Return from the north: France

The trip is made by 4 people in a camper van. At the end the complete itinerary of the journey to the Lofoten has been included, of which this is a small part.

Friday 11.08.95 Departure from the campsite at 9 from Trier (Trier, in Germany). We cross the border with France around 10.15 where we change marks into francs with a 2 DM charge. We visit Strasbourg. Parking along the river Ill. Visit to the historic part of the city. The cathedral and clock, a walk along the river up to the covered bridges. Afterwards we climb to Mont-Ste-Odile, the road to reach the mount is beautiful, parking and a short walk among woods where you can admire particular rock formations. Beautiful view from the terraces of the convent, over the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest. Visit to the little village of Riquewihr. Very typical, where we make a few purchases. We have dinner outside the walls, the campsite is full, and they advise us to park outside the walls in the tourist bus car park. We are next to two French campers.

We witness an argument between Swiss and Belgians, then some Russian entertainers arrive by coach with instruments and theatrical costumes who rehearse a little in the square, they see themselves being filmed (of course we had all come out of the campers with our cameras) and start chatting. They end up drinking a little grappa in the Belgians' campers. Then, in the night, a furious argument between a couple between 2 and 4 in the morning in the middle of the square, waking everyone up. 316 Km.

Saturday 12.08.95 After a theatrical night, at 8.30 departure from the square, still a little sleepy. We cross the border between France and Switzerland and stop in Lucerne for lunch. In the afternoon we are at the Furkapass at 2400m where we do some walking excursions. A small note: the width of the road allows campers to pass with only 2 cm to spare! This now means a journey on the edge of the rocks on the sides and the sheer drops in case of meeting other "bulky" vehicles. For people who suffer from vertigo, like the writer, the journey is beautiful but decidedly stressful.

FS 275 Km ITINERARY COVERED Läckö (S) castle Kinne Kulle (S) view over lake Vänern and lava rocks Varnhem (S) church and convent remains Falun (S) copper mine Rättvik (S) church 'The kneeling bride' Mora (S) the red horse Jokkmokk (S) blue church and Arctic Circle Lofoten (N) home of a Viking chief and ship Svolvær (N) cruise to the Trollfjord Lom (N) shopping, stave church, obelisk of Sagasoyla, Krossbu pass (N) Jotunheimen glacier Mo i Rana (N) Arctic Circle Borgund (N) stave church Edam (NL) market Marken (NL) the peculiar village Maastricht (NL) quick tour of the centre Aachen (D) town hall and cathedral Trier (D) city, cathedral and Porta Nigra Strasbourg (F) cathedral and clock Mont S.te Odile (F) convent, view of the Black Forest and the Vosges Riquewihr (F) medieval town Furka pass (CH) Rhône glacier Simplon pass (CH) view