Let’s Go To France
Sep 12th, 2021, 06:54 PM
#44
Sep 13th, 2021, 02:54 PM
#46
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Sep 14th, 2021, 11:17 AM
#47
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Woke up an went to the local boulangerie for an eclair, pan au chocolate and a couple cappuccinos. My dh turned on some French jazz music (We brought our small JBL speaker). We enjoyed splitting the eclair with our cappuccino. A great way to start the day.
We went out to the park and then took a walk through the vineyards and then back through the town. Afterwards we took the little tourist train on wheels. It wove in and out of areas. We saw a few things that we had missed in our wandering and caught glimpses of beautiful gardens along the way.
Lunch was champagne, a bourgogne wine then a passion fruit sorbet.
We did see this statue (I thought of another Fodorite-Percy)
Gaspard Monge, Comte de Péluse was a French mathematician, commonly presented as the inventor of descriptive geometry, technical drawing, and the father of differential geometry.
Dinner was at the apartment. We finished off the great goat cheese, chicken and green beans.
Beaune has a nightly light show at different spots downtown. You see this tall metal cylinders around town. The show starts at dusk which turned out to be 9 pm. We were at the bell tower and then went around the corner to see it at the cathedral. Wow was it impressive. We were two of 5 people watching. The town certainly clears out on a Sunday evening.
Monday-
My dh likes to sleep and being wide awake I am ready for a walk to the patisserie at 7am. The owner knows me know and I enjoy talking to her. A croissant de cassis, croissant and 2 cafe au lait ordered and carried back for breakfast.
I decided to try the cafe au lait and compare to the cappuccino. It is good to know that they are different all over and how countries make them/charge. The price for the drinks was the same price at 1,80. I have only really been going to this patisserie so I can’t say how it is charged in other places.
After breakfast we walked over to a bike rental company. We had reserved bikes (electric) the day before. My dh found an app called Komoot and we decided on a route for our day. We did the Voie die Vignes à vèlo- Canal à Chagny Loop from Beaune. The girl who helped us with the bikes told us about her grandfather who live in Sacramento. It truly is a small world.
After 12 or so miles we stopped in Santenay. We got a chicken sandwich on a baguette and a herby ham cheese bread concoction that was utterly delicious. There was mustard on the sandwich that just made it devine.
We rode and rode and rode and rode. The scenery was just spectacular and the weather perfect. After 6…yes I said six hours later we returned the bikes. About 40 miles of riding with two very sore derrières. Would I do this again? Yes! But hopefully without the sore parts.
I really don’t know how we walked another mile back to the apartment but we did. A couple hours of rest and a hot shower later we walked to a wine bar for dinner.
Monday night does not offer a lot of choices for dinner because so many places are closed. We did show our pass sanitair and sat down for a great meal. A buffalo mozzarella salad with hierloom tomatoes and small basil leaves started our meal. A sparkling cidré from Normandy and Bourgogne wine to enjoy along with it. There was a young woman taking selfie’s and videos of herself who commented on the salad. I offered her some and ended up having a nice chat with her. A solo traveler from Vancouver, Canada she told us about her adventures in Paris and Beaune.
After she left our 2nd course came we ate our crispy chicken pieces with our green salad. Tired and stuffed we walked home.
There is something about the night skies France. The sky was this beautiful inky blue color. It would be great to sit outside and just gaze.
Today:
Another early walk through the old town gives me a good sense of the town waking up without a bunch of tourists. The elementary school children are quickly walking with parents some of whom could use a cup of coffee. I pass by a father talking to his 3 year old precious daughter. Her hands were on her hips telling him something very earnestly.
I walk past the Cooks Attelier store and pause to gaze through the windows. I will come back later. One of the owners is outside with her dog but I do not want to bother her. Their story is great and I have their cook book at home.
https://www.thecooksatelier.com/
I did get back to the store later and enjoyed looking at all of the cooking/gardening products. The owners are completely kind and gracious. Their dog was very well behaved and after a few pats brought me his moose toy.
Some more meandering and another passion fruit sorbet led us to a adorable children’s clothing store. I did manage to buy my littlest grand a beautiful dress.
Oh and a passion fruit mousse for dessert
We leave for Lake Annecy tomorrow.
We went out to the park and then took a walk through the vineyards and then back through the town. Afterwards we took the little tourist train on wheels. It wove in and out of areas. We saw a few things that we had missed in our wandering and caught glimpses of beautiful gardens along the way.
Lunch was champagne, a bourgogne wine then a passion fruit sorbet.
We did see this statue (I thought of another Fodorite-Percy)
Gaspard Monge, Comte de Péluse was a French mathematician, commonly presented as the inventor of descriptive geometry, technical drawing, and the father of differential geometry.
Dinner was at the apartment. We finished off the great goat cheese, chicken and green beans.
Beaune has a nightly light show at different spots downtown. You see this tall metal cylinders around town. The show starts at dusk which turned out to be 9 pm. We were at the bell tower and then went around the corner to see it at the cathedral. Wow was it impressive. We were two of 5 people watching. The town certainly clears out on a Sunday evening.
