Diane and I roaming the French countryside, eating amazing food and drinking wine and champange!
We were on the lookout for the perfect town for her and David to retire to someday.
We practiced our horrible French and toured some cultural buildings for nearly two weeks.
We travelled 3565km of road in southern France and have oodles of memories to back it up!
We were on the lookout for the perfect town for her and David to retire to someday.
We practiced our horrible French and toured some cultural buildings for nearly two weeks.
We travelled 3565km of road in southern France and have oodles of memories to back it up!
Beaune, France
Always important: Where you stay for the night.
The young man at the desk was very kind and helped us make some reservations.
The room was lovely and it was cold enough at night to chill our wine and water in the window ledge.
Parking was right up front, so we didn't have to fight with the little lot in the back too!
The young man at the desk was very kind and helped us make some reservations.
The room was lovely and it was cold enough at night to chill our wine and water in the window ledge.
Parking was right up front, so we didn't have to fight with the little lot in the back too!
Now off to do an evening explore in town
Time for a snack!
So much more to see...
Self-guided tour of Cave Vin
This wine cave was fun.
You tour it peacefully on your own, pour your own sample portion at little stations
and read the signs on the different wine varieties.
Hotel-Dieu: Hospices de Beaune
A beautiful piece of architecture!
Established in 1443 as a "palace of the poor" by Nicolas Rolin.
Constructed with the finest materials ensuring it's extistence for centuries.
Continues to run on charity donations as a historical monument.
The tour is self-guided with a recorded program device
and numbered stations throughout the hospital.
It was quite informational!
Established in 1443 as a "palace of the poor" by Nicolas Rolin.
Constructed with the finest materials ensuring it's extistence for centuries.
Continues to run on charity donations as a historical monument.
The tour is self-guided with a recorded program device
and numbered stations throughout the hospital.
It was quite informational!
Dinner: Suggested by our hotel staff
SO GOOD!
I do NOT even know how we had room for a cheese plate
and coffee after all this deliciousness!
But we did.
Extremely Happy Ladies!
More Stops we made in Beaune Include:
Mustard Shop and Pub Hopping!
The Publican Bar
Sofas and casual atmosphere. Quite popular as evening approached.
Had a couple more ciders at the Pub Qg Lounge,
but did not document the event with photos.
Good stops on the tour back to the hotel today were necessary.
Lots of walking this day!
Moving on to our next stop
Marsac, France
Diane booked us a couple overnights at the
Ecurie du Domaine de Chantemerle
It was a horse farm run by the lovely, Davina.
She was super kind, shared info about buying houses in France and
gave us suggestions on where to eat.
The property was quaint and nicely renovated.
Poked our nose in the town nearby, Angouleme, before dinner.
L'Instant=Locovore (bio only foods)
Can you decipher what we chose to eat?
The next day, Diane booked a viewing of a house nearby.
Big property, small rooms and kitchen, but good to see what is available at the 140k range.
The house you want: La Maison Martell
An environmentally conscience house and 2.5km of surrounding
trails accentuating flora and fauna of the area.
We toured a ton of countryside today. Quite a bit of country land and rolling hills. Tomorrow we are off to the sea.
Ciboure, France
B & B Les Digues Vauban
Atop a steep hill with an odd 4 car parking lot, but what a view! The staff woman was splendid!
We unpacked then went for a walk into town. What a pretty day!
Dinner at St. Nicolas
The owner was awesome as was the food.
A few very rich samples, but we left happy and full
To The Market, To The Market
To Buy...
olives, flowers, scallops, wine, peas, desserts
A Beautiful Day in Biarritz, France
Fun, Sun and Ocean Breezes!
Back to the B & B to make dinner!
Diane was tired, but she shelled out some oysters and scallops like nobody's business tonight!
I definitely learn a new trick or two every time I help her in the kitchen.
I am very grateful for her teachings and ability to pair great food with great wine!
If anyone ever gets to France, you must try all the desserts that you can!
This IS their specialty!
I definitely learn a new trick or two every time I help her in the kitchen.
I am very grateful for her teachings and ability to pair great food with great wine!
If anyone ever gets to France, you must try all the desserts that you can!
This IS their specialty!
New Day=New Winery
Egiategia
Fermentation of wine in tanks 15 meters deep in the Atlantic Ocean
Learn more in the link below
Got some delicious wine right here in town, CHECK!
Since we are so close....Let's jump into Spain!
First stop: Irish Pub! Funny? Who cares, get me a beer!
In all truth, Spain along the Atlantic coast was a real bummer.
Each town had high rise apartment buildings along the rocky shores which was not very pretty.
Looked touristy and not very picturesque at all. So it felt like a wasted afternoon, but now we know!
Happy thought: Driving Back to France!
Each town had high rise apartment buildings along the rocky shores which was not very pretty.
