The bourdon, which you hear clearly here, is the largest and deepest-sounding bell, also called “Death bell” as it was traditionally used for mourning. It weighs 7.5 tons and is 2.2 meters - 7 feet in diameter, and was cast in 1447 by Hans Gremp. It is still in place more than 300 feet up and almost 600 years later, inside the steeple of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. Completed in 1439, this cathedral remained the highest building in the Christian World for around 450 years. Today it is still the highest church built entirely in the Middle Ages. Taller ones were completed in the 19th century, partially using metal reinforcements. Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is made strictly of stacked-up red sandstone extracted from the Vosges mountain range nearby. The original architectural drawings for this marvel are still conserved in the Musee de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame, situated next door to the cathedral, within the institution created in 1221 to build and maintain this massive structure. This impressive medieval engineering feat is going to celebrate its 600-year anniversary in 15 years! www.CDEF-Tours.com #cathedrale #cathédrale #cathedral #cathedraledestrasbourg #gothicarchitecture #strasbourg #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip
Bach (!) by popular demand… now with the complete soundtrack of this famous piece written by Jean-Sebastien Bach “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desire”. The few “imprecisions” in this performance attests to its authenticity - this is not piped-in music (pun intended) from the internet but it is actually played on this 17th C. instrument... This particular organ is located in a small village, Marmoutier, in North Alsace. Built in 1710 by arguably the most famous organ manufacturer of the time Andreas Silbermann (1678-1734) in what was then an abbey in Alsace - when it was still part of Germany - it still possess all its original metal pipes and complex actuating mechanisms - all more than 300 years old and in perfect working order! From large to small, pipe organs are always impressive musical instruments. Out of the 8000 or so pipe organs in France, around 1250 of them are in Alsace! www.CDEF-tours.com #organs #orgue #music #organmusic #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #visitalsace #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip
Hear the REAL SOUND of this original 17th C. instrument... This particular organ is located in a small village, Marmoutier, in North Alsace. Built in 1710 by arguably the most famous organ manufacturer of the time Andreas Silbermann (1678-1734) in what was then an abbey in Alsace - when it was still part of Germany - it still possess all its original metal pipes and complex actuating mechanisms - all more than 300 years old and in perfect working order! From large to small, pipe organs are always impressive musical instruments. Out of the 8000 or so pipe organs in France, around 1250 of them are in Alsace! www.CDEF-tours.com #organs #orgue #music #organmusic #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #visitalsace #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip
Ahhhh… The soothing sounds of a French waterfall in autumn… join us on our tour of Alsace in October 2024 for a Cultured Discovery Experience of France! www.CDEF-tours.com #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip #alsace #alsacetourisme #nature #naturesbeauty #alsacefrance #alsacenature
Think of it as Chicken Pot Pie in the Alsatian style! A remarkably creative yet simple presentation for this traditional dish. Alsace is a region which has shifted between France and Germany more than once during its long history : therefore, Alsatian cuisine is neither quite French nor quite German – the dishes there are multicultural, rustic-inspired culinary masterpieces, all fit for a king. From traditional fare to gastronomic creations, this North-Eastern region of France offer an exceptional range of dishes. While pork, game and poultry are prepared using centuries-old recipes, this land-locked area also offers a wide range of freshwater fish: white or pink trout from the meandering rivers nearby; pikeperch and char are both fleshy and tasty white fish raised in the natural lakes along the Vosges mountain range which borders Alsace from North to South. And let’s not forget all the family-operated boulangeries and patisseries which grace every town and village of the region : the range of breads, pastries, cakes and other mouthwatering offerings, all made fresh every day on premises, is truly exceptional! And if you ever get tired of all this deliciousness, American food is available as well… www.CDEF-Tours.com #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefood #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip #francetourism
Tarte flambée is NOT Alsatian pizza! First, the dough does not contain yeast and therefore it does not rise or puffs when cooking.
Then, NO tomato sauce EVER!
The traditional toppings are cream, thinly sliced onions and lardons (smoked pork belly cut in small cubes). It only takes a few minutes to cook in a wood brining oven, which gives it its unique flavour.
