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Thursday April 31. Besançon and Dijon.

A few more photos from Besançon. I wandered through the streets thinking of 1975 when three of us, friends from Queen’s University, went to Europe for a year’s study abroad, myself to Poitiers and my other two friends to Brussels and Besançon.  I remember my first impressions of Poitiers and I could feel them coming back as I thought of my friend arriving in Besançon.  Dark streets, an unfamiliar bureaucratic welcome by my university, uncomfortable student lodgings, strange smells, a huge crowded cafeteria … I’ve never forgotten those first impressions and they have long somewhat tainted my relationship with France.

Anyway, here are a few more Besançon scenes. The Doubs, a splendid marble floor in the cathedral, Vauban’s fort seen from downtown, apéritif hour (a distinguishing feature of France is the loud hum of conversation at this time - everybody talking non-stop) and lovely wildflowers.  Along city streets signs announce that grass cutting is delayed, or not happening at all, to give insects and wildlife the chance to live within the city. This was a particularly lovely display.







I then took an afternoon train to Dijon. More on that in the next blog.

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  1. RitaMay 4, 2026 at 10:58 AM

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  2. RitaMay 4, 2026 at 11:04 AM

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  3. RitaMay 4, 2026 at 11:05 AM

    at 11:04 AM
    Quite an introspective blog today, Celia. My first impressions of Brussels were not quite as gloomy as yours of Poitiers, but I do remember feeling desperately homesick for the first few days, since almost everything was new and unsettling. Fortunately, I was there with two fellow students and a professor from Queens, which helped get over the strangeness of it all. And, of course, I'm so glad I stayed!

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