Dreaming of France -- Apartments in France

Please join this weekly meme. Grab a copy of the photo above and link back to An Accidental Blog. Share with the rest of us your passion for France. Did you read a good book set in France? See a movie? Take a photo in France? Have an adventure? Eat a fabulous meal or even just a pastry? Or if you're in France now, go ahead and lord it over the rest of us. We can take it.
Does anyone else ever watch House Hunters International on HGTV? We love when they feature a house in France, even though my husband grows highly agitated when they complain about not having an elevator or inadequate bathrooms.  
Sunday night, I saw an edition of House Hunters International set in Nantes, France, which is where our friends live. I even saw a shot of their apartment building which is just across the street from the Chateau de Nantes (Chateau des ducs de Bretagne).

Our friends have lived in a few different apartments in Nantes, but the current one is on the top floor, which is the fourth floor. They walk up those many flights of stairs every day and have beautiful views.

Don't you just love the rooftops in France. I don't know what the deal is with all those upside down flowerpots, but they say France to me. 

Last time we were there, we stayed in the master bedroom and this is the view of the chateau out the window.

On the other side of the apartment, the view is of the Nantes cathedral. 

I think I'd be willing to walk up all those stairs everyday for views like this, but I'd probably be better at planning my outings to minimize the number of trips up and down the stairs. 

French and Strong Constitutions

Somewhere, in the many blogs I stop by, someone was planning to focus on France and all things French for July. I can't find it right now, but I'll link to it once I find it again. Okay, I found it and it's called Paris in July, as Esme from Chocolates & Croissants pointed out.  And Paris in July is sponsored the Thyme for Tea and Bookbath. Do you think that since it's Paris rather than France I'll have to narrow my focus? Nah, I'll just stick to France.
You know I'm in for focusing on France in July, or any other month, although I may get distracted by things like my kids or sports or teaching.
I thought I'd start with a photo I love from our friends' apartment in Nantes.

Our friends live on the top floor, which allows for gorgeous views of the cathedral on one side and the castle on the other. And guess what? Their building does not have an elevator. They walk this circular flight to the top floor (5 floors, I think) everyday, several times a day. They don't complain. It is probably what keeps them so healthy.

When Earl and I watch House Hunters International, we always scoff at the American couples who refuse to buy a place without an elevator.

I don't want you to feel like you walked up this winding staircase for no reason, so here's a shot of the sunset out one of the windows.

 Happy France month.

P.S. I have electricity back, but still no Internet service.