Bad Ragaz, Switzerland

 

If a town has the name Bad before its name that means it's a spa town. Thermal waters were discovered in Bad Ragaz, population 6,100, back in 1840. This is the main street running through town. 

Everything was looking normal except I started seeing all kinds of sculptures in various spots around town.

Looks like these guys are playing bocce ball. 

Closer inspection finds they're not real. 

It turns out I stumbled upon the largest open-air sculpture exhibition in Europe. Every three years Bad Ragaz hosts the event and it runs from May to October. 

Rhino head atop hotel building.

I love these two women.

Close-up of one.

Close-up of second woman. 

A couple enjoying cocktails. I hope you notice they're made of wood plus, she has slipped out of her shoes. 

There're are so many art installations around that I had to check to make sure this is a real church. Yes it is. 

This creek running through town has a yellow surfboard strung up across it.

Even this pedestrian bridge over the creek has art.

This building houses the tourist office. Note the trapeze artist.

The woman pictured was manning a booth. My German is poor and she doesn't speak English. I pointed to the water fountain and showed her my water bottle and gestured if I could drink. She nodded. I go to fill up my bottle and it must be 100 degrees--it's thermal water!

I go back to her and she's still talking to that guy. I grabbed a couple brochures off a display case. There's a pile of pamphlets at her booth and figure it must be about the art sculpture exhibit. The woman is still yakking to this guy so I grabbed a pamphlet and started walking away. Next thing I know she's yelling and running after me.  The pamphlets aren't free--10 Swiss francs equals $12. 

Annecy, France

 

Annecy, population 130,000, is always crawling with tourists. This is probably the most photographed

scene in Annecy. You've got the 12th century castle Palais de I'lsle in the middle of the slow-moving Thiou river along with colorful flowers lining the riverbanks. Over the centuries the castle had been a courthouse and prison--even housing prisoners during World War II--it now houses a museum.  

The beautiful old town is worth wandering around. 

Along with the Thiou river, three canals pass through Annecy--giving it the nickname "Venice of the Alps". 

I've been to Annecy multiple times with the last being in 2010. Scroll back on my blog to 2010 to see pictures. Anyway, it seems I always show up on a Sunday and of course, most of the patisseries would be closed. It's not Sunday but, don't find a single pastry shop worth trying. 

I do however find a butcher/deli worth grabbing some edibles. 

   

Window display of the butcher/deli shop

Another canal view.

More scenes from old town. 

That's Annecy Castle in the background. I better go up for a closer look.  

This is the entrance to Annecy Castle, which was built between the 12th and 16th centuries. There's a complex of buildings inside however, it's 9:30 AM and it doesn't open until 10:30 AM and I don't want to hang around.

Like most parts of the world, there's a homeless problem here as this guy is catching a few winks. 

Part of Annecy Castle fortifications. 

Another canal view.

It's 9:30 AM and the old town is coming alive.

Another canal view.

Bridge over canal.

Lake Annecy is a beautiful lake. I've cycled around--roughly 20 miles. 

Grenoble, France

 

I've been following the Isere River as I make my way to Grenoble (population 160,000). Situated at the foot of the French Alps, Grenoble was the host city of the 1968 Winter Olympics. Don't know why the river is an ugly grey color. Entering Grenoble I see these strange cable cars zipping across the river. Where are they going?

Whoa, the cable cars are heading way the heck up to that fortress. Turns out that's Fort de La Bastille, built between 1822-1823, it's the biggest tourist attraction in the region. I gotta figure out how to cycle up there.  

That's Porte de France, one of the old city gates and dates back to 1620. 

Here's a view from Bastille fortress.

I'm waiting for the cable cars to show up. Cable cars started making the trip back in 1934. Over 600,000 visitors visited this place last year.

The cable cars have a nickname: bubbles. 

The place is swarming with visitors. 

That's an entrance to a military museum--which is manned by active military personnel. The city of Grenoble has owned the site since 1970.  

Another view from Bastille fortress.

Wow, I like this impressive sculpture. Known as the Lion fountain it dates back to 1843.

That snake looks pretty mad.

The lion looks pretty intense. 

Chambery, France

Chambery (population 59,000) is situated at the foot of the French Alps next to Lake du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. This fountain, situated in the city's most prominent square, ranks as one of the coolests I've ever come across. That's General Benoit de Boigne atop the fountain--see next photo.  

Yep, those are life-size elephants (four of 'em) with water spewing out their trunks. What the heck? General Benoit de Boigne (1751-1830), who's also a Count, was born in Chambery and was a military adventurer. Boigne's travels took him to India where he made a huge fortune. Eventually returning to Chambery the Count became a very generous benefactor establishing charities for the needy and poor as well as donating money for building roads and churches. 

Built in 1838 to honor General Benoit de Boigne's exploits in India, it's the city's most famous landmark. The Elephants Fountain is the formal name but, there's an informal name: Les Quatre Sans Culs--which translates to "the four without asses" 

The local ice hockey team is called the Chambery Elephants. Doesn't exactly conjure images of fast moving hockey players. 

That is Chateau Chambery. Dating back to 1285, this fortress is now a regional Administrative complex.

This is the backside of Chateau Chambery.

Inside the chateau's courtyard stands Sainte-Chapelle. 

Still can see parts of the chateau's medieval fortifications.

Street scene in Chambers city center.

So, this is my reason for visiting Chambery. This building dates back to 1832 and is a listed historical landmark. The name above the door "Au  Fidele Berger" translates to "Faithful Shepherd". Ever since 1832 it has housed a patisserie. Behind the woman--near the entrance door is a silver plaque with the words "Relais Desserts". So? Well, if you've been following my blog you know

I have a big sweet tooth. 

Relais Desserts is an organization of about 100 pastry chefs and chocolate makers from 19 countries with the overwhelming majority located in France. They like to think of themselves as the creme de la creme of sweet makers. During my travels I've visited about two dozen. 

Cedric Pernot, whose name you see in the window, has been here since 2011. 

I've recently been fixated on Paris-Brests so I tried one. Somewhat similar to a cream puff. It was good but not good enough for me to grab another. 

These cakes looked yummy.