The trip from Germany was complicated. There are only a limited amount of seats available to Eurail pass holders, and that meant we would have to travel from Ulm to Koln, Germany on one train, then quickly switch to the Thalys high-speed train from Koln to Paris.

That train travelled through Germany and Belgium before it got to France. It was very comfortable, but long..

We got into Paris Gare de Nord at 4:30 pm on Saturday, and were overwhelmed by the hubbub and pandemonium of the big city! Taking a taxi to our rented apartment in Neuilly-sur-seine was like an amusement park ride!

We slept overnight and then left immediately for Brive, which is the main city in the Dordogne et Perigord region. That's where the village of Turenne is located - our primary destination.

Here's my very first shot of Brive. It was warm, sunny, and glowing with afternoon light...