Holland, Leiden - May 2006

Leiden is a university city. The favorite means of transportation is the bike. To light up the grey dark days of Winter a bit here is a picture of some colorful balloons. To bring some Spring into this Winter.

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France, Paris - February 1989

On the square Igor Stravinksy (near the Centre Pompidou) in Paris stands this Stravinsky fountain. In it are objects made by Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle.

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Holland, Noordwijk - December 2011

Noordwijk, sunset of a cold but lovely Boxing Day.

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France, Vercors - August 1998

The Vercors is a national park on the West side of the Alps. In 1944 the Vercors was a center of the French resistance Maquis. On June 5 1944 General De Gaulle called upon the French to rise up against the Germans. The Maquis in the Vercors responded. On the 3rd of July the Free Republic of the Vercors was proclaimed. In the counterattack of the Germans more than 800 people (600 of them Maquisards) were killed. On the Col de la Chau is the Memorial de la resistance en Vercors. This modern building is located on top of a mountain, overlooking the plain. I visited the museum in 1998 and was truly impressed. Especially in one part of the museum, a corridor with earphones. Each of them containing a sound clip with a personal story of civilians and fighters surviving the attack in 1944. Telling about what happened in their own voice. The picture above is taken on the terrace of the museum. Below is a stitched panorama shot from there as well.

France, Vercors - August 1998

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France, Nimes - July 1998

Musée Carré d’Art in Nimes offers contemporary art as well as sa media library.

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France, Nimes - July 1998

Musée Carré d’Art in Nimes is quite unique. Not because of the art on display (contemporary art from 1960 – present) or its media library. Mainly because it is situated in the old town center of Nimes. In between old buildings, overlooking a square with a Roman temple (Maison Carrée), this modern, cubical and transparent building stands out. It is a design by Norman Foster. Because of the use of glass it is quite open, inside out and outside in. Inside the museum the glass is also used in staircases. Here is the central hall. Not a stairway to heaven but a staircase to art.

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France, Luc-en-Diois - August 1995

The region of the Drome is a beautiful part of France. It is a nice area for cycling with some good climbs. I used to visit a small family hotel in Luc-en-Diois. The hotel had a beautiful garden with a swimming pool. After a training session in the morning it was great to relax at the pool in the sun. And enjoy a nice meal at dinner! This is a shot of the roofs of Luc-en-Diois.

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France, Paris - February 1989

Rue de Rivoli is one of the well-known streets of Paris. And among the ones I like best. The gallery with pillars is beautiful, specially when the light in the early morning is soft.

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Holland, Oegstgeest – March 2009

Three big American bulldogs fighting over a piece of wood in a pond, while a fourth dog is watching. They are not my favourite kind of dogs. Honestly, they scare me because of their awesome and – to me –  unpredictable power. On the other hand the sight of them wrestling each other was a beautiful display of strenght and agility.

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