Looked touristy and not very picturesque at all. So it felt like a wasted afternoon, but now we know!
Happy thought: Driving Back to France!
Another day on the horizon and we venture the lands of southern France for prospective towns for the Butcher's to retire in.
The following slideshow depicts the lay of the land as we head to Arcambal, France
Les 3 Cochons d'Oh B & B for a night.
We stayed in the garden terrace room in the back.
It was large and warm due to the pellet stove.
(Word of caution, you will hear the pellets drop all night long.)
We went to the city of Cahors for dinner at Au Bureau Pub.
The city was nice and settling in for the nightlife.
Breakfast was lovely in the main living room area of the house.
We talked with two older women best friends on holiday.
But Granny is Watching Over Us, So it is ok. Maybe
Dessert from a Patisserie we passed on the road.
Diane wins! Lemon Merengue
Judy loses. Rum soaked literally w/fruit cake
whatever....we have wine!
Heading to Vichy, France
Villa Camelia
The nicest couple ran this villa, Manuel & Xiaoting Rolley.
They lived in the upper floors and looked to be renovating another unit next door.
They gave us a map of Vichy and ideas on where to go walking.
They even saved us prime parking along the street right in front of the villa!
Plus, I happened to break a picture frame she had on the kitchen counter and didn't charge me.
She blamed herself for putting it there and brushed it off as 'what not to do in the future'.
(Sorry folks, you just can't have nice things with Judy around)
They lived in the upper floors and looked to be renovating another unit next door.
They gave us a map of Vichy and ideas on where to go walking.
They even saved us prime parking along the street right in front of the villa!
Plus, I happened to break a picture frame she had on the kitchen counter and didn't charge me.
She blamed herself for putting it there and brushed it off as 'what not to do in the future'.
(Sorry folks, you just can't have nice things with Judy around)
Hall des Sources
Brings together the 5 sources of drinking cures. Fizzy with a saline tang.
Supposed healing waters. Four springs of 9 total need a prescription to use.
Four are free to take/taste in a normal non-pandemic world.
That is not now, why have water free to the public???
Let's close it up. Yeah, that's the right move.
Thermes Les Domes
The large first-class bathing establishment with architecture
tinged with Orientalism, inaugurated in 1903.
We took the afternoon wandering through Vichy and shopping for dinner.
Leaving Vichy we wanted to hit some wineries heading home.
Some were closed, some were not manning their shops.
We did manage to find a couple open and
willing to offer us a tasting, finally!
On to the Next!
A lunch suggestion by the young men at the above winery.
Qui l'eut Cru
Walked around town and caught these sites.
Food in our bellies, spring in our step, get a movin'
We found Cave Nebout
The staff didn't speak a lick of english, so Diane charmed them with her french drink talk.
Yes, we bought wine here too! It's not about the talk, it's about the taste!
Welcome to the Champagne Region of France!
We arrive at the Villa de la Croix B & B
Anne-Lise and Philippe are wonderful hosts!
They are charming to speak with & excite your taste buds with their amazing cuisine!
The main house is beautifully decorated and welcoming to lounge or play a game of pool.
The room was large and the shower had aromatherapy pods!
Breakfast was amazing and they set us up for a tasting with the champagne vendor that afternoon. We delightfully drank this champagne at dinner last night.
We are in for a great day!
On our walk back to the car, we ran into a very nice couple walking their dog.
They were from Arizona, I believe, and talked up the town and their experience of moving to France.
Then a couple other ladies joined our conversation.
One was a former ballerina and LOVES the USA over Europe.
It was informative to know that this area was cheaper than the coast, obviously,
but hearing their take on their choice was helpful.
Perhaps small town in the hills is an option for Diane & Dave to retire to.
They were from Arizona, I believe, and talked up the town and their experience of moving to France.
Then a couple other ladies joined our conversation.
One was a former ballerina and LOVES the USA over Europe.
It was informative to know that this area was cheaper than the coast, obviously,
but hearing their take on their choice was helpful.
Perhaps small town in the hills is an option for Diane & Dave to retire to.
Mrs. Goussard had an amazing cellar with tasting counter.
She treated us like old friends stopping in for a visit!
Champagne makes us want to have celebrations everyday!
As it should be...
Enjoy the slideshow below
You guessed it, we loaded the car up with 'not enough' cases, but we do know how to get more!!!
It pays to wander & drive the back country roads of the world.
On this fortunate day we found this beauty
Yes, Diane IS a beauty!
She jumped out of her seat when she spotted
a bread vending machine!!!
Serious kid in a candy shop moment!
The bagette was fresh and delicious!
I can not get over her excitement here!!!
I have to share another smile!
For our last dinner out, we head into Troyes, France
Another suggestion from our host Anne-Lise
Caffe Cosi la Trattoria de Bruno Caironi
Not a crumb left! Added salted olives to our stash from their shop as well. A wonderful evening.