Monday-
My dh likes to sleep and being wide awake I am ready for a walk to the patisserie at 7am. The owner knows me know and I enjoy talking to her. A croissant de cassis, croissant and 2 cafe au lait ordered and carried back for breakfast.
I decided to try the cafe au lait and compare to the cappuccino. It is good to know that they are different all over and how countries make them/charge. The price for the drinks was the same price at 1,80. I have only really been going to this patisserie so I can’t say how it is charged in other places.
After breakfast we walked over to a bike rental company. We had reserved bikes (electric) the day before. My dh found an app called Komoot and we decided on a route for our day. We did the Voie die Vignes à vèlo- Canal à Chagny Loop from Beaune. The girl who helped us with the bikes told us about her grandfather who live in Sacramento. It truly is a small world.
After 12 or so miles we stopped in Santenay. We got a chicken sandwich on a baguette and a herby ham cheese bread concoction that was utterly delicious. There was mustard on the sandwich that just made it devine.
We rode and rode and rode and rode. The scenery was just spectacular and the weather perfect. After 6…yes I said six hours later we returned the bikes. About 40 miles of riding with two very sore derrières. Would I do this again? Yes! But hopefully without the sore parts.
I really don’t know how we walked another mile back to the apartment but we did. A couple hours of rest and a hot shower later we walked to a wine bar for dinner.
Monday night does not offer a lot of choices for dinner because so many places are closed. We did show our pass sanitair and sat down for a great meal. A buffalo mozzarella salad with hierloom tomatoes and small basil leaves started our meal. A sparkling cidré from Normandy and Bourgogne wine to enjoy along with it. There was a young woman taking selfie’s and videos of herself who commented on the salad. I offered her some and ended up having a nice chat with her. A solo traveler from Vancouver, Canada she told us about her adventures in Paris and Beaune.
After she left our 2nd course came we ate our crispy chicken pieces with our green salad. Tired and stuffed we walked home.
There is something about the night skies France. The sky was this beautiful inky blue color. It would be great to sit outside and just gaze.
Today:
Another early walk through the old town gives me a good sense of the town waking up without a bunch of tourists. The elementary school children are quickly walking with parents some of whom could use a cup of coffee. I pass by a father talking to his 3 year old precious daughter. Her hands were on her hips telling him something very earnestly.
I walk past the Cooks Attelier store and pause to gaze through the windows. I will come back later. One of the owners is outside with her dog but I do not want to bother her. Their story is great and I have their cook book at home.
https://www.thecooksatelier.com/
I did get back to the store later and enjoyed looking at all of the cooking/gardening products. The owners are completely kind and gracious. Their dog was very well behaved and after a few pats brought me his moose toy.
Some more meandering and another passion fruit sorbet led us to a adorable children’s clothing store. I did manage to buy my littlest grand a beautiful dress.
Oh and a passion fruit mousse for dessert
We leave for Lake Annecy tomorrow.
Sep 14th, 2021, 03:52 PM
#50
Join Date: Mar 2018
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The tomato salad looked fantastic!
The Cook's Atelier is great. Have you not been out for wine?
Enjoy Annecy.... and save room for some tartiflette.
And I've had true cappuccino in France, but in the Cote d'Azur the italians know the difference.
The Cook's Atelier is great. Have you not been out for wine?
Enjoy Annecy.... and save room for some tartiflette.
And I've had true cappuccino in France, but in the Cote d'Azur the italians know the difference.
Sep 15th, 2021, 05:15 AM
#53
Paqngo.I think I have gained 150 lbs just reading and enjoying your notes and photos 
Still, it's worth it! It will also be worth it to follow some of your adventure in these charming towns. And thank you for the link to the cook book. Enjoy your next stop - Lake Annecy. I am eager to read about your time there.
Still, it's worth it! It will also be worth it to follow some of your adventure in these charming towns. And thank you for the link to the cook book. Enjoy your next stop - Lake Annecy. I am eager to read about your time there.
Sep 15th, 2021, 05:02 PM
#54
Join Date: May 2016
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Love the dahlias. I have always been inspired by gardens and always try and incorporate some ideas in my own garden here in Australia. Sadly my husband won’t allow me to buy all the houses in the street so I can have my very own Versailles
Sep 18th, 2021, 08:25 AM
#56
Original Poster
Our car rental pick up went smooth in Beaune. We rented a small car with a manual transmission for 277€ for 8 days. They ended up giving us a nicer car and an automatic so all in all a good deal.
Our drive from Beaune to Annecy took us through many small towns and villages.
We saw a big church repaired in Tichey
Morbier that was surrounded by lush green trees. Small towns nestled in valleys with mountains on each side.
We wound our out way down the mountains and we drove by cows munching on green grass with their bells cling clanging. I had to roll down my window to enjoy the music they make.
The wood was piled high and the trees show a hint of color changing. You can feel that summer is winding down and fall is upon us.
