Stella Portage

Pont du Gard in Nimes is a Roman aqueduct, still open for tours (see  https://www.pontdugard.fr/en ) Luce would by 36 years old in 1932. Is Aunt Mit Marie Anne Marguerite "Mitty" Van de Vyvere  the daughter of Aloys Jean Marie Joseph Van de Vyvere (1871 - 1961) and Henriette Jeanne Franoise Fanny "Nadia" Mertin (1910 - 1995)? If so, what is the relationship between Luce's father Joseph Van de Vyver and Aloys Van de Vyvere? Is this the same Aloys Van de Vyvere who was the President of Belgium in 1925?

This card was sent from Marie Henriette (1902 - 1930) in France, to her sister Luce in Tielt, Belguim. Marie asks about their mother.

Puy de Dôme is a lava dome in central France (just west of Lyon). In 2018, it was established as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This image is from a hill in what is now Royat. Information about the village of Royat is at:  https://www.royat.fr/ The large building at the left of this postcard is now the  Saint Leger's Church of Royat . It is shown in the image below, that was taken on March 16, 2020 from Google Maps:  https://www.google.com/maps/@45.7646464,3.0493268,3a,75y,89.89h,96.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZbmyAITkY5HBquyQj-coXg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 This postcard is very difficult to read.  *Thank you to KR for making this part out: "... Long live God! Good-bye". The initials look like "FK". Is it possible that this is a card from Reverend Father Kockerols?

The website for the Cathedral is here:  https://www.catedraldemallorca.org/ca/ . Below, an image taken from Google Maps on March 15, 2020, shows a the Palma de Mallorca from a different angle ( https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5671359,2.6471573,3a,75y,60.78h,108.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_4NejX-GCVLd_4SONQuxxA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 ). Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the cathedral:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma_Cathedral . With the water damaged postcard, it is difficult to determine when Robert sent this card to his brother Jean and sister-in-law Jeanne at 74 Rue Rotterdam in Antwerp.

The neoclassical architecture of L'Hôtel Ruhl was a landmark at no. 1 Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. It was demolished in 1970. The site is now occupied by a casino, Hôtel Mercure Nice Promenade des Anglais, and many other businesses. A YouTube video documenting the hotel, called "Nice D'Antan - L'Hôtel Ruhl avant sa démolition" is posted to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJvY8cYcAVo . (It is narrated in French.) Wikipedia also has information about L'Hôtel Ruhl: ( https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_Ruhl ). For today's version of 1 Promenade des Anglais in Nice, see the image below, taken on March 15, 2020 from Google Maps ( https://www.google.com/maps/@43.694924,7.2657491,3a,75y,296.04h,99.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMWTvoTq3PSfYIjbczSDRiw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 ) This postcard has an "Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur" postmark and is from someone with the family name "Van Campenhout". What is the relationshi

Julia sends a postcard from Lille, France, to Jean in Gand, care of his mother(?)-in-law at Place du Marais in Gand. Lille, in northern France and Gand are now just under a 80 km drive. Jean worked for the Belgian government as a manager. Was he in Gand for business or pleasure? This image of this postcard is of the "The Grand Place" (The Main Square) at Place Charles de Gaulle. (See https://en.lilletourism.com/la-grand-place.html  for more information.). What were  coffee shops are still coffee shops, cosmetic giants, book stores, and fast food outlets. Still.... a meeting place. The image above is taken from Google Maps on March 14, 2020:  https://www.google.com/maps/@50.6367972,3.0635688,3a,75y,241.91h,96.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAF1QipMvmQYrdAyY-cu5mDm4Tkqze_Q1HWTdm2itPQC3!2e10!7i10772!8i5386

This postcard was mailed from Interlaken in 1934. Hotel Bellevue des Alpes  remains a family business and remains in operation. You can read more about it and it's history here:  https://www.scheidegg-hotels.ch/ . The information below is an excerpt from the website: "Hotel Bellevue des Alpes is one of the few remaining grand hotels of the 19th century.  At the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Kleine Scheidegg lies at 2070m in the midst of alpine beauty above Grindelwald and Wengen.  As the center of the skiing and hiking region, this place is also the direct starting point for the Jungfraujoch." Gaston and Julia mailed this postcard from Interlaken, Swizerland (which is a hike/train ride and 28 km of very winding road from the hotel). I wonder if Gaston and Julia were skiers or enjoyed hiking. Regardless, what a journey!

