Construction de la Co-principauté d’Andorre (A) (T)

James F United Kingdom - 14-Jun-24

Visited June 2024.

Many other reviewers have inadvertently visited one of the proposed locations for this site in Andorra, although noone yet on the Casa de la Vall, which is what I will focus on here.

The proposed OUV of this site has to do with the establishment of a "peaceful state in the Pyrenees." The historical accidents that led to the statehood of the Co-Principality of Andorra are doubtless interesting, but don't seem to me to reflect any unique interchange of values or real that would constitute OUV... I still think a couple of these places are worth a visit if/when you're in Andorra... if only to keep your sanity in the discount mall/duty-free area/tacky firearm shop zone of the capital!!!

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

2.00 James F United Kingdom - 09-Jun-24

Visited March 2024.

I visited the Cité Frugès in Pessac while living in Bordeaux, which is what my review will focus on. I don't think it's worth coming here just for Le Corbusier, but it's worth the half-day detour for those travellers who're in Bordeaux as a base for other sites in the area.

As a new(-er) community member who's benefited immensely from previous reviewers, I'm continuing my mission to provide some 2024 updates to sites that others may not have visited in some time.

Vézère Valley

4.00 James F United Kingdom - 03-Jun-24

Visited March 2024.

Other reviewers were immensely helpful in planning my trip and I shan't repeat their excellent advice, but I felt a 2024 update may be in order as certain things -- most notably the fact that entirely online pre-booking is now available at all the sites! -- seem to have changed very recently.

That's right, no more queueing at 6am required, at least for the sites that were open when I visited in March (the last month of the 'off-season'). For the sites within Les Eyzies that don't have a welcome hut, you must go to the one at Font-de-Gaume to have your ticket checked, but this is the only necessary remnant of the old system from what I can tell.

Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

3.00 James F United Kingdom - 02-Jun-24

Visited June 2024.

As this is one of my first reviews, I will aim to limit myself just to the important information reviewers before me have not covered. The situation seems to have changed somewhat since the signage situation was most recently reviewed, which is principally what I will cover here.

As with all my trips, I challenged myself to do this without my own vehicle or any private vehicle.

I'm hardly a strong hiker and always conscious of doing stuff like this by myself. Like many other reviewers, I opted for the route to the Fontverd Plateau and found it -- if not nothing -- completely accessible and felt safe the whole time.

Saltaire

4.00 James F United Kingdom - 15-Jul-22

Visited Saltaire July 2022.

The visitor information centre closed a few years ago (something not yet updated on Google Maps), so I highly recommend visiting the History exhibition on the second floor of Salt's Mill as a first point of call. There is a very good hour long documentary about the town playing on loop that will give you some ideas where to visit in the town.

There are also walking tours done on an ad hoc basis. These are apparently really good, but you must email to register your interest before visiting.