The one in the video is a delicious dessert variation, topped with thinly sliced apples and flambee with Calvados - an apple brandy from Normandy, the far-away region on the exact opposite side of France. www.CDEF-Tours.com #alsace #tarteflambée #tarteflambee #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #visitalsace #alsacefood #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip #francetourism
In Alsace, family-operated boulangeries and patisseries grace every town and almost every village: the range of breads, pastries, cakes and other mouthwatering offerings, all made fresh every day on premises, is truly exceptional! www.CDEF-Tours.com #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #alsacefood #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip #francetourism
Alsace offers a rich kaleidoscope of impressions to its visitors - from intricate medieval architecture to interesting historical details to beautiful countryside landscapes interlaced with delicious food and the world’s best white wines. A Gewurtztraminer - the name of a local varietal producing a rich and fruity nectar - recently won the title “best wine in the world”! www.CDEF-Tours.com #gewurztraminer #bestwineintheworld #meilleurvindumonde #alsace #alsacetourisme #france #francetourisme
Cathédrale of Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is an outstanding masterpiece of gothic architecture. A skillful combination of monumental size and delicateness, its facade offers a fantastic wealth of ornamental features. The hundreds of sculptures which almost seem to leap out at you from the wall make great use of light and shadow effects. Everyday at noon, a powerful concert created by 24 harmonically tuned bells descends on the city from the 585 year-old spire. www.CDEF-Tours.com #strasbourg #strasbourgcathedral #cathedraledestrasbourg #gothicarchitecture #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #france #francetourisme
Discover the secrets of fabulous Armagnac: The differences between Cognac and Armagnac are much like those found between big-name wine regions and under-the-radar appellations that also produce competitive, high-quality bottles, but to less fanfare. While Cognac sets sales records year after year, Armagnac has re-emerged as a connoisseur’s drink. It is beloved by professionals and those in the know, but outsold by its more popular sibling.
The distillation process is what first sets both drinks apart. While Cognac is twice distilled in a pot still, Armagnac undergoes a single column distillation. A pot still allows for more control over the “heads, heart and tails,” or how distillers describe respectively the first, middle and final parts of the spirit to flow out of the still. Cognac contains a larger portion of heart, or the middle section of the distillation run, considered to be the purest in flavor. However, while there is a lot of potential for this heart-heavy spirit to develop, it also means Cognac can take more time to show its more exuberant side. Armagnac, meanwhile, it more likely to be fruity and intense in its younger year, while reaching a much higher complexity in flavors when aged.
The difference in mouthfeel also results from the concentration of alcohol: Armagnac comes off the still at around 52–60% alcohol and can be bottled at cask strength, unlike Cognac which is always reduced to 40%.
While Armagnac is more rustic, overall less “engineered” in production, it results in a full-flavored brandy that is a more forward, punchy and complex.
www.CDEF-Tours.com #armagnac #cognac #gers #france #francetourisme
Périgueux is the capital of the Périgord region and boasts a rich and diverse heritage spanning 2000 years. The city has ancient Roman roots that began at the time of the conquest and development of Gaul by the Roman Empire.
The town traverses the rich multi-layered tapestry of its historical influences, from medieval times of Catholic expansion, embodied by the cathedral of Saint-Front, and the later Renaissance elegance of the city’s architecture. www.CDEF-Tours.com #périgueux #perigord #périgord #france #francetourisme
The truffle market in Lalbenque opens at 3pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays, mid-December to mid-March, with a short whistle blow. It is reserved for professionals, with each truffle basket being sold as a single lot. The market only lasts about a minute, as most transactions were negotiated prior to the actual start of the event, directly between sellers and buyers. At the beginning of the video, one seller does not follow the rule and attempts to sell his truffles individually, by weight, using an electronic scale! This is why he still has all his truffles available. He was later scolded by the local people and he went away with most of his merchandise unsold! There is another separate market on the same day at 2:30pm in a nearby building, where sales of single truffles are allowed to private individuals - it was not clear why this gentleman did not join that first individual event - did he arrive too late??? All the truffles available for sale on the region’s markets are checked by local officials for quality and the baskets are weighted, the total quantity available for sale on that day is being for noted for public record and official statistics. This year’s truffle season ended with an unusual bounty of late, high-quality truffles. Average price was 900 euros a kilo, meaning a nice, medium size truffle of around 100 grams costs around $100. www.CDEF-Tours.com #truffles #blacktruffles #truffes #truffesduperigord #perigord #périgord #france #francetourisme
Le Périgord is a region in South-West France famous for its numerous castles, landscaped gardens, well-preserved prehistoric sites, and, of course, gastronomy - including foie gras and truffles. www.CDEF-tours.com #perigord #périgord #dordogne #france #francetourisme
Le Périgord is a region in South-West France famous for its numerous castles, landscaped gardens, well-preserved prehistoric sites, and, of course, gastronomy - including foie gras and truffles. www.CDEF-tours.com #perigord #périgord #dordogne #france #francetourisme
Walking down the 116 steps leading to the Pommery cellars … these ancient galleries present a permanent and extensive art collection by various artists from all over the world. A very unusual way to provide visual excitement along the visit of the underground former chalk quarries linked by more than 10 miles of tunnels, filled with slowly aging bottles of Champagne! www.CDEF-Tours.com #pommery #pommerychampagne #champagnepommery #champagne #france #francetourisme
Aerial view of the Cathédrale de Strasbourg in winter - perfect to get a sense of its sheer scale compared to the surrounding medieval city!
