We have been keeping pretty busy this summer between family visits and vacations, but there has also been a lot going on here in Clermont. One of the interesting/funny things was at the large park in the city, where we heard some techno music playing while on our way to the playground.  We then realized there was a DJ booth set up in the middle of the pond, and then thought maybe someone got married or there was some event being held in the park, but it was just for entertainment for whoever came into the park.  We thought it was so funny we were watching Makenna play in the playground while there was club music blaring.

Since Clermont is in the center of France and not close to any beaches, the beach was brought to the city for what they call the “Sand Show”.  For almost 2 months (and for FREE), they turned a large area into a place for sand, pools, beach chairs, fountains, trampolines and jungle gyms, a food truck and more.

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In the main square, Place de Jaude, they planted some beautiful areas of landscape art.  There is also some beautiful landscape art in the park where they are constantly changing, creating and maintaining flower beds and landscaping.

For Bastille Day, we went to Lac d’Aydat which is about 20 minutes away and has a small beach area.  There were pedal boat and paddle board rentals, barbecue areas and a playground.  It was nice to cool off after the hot weather we’ve been having (many days of 90 to 100 degrees!) and Makenna loved the water.

We also spent a weekend in Geneva, Switzerland visiting my best friend from college.  We walked around Old Geneva, the lake and what I call the “big squirt”.  On Sunday morning, we drove across the border to a town in France called Divonne-les-Bains where they have a great market.  There was a ton of local produce, cheese, sausage, baked goods etc.

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Makenna and I have enjoyed spending a lot of time at the park and the public pool.  One of the public pools has a splash park outside with all sorts of fountains and sprinklers for kids to play in (which I prefer over the pool sometimes since it’s not required to wear swim caps there).  Both public pools have a grassy area for relaxing and the other pool has a retractable roof so the pool is somewhat “outdoors” when the weather is nice.

I love living in a small city!  It’s so nice there are so many activities available to enjoy the summer, especially when everyone has 3 weeks of vacation in August!  Now if only the US would adopt this idea…