Hi all, uhoh, is it possible to see your Lyon report and pictures w/o registering my e-address at virtual tourist? If not, perhaps you'll mention the name of Mme. Gayte's establishment here? Thanks, J.

JMW, I think she did mention the name at one point, but here's the website of the bed and breakfast if you want to see it in more detail: http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/bb/saint-thomas/gb/

We've never regretted eating at a restaurant listed in Michelin. Even the ones without stars are head and shoulders above comparably priced restaurants in North America. If you go to their English website, Viamichelin.com, you can get a listing of all their recommended restaurants in Lyon (actually there are too many to get without narrowing their search). The website gives a brief description of the place (more the ambiance than the food) and the cost of a set menu (M), and I believe that there are dire consequences if they deviate from the listed price. So you'll know beforehand what places fit in your budget, and you can make a list of the ones you want to check out.

Restaurants listed in Michelin are not permitted to advertise the fact, but Gault-Millau and Routard do allow restaurants to post signs showing that they were recommended in a particular guide, and those can be a good indicator as well.

Cluny...that is great advice..we signed usp for the Michelin website, but I haven't explored that part of it. thanks.

BTW, have you visited the town of Cluny? If so, what did you think about it?

Thanks, wren.

wren, the webpage for the Presb. St. Thomas is beautiful! I see that the rates are listed as 68e per room, but that almost sounds too reasonable! Can it be? (Of course, I have not looked at the exchange rate lately.) J.

I agree with you...it looks awesome, and the proprietress is very nice in her e-mails. We are staying there in early July...when are you going? I will post a report to let you know what I think. Did you check out uhoh's page on the virtual tourist? I didn't have to log-in to just look. she gives it great reviews...check out her pictures!

Hi, wren. When I tried to look at her Lyon pictures, all I could reach was two photographs and a bit of commentary. I could not get to more than one page. I thought there should be a button to click on for more, but it didn't show up on my screen. I might try again. Are you all packed? J.

There are pictures under various types of tips, and I think there's a travelogue, too. It takes a while to get used to negotiating VTs sites, but is well worth it once you do. Wren, I hope enjoy Marie Chantel's B&B as much as we did. Which room do you have? We were in the big one downstairs. It was so quiet (and with those shutters closed and drapes drawn so DARK) that one morning we slept until 10AM. (We're 50+ and we tend to wake up early)

I just noticed -- there are little graphic "file tabs" across the top on VT -- one is for the intro page, the next for "travel tips" and the next for "travelogues". I may have to put up more photos from Lyon...we took quite a few.

JMW, I have a place in my closet that has everything I "might" take. This weekend, it comes out, and I will play around with it...and hopefully pare it down somewhat.

UhOh, You all are about our age. I scanned your whole trip...and I am going to write down all the names of the places you mentioned. I thought VT was actually ok once I got the hang of it. Any other suggestions in Paris, Lyon, or Provence would be great.

JMW--when are you going?

BTW, uhoh, the name of our room is "Rambouillet". I am not sure if it is your room or not, do you know?

Yep, that's it! There is only an armoire to hang your clothes in, but she has TONS of hangers. There is also a lovely large dresser. No hairdryer, but we had brought one along with one of those plugs that you can use for devices that are dual voltage. The location couldn't be better for day trips in all directions. And that gorgeous D99 -- driving that road is one of those "we're not in Kansas anymore" type experiences.

Awesome!!! I am even more excited after seeing your pictures...we weren't even going to go to Provence, and things worked out so we could stay a few extra days and go. Then I just happened to see a post of yours from awhile back where you really liked this b & b in the area, so I emailed her, she had a room. The rest is history. So you can give yourself an official pat on the back...you are the reason this is happening. BTW we will be there for our 26th anniversary. How cool is that?!

Oh Wren, only in my dreams just now. So if you stumble upon a net cafe, e- a post to your Foodies thread to let us know how it's going. If not, I'll look forward to your report when you return. I am so happy for you, I could burst. Bon Voyage! J.

p.s. to uhoh: I think I'm finally getting the hang of the virtual tourist site. The series of Provence wanderings is inspiring. No wonder wren is excited!

A couple of questions? --- The stone stairway which begins one of the sets, is that in Joucas? And . . . your hwy 99 -- does it contain any hairraising inclines, declines, or curves? It sounds marvelous, but I'm a flatlander and a bit of a coward. Thanks, and by the way, irises are my favorite flower, so those photographs blow me away. J.