Gaston and Julia send a message to Jean and Jeanne at rue de Rotterdam, Anvers, Belgium in 1934.

"Dear Jeanine, We are all well on board, the first class food is great. Our boat departs Thursday at 1:00pm, Thank you for everything you've done for me. Take care and hope for God's providence. I embrace you from the bottom of my heart"  *Thanks to @zenabonita7 for the translation.

* Thanks to Chloé for the following information and translation: " mailed in Paris and its date is September 8, 1930. The sender’s first name starts with an A. The addressee is Mr. Van de Vyvere. Unfortunately, the penmanship is difficult to read." "The trip is going ahead. Tomorrow, I’m going to Meaux. Mr. Strielervan will go on with his trip. Good friendship, A." "Belgique simply means Belgium." " Paris… en flanant means: Paris as you stroll around."

* Thanks to Chloé for this translation: "Front:  Place Gambetta  is the Gambetta Square located in the city of Le Havre, Brittany France.  Monument commémoratif de la Grande Guerre et Bassin du Commerce : Commemorative monument of the First World War and Commercial dock."

Information, thanks to Chloé: "The postcard is addressed to M. Van de Vijvere, likely on September 5, 1928. It shows a leather factory located in the Dutch city of Rijen located in the province of Noord-Braband."

* Thank you, Chloé for this information: "It was sent on June 7, 1930. Again, it was probably Robert who sent a postcard to his parents. It shows the house in which Bernadette Soubirous grew up. Born in 1844, she became famous at the age of 14 because she claimed having seen Virgin Mary eighteen times."

* Thank you, Chloé for this translation: "A big kiss from Montmartre." Chloé thinks this card is from Robert. 

* Thank you, Chloé, for this translation: “Let us not forget the family V.D.V”.

* Thanks to Chloé for this translation: “best regards” before signing. He may have addressed this postcard to his sister. The date is September 7, 1930. The postcard shows Saint Louis Square in Metz, France.

* Thanks to Chloé for this translation of Robert's message, as well as the writing on the postcard: "Dear brother and sister, I arrived yesterday, Sunday January 28. I am staying on the inner side of the left wing, located on the highest floor of the monastery that you see on the reverse side [of the postcard]. Did you receive my postcard of Palma (Balearic Islands)? Thank you for all the good care. See you later Robert January 29, 1934" Translation of the French words on the postcard: White Fathers' mother house, located in the commune of Maison Carrée (Algeria).

Robert sends a postcard from Lisbon, written in Dutch. * Thank you,  Chloé, for this translation: "Dear Nine, We are now in Portugal’s capital city. The weather is very nice since this morning. The sea is always dancing. This afternoon, we will leave for Morocco. October 9, 1934 Goodbye Mom and Dad! Uncle Robert"

Robert, to the Van de Vyvere at 74 Rotterdam. * Thank you, Sofie, for this translation:  "Since this morning, I am in La Palma. All the best. October 13, 1934. Warmest regards, Robert"

From Robert in Marseilles, France to his brother, sister, and Jeannine. * Thanks to  Chloé  for this translation:  "I arrived in Marseille this morning and will leave tomorrow (Friday) evening via the Balearic Islands! There were sub-zero temperatures up to roughly the city of Avignon. However, starting there the sun shone beautifully. I would like to thank you for all your care and services. I hug you wholeheartedly. Robert"

In 2020, Echternach is in eastern Luxembourg, very near to the border with Germany. This is the view toward Ernzen, a town in Germany.

In 2020, "Central Hotel Paris" exists  https://www.central-hotel-paris.com/en/ , but at 1 Rue du Maine, not on rue du Louvre.  Currently at 40 rue du Louvre is flexible office and working space:  https://www.spacesworks.com/paris/  . A quick search of "40 rue du Louvre" indicates that this building no longer exists... or exists in a very much renovated form:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/40+Rue+du+Louvre/@48.862517,2.3416959,273m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x47e66e23b5b82dad:0x950cdf482152cb94!4b1!8m2!3d48.8626868!4d2.3419284 I wonder if this site was heavily bombed during World War II.