Morvan and le Tour de France
The skies were clearing as we left the Jura and headed west to the Morvan region of Burgundy. It’s a beautiful drive, leaving the dairy farming regions and making our way through charming little villages and passing gorgeous hillsides covered with vineyards. We had picked up a tarte de frommage at the local boulangerie in Oye et Pallet to have for lunch at our next stop, along with some dried meats. Our friends, the Gardynes, have bought a home in Chaumard, with the anticipation of retiring in a few years. It’s on a gorgeous lot in the country, with wonderful views, overlooking a lake. There is the main house plus two apartments, with private entrances, on the upper level and a former garage that Carol has converted to her art studio. Last September, I traveled to this area and stayed at a chateau where Carol conducts ten-day classes in the art of silk painting for three groups each fall. She’s now started advanced classes in the spring which are held here at her home. Carol is here this time on a vacation and plans to work in the garden and paint.
We arrive in the little village of Chaurmard about 12:30 and make our way to Carol’s home, to find a note saying they are having lunch in the village. Somehow we didn’t properly communicate about the tarte, but it allowed us to stay in for dinner and enjoy an additional bottle of wine. Her friends, Sally and Jim are also visiting from the U.S. (They recently became engaged and are planning a November wedding) so it was fun to meet and spend time with them. The afternoon was spent in the garden, followed by a walk to the village to pick up fresh bread and fruit. Our evening meal was spent laughing and chatting and sharing tales of travel and some great French wine.
Another walk into town the next morning, provided us with picnic food in preparation for watching the Tour de France as it passed by in the nearby village of Blisme. What a crowd there was lining the road leading to and through this little village. We met people from England, Belgium and the Netherlands who’d gathered to cheer on their team. The caravan arrived about 1:30, which consisted of specially-decorated sponsors cars and trucks, throwing candy and insignia souvenirs to the crowds. We had fun observing the local people, which Carol calls "payroll", (another story). After waiting another two hours, the racers zipped through, with four cyclists in the lead, and the rest of the pack following a few minutes later. I’m so glad we were here for this as we may never have another opportunity to see the Tour de France live. What fun! That afternoon Carol and I went to the next village to shop and see the Nicky de St. Phalle sculptures in the square. Dinner was at a local auberge overlooking the lake. What could be more perfect.
It was a short but wonderful visit and so good to see Carol. We left early the next morning to catch our flight out of Paris, back to Minneapolis.
The skies were clearing as we left the Jura and headed west to the Morvan region of Burgundy. It’s a beautiful drive, leaving the dairy farming regions and making our way through charming little villages and passing gorgeous hillsides covered with vineyards. We had picked up a tarte de frommage at the local boulangerie in Oye et Pallet to have for lunch at our next stop, along with some dried meats. Our friends, the Gardynes, have bought a home in Chaumard, with the anticipation of retiring in a few years. It’s on a gorgeous lot in the country, with wonderful views, overlooking a lake. There is the main house plus two apartments, with private entrances, on the upper level and a former garage that Carol has converted to her art studio. Last September, I traveled to this area and stayed at a chateau where Carol conducts ten-day classes in the art of silk painting for three groups each fall. She’s now started advanced classes in the spring which are held here at her home. Carol is here this time on a vacation and plans to work in the garden and paint.
We arrive in the little village of Chaurmard about 12:30 and make our way to Carol’s home, to find a note saying they are having lunch in the village. Somehow we didn’t properly communicate about the tarte, but it allowed us to stay in for dinner and enjoy an additional bottle of wine. Her friends, Sally and Jim are also visiting from the U.S. (They recently became engaged and are planning a November wedding) so it was fun to meet and spend time with them. The afternoon was spent in the garden, followed by a walk to the village to pick up fresh bread and fruit. Our evening meal was spent laughing and chatting and sharing tales of travel and some great French wine.
Another walk into town the next morning, provided us with picnic food in preparation for watching the Tour de France as it passed by in the nearby village of Blisme. What a crowd there was lining the road leading to and through this little village. We met people from England, Belgium and the Netherlands who’d gathered to cheer on their team. The caravan arrived about 1:30, which consisted of specially-decorated sponsors cars and trucks, throwing candy and insignia souvenirs to the crowds. We had fun observing the local people, which Carol calls "payroll", (another story). After waiting another two hours, the racers zipped through, with four cyclists in the lead, and the rest of the pack following a few minutes later. I’m so glad we were here for this as we may never have another opportunity to see the Tour de France live. What fun! That afternoon Carol and I went to the next village to shop and see the Nicky de St. Phalle sculptures in the square. Dinner was at a local auberge overlooking the lake. What could be more perfect.
It was a short but wonderful visit and so good to see Carol. We left early the next morning to catch our flight out of Paris, back to Minneapolis.
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