France

This hall is home to the Les Machines de l’île in Nantes. There is an exhibition area with screenings and a balcony with a 360 ° view. From an observation deck, one can observe the emergence of new machines, which are handmade with plans, wood and metal constructions and electric motors.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/8
• Shutter speed: 1/160s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 320

It paid off that we took the extra mile to Pont du Gard in Southern France. This aqueduct was one of the highlights of the trip to France. It so happened that I was standing in front of it for the Golden Hour. The sunlight reflected in the arches with a golden glow. I wondered if the architects had planned it that way?

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/80s
• Focal length: 58mm
• ISO: 100

In the city bypass in Avignon, you drive next to the historic city wall and discover some unique buildings of yesteryear. These scenes always remind me of French crime novels that I liked to see in my youth.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/1000s
• Focal length: 18mm
• ISO: 250

The public rental bikes in Nantes have a basket in front of the handlebar, perfect for putting in the photo bag. By bike, we drove around in the old town and stopped in front of the interesting sights to take pictures. And the price of a bicycle for 24 hours was only € 1. The easier way for a photo tour compared to the miles of marches on foot.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/22
• Shutter speed: 1/8s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 500

The first time I was in Avignon, I was 19 years old. I made a road trip with friends from Vienna to Spain, at Avignon we made a stopover. This city has fascinated me to this day, so I visited Avignon last year with my wife, Karin. From a round-trip bus, I was able to shoot several photos of the city wall and the main entrance.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/1000s
• Focal length: 18mm
• ISO: 100

The architecture reminds me of a Napoleonic-era country castle, instead of a shopping mall. The name is Le Passage Pommeraye. I had enough time to shoot photos; my wife was traveling in the small streets of the city. I positioned myself at the entrance, at the staircase, and was able to photograph the magnificent round arches on the first floor.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 22.6mm
• ISO: 100

I have seen the EWheel in Nantes, and other French cities seem to be trendy. I think I never will try it, although it looks easy the maneuver and to drive for those who are trained. In Vienna, I take the rental E-Scooters from Lime or Bird. The scooters feel very safe, they have to wheels and a platform for standing, though they can get a speed of 25 km/h. One-wheel is too suspect for me, nothing to hold on, no brake, all depends on balance.

Post processed with: Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 32.099998474mm
• ISO: 800

My wife Karin and I were driving from Cognac to Bordeaux. I suggested to my wife that she would take half an hour to get to the Atlantic coast. We did not expect that we will see such a wide sandy beach with the blue sea of the Atlantic. So I could add some beach photos to my collection.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/6.4
• Shutter speed: 1/125s
• Focal length: 46mm
• ISO: 100

I always admire the kids in the skate parks. They are so flexible and fast when doing their acrobatic figures. It’s a sub-culture with unique clothing and music, designed to bring new athletic levels and hype to spectators and the social media channels. When I am on the cross-trainer in the fitness center, on the TV-screens, they often show skating or mountain-bike competitions. As I drove on an E-Bike in Bordeaux, I stopped immediately and shot some photos of the young guys.

Post processed with: Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/6.3
• Shutter speed: 1/1250s
• Focal length: 63mm
• ISO: 640

As I saw these mushrooms, I would have changed my bed-and-breakfast accommodation against an apartment with a kitchen immediately. I was dreaming about frying the yellow boletuses in olive oil and adding garlic. My wife Karin was thinking the same. But it stayed with taking a photo and then exploring the old town of Aix-en-Provence with a tuk-tuk train.