We make it to our apartment in the heart of Annecy just before a huge thunderstorm. Our apartment is on the fourth floor and is a five minute walk to the historic center. Our doors open we enjoy listening to the loud rumbling and have a glass of wine.
Dinner was really easy we ordered take away from a restaurant downstairs. Steak and frites for me and fish for my dh.
Another early morning for me so I go to the boulangerie for a quiche and a couple of croissants. I have become addicted to spreading small amounts of Nutella on my croissant.
We had a great morning walk along the lake and then wander through the European garden. I am loving all of the flowers everywhere. We walk up and down the canals and then I pop into a local artist shop. She tells me about her work. I purchase something for my mom but wish I could of gotten one of her paintings.
We stop and get a ham and raclette sandwich to share. So yummy.
The forecast for bad weather in the afternoon had us getting some Thai food to go and we had dinner at the apartment.
We had thunderstorms again all afternoon.
Waking up to no rain we ate and grabbed a coffee at Caffe Bunna before we get on a boat to tour the Lake. A hot chai latte and I am set.
I have failed to mention the color and clarity of Lake Annecy. The color is a beautiful turquoise blue that sparkles.
The lake tour lasted an hour and a half and is all in French. We really enjoy the homes dotting the lake and a beautiful church perched above a small village.
We stop for crepes- ham and cheese and a caramel crepe are so good. A glass of wine and we are good to go.
An afternoon of good weather made us jump into the car and drive up to Chamonix for some exploration. Every time I saw a peak I thought it might be Mount Blanc. Really when you do see it. WOW. The town if full of hikers, mountain bikers and tourists. We saw a car waiting for the bride and groom and some stunning buildings. The flowers in this town did not disappoint. After a couple hours of wandering we jump back into the car and head back.
Dinner was in the old center with a tartiflette for me and a escalope savoyarde- chicken topped with bubbling cheese. Both were good and left is no room for a dessert.
I wanted to comment about all of the dogs we have seen. Since our two pups are at home I think we notice them more. All so very cute big and small.
The people who sat next to us were well prepared for their dog. The woman took out a small rug that said good dog and set it on the ground. Water, food and a bone were next. The small Jack Russell laid down and did not even make any peeps as other dogs went buy.
We have just arrived in Apt for the next 5 days so more soon.
Our drive from Beaune to Annecy took us through many small towns and villages.
We saw a big church repaired in Tichey
Morbier that was surrounded by lush green trees. Small towns nestled in valleys with mountains on each side.
We wound our out way down the mountains and we drove by cows munching on green grass with their bells cling clanging. I had to roll down my window to enjoy the music they make.
The wood was piled high and the trees show a hint of color changing. You can feel that summer is winding down and fall is upon us.
We make it to our apartment in the heart of Annecy just before a huge thunderstorm. Our apartment is on the fourth floor and is a five minute walk to the historic center. Our doors open we enjoy listening to the loud rumbling and have a glass of wine.
Dinner was really easy we ordered take away from a restaurant downstairs. Steak and frites for me and fish for my dh.
Another early morning for me so I go to the boulangerie for a quiche and a couple of croissants. I have become addicted to spreading small amounts of Nutella on my croissant.
We had a great morning walk along the lake and then wander through the European garden. I am loving all of the flowers everywhere. We walk up and down the canals and then I pop into a local artist shop. She tells me about her work. I purchase something for my mom but wish I could of gotten one of her paintings.
We stop and get a ham and raclette sandwich to share. So yummy.
The forecast for bad weather in the afternoon had us getting some Thai food to go and we had dinner at the apartment.
We had thunderstorms again all afternoon.
Waking up to no rain we ate and grabbed a coffee at Caffe Bunna before we get on a boat to tour the Lake. A hot chai latte and I am set.
I have failed to mention the color and clarity of Lake Annecy. The color is a beautiful turquoise blue that sparkles.
The lake tour lasted an hour and a half and is all in French. We really enjoy the homes dotting the lake and a beautiful church perched above a small village.
We stop for crepes- ham and cheese and a caramel crepe are so good. A glass of wine and we are good to go.
An afternoon of good weather made us jump into the car and drive up to Chamonix for some exploration. Every time I saw a peak I thought it might be Mount Blanc. Really when you do see it. WOW. The town if full of hikers, mountain bikers and tourists. We saw a car waiting for the bride and groom and some stunning buildings. The flowers in this town did not disappoint. After a couple hours of wandering we jump back into the car and head back.
Dinner was in the old center with a tartiflette for me and a escalope savoyarde- chicken topped with bubbling cheese. Both were good and left is no room for a dessert.
I wanted to comment about all of the dogs we have seen. Since our two pups are at home I think we notice them more. All so very cute big and small.
The people who sat next to us were well prepared for their dog. The woman took out a small rug that said good dog and set it on the ground. Water, food and a bone were next. The small Jack Russell laid down and did not even make any peeps as other dogs went buy.
We have just arrived in Apt for the next 5 days so more soon.
