Let’s Go To France
Sep 19th, 2021, 05:17 AM
#61
Join Date: Apr 2003
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I have loved reading your trip report! After this long COVID travel-less dry spell, DH and I will end up in Monte Carlo after a business trip and then have a few days at our leisure. You make a strong case for spending some time in/near Chamonix!
Sep 20th, 2021, 03:14 PM
#64
I had to take a break from following......all that food made me hungry. Will be right back !! 
Sep 21st, 2021, 10:06 AM
#65
Original Poster
On our way down to Apt two things stood out.
The first was a lunch at a small square in Clelles. We arrived just in time for a bride and groom coming to greet their guests in the town square. We then had the best food we have had in France. A starter of green beans in an almond pesto, fresh tomatoes and corn proceeded by a bowl of roasted eggplant,tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini all topped with an crumble of toasted bread and cheese. My lunch ended with a panna cotta that was made with local honey instead of sugar. When I think of France food it will be this meal in a very tiny village.
The other stand out to me was driving through Sycamore trees lining each side of the roadway as we got closer to Apt. This reminds me of the movie Julie and Julia where Julia Childs is riding in the car while her husband drives in France. Yes it’s probably goofy but I enjoyed it.
We are staying at La Madone in Apt. It is an old Italian convent coverted to apartments. Our apartment, while on the top floor has great views and a gentle breeze blows through the windows. It has a large living room and kitchen which makes it nice for slow mornings and easy meals if we want.
On Sunday we went to the brocant market in I’sle- sur-la -Sorgue and wove our way in and out of people. I ended up wearing my mask the whole time. I did buy some veggies and eggs for the apartment. We loved the water flowing through town.
In Gordes we walked up into the square and they were having a market along with music. We ended up eating in the square and had a great time listening to the guitar player and singer. The were singing classic rock songs. I must say that the views back to this town are stunning.
We drove to Goult and walked up up and up to the windmill. Beautiful small town.
Monday morning and we were ready to go again. The Cedar forest was about 30 minutes from our place so we went up for a nice exploratory walk. It had a nice loop that had interpretation boards along the way. It was very breezy.
The breeze followed us into Bonnieux but we couldn’t resist sitting outside with a spectacular view for lunch. It was at an Italian restaurant. My lunch special was delicious and my dh had a calzone. We have been too full to eat desserts.
We found our way to Lacoste and the pretty town that has artisans making all sorts of interesting things. Pierre Cardin has bought a lot of the buildings and the towns people are not too happy about it. We did walk up to the top where the views are enormous.
Tuesday morning was a slow start for me. After breakfast we decided to go for the farthest town we would explore. The town of Eygalières captured my attention. A lovely walk up the main street where shops were open and locals were having coffee on the sidewalks. Lovely, well cared for and clean came to my head.
For lunch we headed for Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. A much bigger town but the historic downtown was great for walking through the maze like streets. Another well cared for town. I did enjoy popping in and out of stores. Lunch was at a small restaurant where we sat in the shade of a hickory tree. Our server was so very nice and he told us about his one year backpacking trip around the world with his girlfriend. Another great lunch.
We ended our day at La Fontaine de Vaucluse. A river runs right through the town. Coming into the town we saw people enjoying their canoes. We wandered up and had a great view of the old castle that sits up on the top. They also had a great paper museum that was free. After a pistachio ice cream it was time to drive.
more photos to come….
The first was a lunch at a small square in Clelles. We arrived just in time for a bride and groom coming to greet their guests in the town square. We then had the best food we have had in France. A starter of green beans in an almond pesto, fresh tomatoes and corn proceeded by a bowl of roasted eggplant,tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini all topped with an crumble of toasted bread and cheese. My lunch ended with a panna cotta that was made with local honey instead of sugar. When I think of France food it will be this meal in a very tiny village.
The other stand out to me was driving through Sycamore trees lining each side of the roadway as we got closer to Apt. This reminds me of the movie Julie and Julia where Julia Childs is riding in the car while her husband drives in France. Yes it’s probably goofy but I enjoyed it.
We are staying at La Madone in Apt. It is an old Italian convent coverted to apartments. Our apartment, while on the top floor has great views and a gentle breeze blows through the windows. It has a large living room and kitchen which makes it nice for slow mornings and easy meals if we want.
On Sunday we went to the brocant market in I’sle- sur-la -Sorgue and wove our way in and out of people. I ended up wearing my mask the whole time. I did buy some veggies and eggs for the apartment. We loved the water flowing through town.
In Gordes we walked up into the square and they were having a market along with music. We ended up eating in the square and had a great time listening to the guitar player and singer. The were singing classic rock songs. I must say that the views back to this town are stunning.
