Lance's Commander's European Trip for 1997

In November I took a 6 day trip to Europe. Most of the time was spent in Paris with 2 days spent in Lausanne, Switzerland. We saw the usual Parisian sights and also the Princess Diana crash site (not my idea and not much to see). My favorite was the ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. As you can see the weather was less then perfect but warmer than Minnesota.

Paris Icon

We also went to the catacombs below the streets of Paris. I still can't get over all the human bones down there and how unprotected they are. In the US if someone dug up a relatives grave and put the bones in an underground cavern, people here would think you were the antichrist.

Skulls of the catacombs

We then took an all day bus tour to Mont St. Michel on the west coast of France. As you can see, its a beautiful town and monastary. The climb to the top was a long and laborious one but well worth it in the end. Remember this walled town from Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

Mont St. Michel

Mont St. Michel climb

High view from Mont St. Michel

We later went to the Palace of Versailles to walk around and marvel at the lavishness of royalty past.

Versailles Entrance

Halls of Versailles

Gardens of Versailles

Eventually we took the bullet train down the Lausanne, Switzerland to explore around. As you can see, the snow wasn't much lower in elevation than we were.

Swiss Alps

Later that day we took a local train to Montreux to see the Chateau de Chillon or the Chillon Castle. A dark, cold, cavernous castle with a 6 story high tower. This was a royal summer home mostly used to collect tolls from traveling Christians in centuries past.

Chateau de Chillon, Montreux (postcard)

Even though our trip was only 6 days, we packed in a lot sites to see and explore.
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