The Saint-Denis Basilica is a masterpiece of gothic architecture, like many cathedrals in France, but it also happens to serve as the final resting place for the kings of France.
From the high Middle Ages, the Saint-Denis monastery always managed to link its destiny to that of royalty, affirming itself as the privileged burial ground of the royal dynasties of France: 42 kings, 32 queens, 63 princes and princesses, 10 nobles of the kingdom are laid to rest here.
The Basilica history began with the story of Saint Denis himself, executed as a Christian martyr in 250 AD at the ‘the mountain of martyrs’, known today as Montmartre. Saint Denis is said to have picked up his own head and carried it several miles to the place where he wished to be buried, and so the church built there in his memory was named after him.
Completed in 1281, the construction of the Basilica lasted only 50 years, which provides an indication of the abbey’s immense wealth. Its architect, Pierre-de-Montreuil, was also involved in part with the construction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the contemporary but much more famous edifice in the center of Paris.
The sheer size of the Basilica is the result of the rapid advance in construction techniques at the time. In the 13th century, the quest for the greatest height possible combined with the will to create buildings that appeared to be empty to such a point that they became simply a setting bathed in light.
The very spacious interior of the Basilica gives a powerful impression of height. The builders made a special use of fasciculate pillars - composed of several small columns engaged with one another, each of them matches up with the ribs of the various arches of the vaulted roof. This style of architecture draws the eye of the visitor unconsciously upwards from the base of the pillar to the beginning of the ceiling vaults. As a result, the 28 meters internal height of the building appears to be much greater. www.CDEF-Tours.com #basilique
Completed in 1439 using local red sandstone, the cathedral in Strasbourg (Alsace, France) was the tallest building in the world until the second half of the 19th century, at 142 meter (466ft). The daily concert at noon unleashes the full power of 20 harmonically tuned bells. Listen to the music while admiring the intricately carved facade of this gigantic monument! And join us on our Alsace tour this October to witness it yourself! www.CDEF-Tours.com #alsace #alsacetourisme #alsacefrance #france #francetourisme
The Château de Cénevières towers over its village and the river Lot, which meanders far beneath. The castle once commanded a formerly important strategic position over the river, which was once a well-plied trade route. Built on a cliff and surrounded by stout walls, the castle is virtually impregnable and served as a refuge for the villagers in times of strife.
The earliest mention of Cénevières is found around 767, when it was besieged and taken by Pépin the Short, Charlemagne’s father. The oldest part of the château dates from the 13th century, but it was remodeled and enlarged during the Renaissance. During the Revolution, the castle was saved from torching but was pillaged by revolutionaries from Cajarc in 1792, the year before it was sold to the present owners’ ancestors. So the château has been in the same family since 1793. They acquired it from the Marquis de la Tour du Pin, Louis XVI’s war minister, who later ended up on the scaffold.
A covered walkway and balcony spans the whole width of the cour d’honneur, which doubles up as a large terrace overlooking the Lot river valley. The original builder didn’t use enough columns and more had to be added to prevent the structure collapsing, which explains the somewhat haphazard configuration of the mian façade.
Inside the building, the elegant and well-proportioned salon features ceiling beams that are beautifully painted, including a frieze of paintings of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul) dating back to 1617. #chateaudecenevieres #châteaudecénevières #aveyron #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip #francetourism #valleedulot
Villefranche de Rouergue was founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers, Count of Toulouse and brother of king Saint Louis. As a bastide, it was planned from scratched to gather people from the surrounding countryside and provide them with a new place to live and develop an economic activity beyond farming.
The town presents, on a large scale, the characteristic layout of new towns of the period, a regular grid of narrow streets with a square in the centre, lined with covered arcades.
It was only at the end of the 15th century, after more than 300 years of work, that the collegiate church was at last finished.
Its spectacular porch-bell tower straddles the public street at the entrance door, leading into its large nave, characteristic of the southern Gothic style. In the choir, the 15th C. carved stalls by André Sulpice illustrate the vision of the medieval world which mixes fantasy, earthiness and anecdotal scenes of everyday life! #villefranchederouergue #aveyron #france #francetourisme #francetravel #francetrip
