remote headlands. located along the Gulf of Porto and Girolata, on the north western coast of Corsica,

FRANCE ~Corsica-Ajaccio-Napoleon statue~

...Friends holiday card nr 4 of Corsica... great statue of one of the most important people in Corsican history and once the most powerful person in France...Thanks a lot Dieter and Eve!!

Ajaccio is the island's capital and is best known as the birthplace of Napoleon (1769-1821).

 This is  a statue of Napoleon in Roman costume on horse-back.


Napoleon is regarded as one of the greatest military leaders of all time due to his longtime success in wars, often against numerically superior enemies.