We drove to Goult and walked up up and up to the windmill. Beautiful small town.
Monday morning and we were ready to go again. The Cedar forest was about 30 minutes from our place so we went up for a nice exploratory walk. It had a nice loop that had interpretation boards along the way. It was very breezy.
The breeze followed us into Bonnieux but we couldn’t resist sitting outside with a spectacular view for lunch. It was at an Italian restaurant. My lunch special was delicious and my dh had a calzone. We have been too full to eat desserts.
We found our way to Lacoste and the pretty town that has artisans making all sorts of interesting things. Pierre Cardin has bought a lot of the buildings and the towns people are not too happy about it. We did walk up to the top where the views are enormous.
Tuesday morning was a slow start for me. After breakfast we decided to go for the farthest town we would explore. The town of Eygalières captured my attention. A lovely walk up the main street where shops were open and locals were having coffee on the sidewalks. Lovely, well cared for and clean came to my head.
For lunch we headed for Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. A much bigger town but the historic downtown was great for walking through the maze like streets. Another well cared for town. I did enjoy popping in and out of stores. Lunch was at a small restaurant where we sat in the shade of a hickory tree. Our server was so very nice and he told us about his one year backpacking trip around the world with his girlfriend. Another great lunch.
We ended our day at La Fontaine de Vaucluse. A river runs right through the town. Coming into the town we saw people enjoying their canoes. We wandered up and had a great view of the old castle that sits up on the top. They also had a great paper museum that was free. After a pistachio ice cream it was time to drive.
more photos to come….
Sep 21st, 2021, 05:31 PM
#72
Why can't we have food like that in the US?
No, it's gotta be burger with tomato, burger with cheese, burger with cheese and tomato, etc; or beans with cheese, cheese with beans, beans IN cheese, etc.;
No, it's gotta be burger with tomato, burger with cheese, burger with cheese and tomato, etc; or beans with cheese, cheese with beans, beans IN cheese, etc.;
Sep 21st, 2021, 10:09 PM
#74
Join Date: Mar 2018
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Pagngo -- wonderful pictures that are transporting me back. do try some provencal honey -- look for miel garrigues. from local scrub brush like lavender and rosemary -- a strong distinctive taste. Below Bonnieux, I quite like Chateau les Eydins -- not fancy grounds like their famous neighbor but a real local winemaker. An organic winery with some excellent but inexpensive rose that is so typical of the area.
@Tdudette -- I believe the handwriting font is the one that is taught and heavily scrutinized among French school children.
@tombay And yet burgers remain ever popular in France. Sigh. At least in Northern California we have fresh options -- much of it due to the southern French influence that has spread into California cuisine (by way of Alice Waters and others)
@Tdudette -- I believe the handwriting font is the one that is taught and heavily scrutinized among French school children.
@tombay And yet burgers remain ever popular in France. Sigh. At least in Northern California we have fresh options -- much of it due to the southern French influence that has spread into California cuisine (by way of Alice Waters and others)
Sep 22nd, 2021, 12:17 AM
#75
Original Poster
@gooster I will look today for some of the honey and thanks for the info about the rose. I agree that food in Northern California is great. It helps that we live in a place that fresh produce is so available.
@Tdudette The mask wearing inside is a must. Outside is a different thing. The market we went to not a lot of mask wearing outside but at the restaurants we have eaten at the servers were all wearing them. We really have only been eating outside.
@annettetx - Have fun on your trip.
@tomboy - We have seen burgers on menus. I think food in the US like France is different region to region. Getting to try the different areas in France has been very enjoyable.
@Coquelicot Are you still in France? I hope you are enjoying yourself!
We have one day left in Apt before turning on the car in Aix en Provence where we will stay a couple of nights. Off to find some local honey and a bottle of rosé.
@Tdudette The mask wearing inside is a must. Outside is a different thing. The market we went to not a lot of mask wearing outside but at the restaurants we have eaten at the servers were all wearing them. We really have only been eating outside.
@annettetx - Have fun on your trip.
@tomboy - We have seen burgers on menus. I think food in the US like France is different region to region. Getting to try the different areas in France has been very enjoyable.
@Coquelicot Are you still in France? I hope you are enjoying yourself!
We have one day left in Apt before turning on the car in Aix en Provence where we will stay a couple of nights. Off to find some local honey and a bottle of rosé.
Sep 22nd, 2021, 12:13 PM
#77
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Paqngo, we are still here here, still eating everything put in front of us, and trying to balance it with walking everyday. But I'm pretty sure the number of calories in is much greater than the number of calories expended. At least reading about your good meal s is calorie free.
