French Villages Photo Gallery @ National Geographic Traveler

in September 2005

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French Villages Photo Gallery
Photograph by Catherine Karnow Text by Julie Dugdale

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A balloon is readied for launch at the annual hot air balloon festival in Rocamadour, France. The festival, set against the backdrop of the medieval cliffside village, takes place the last Saturday of September. Dozens of colorful balloons from various countries rise above the village landscape and its seven church steeples. "After I shot the picture, I jumped in a balloon and up I went," says photographer Catherine Karnow. "I'd never done that before. It was amazing and beautiful."

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