Posting from St-Emilion
May 10th, 2011, 12:31 PM
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Posting from St-Emilion
This is the first time I've actually posted while on a trip, but I have a few minutes and a good WiFi connection, so here goes.
We are presently in a Chateau B&B right outside of St-Emilion called Franc Pourret. The B&B is very nice and close enough to St.-Emi to walk to it in about 20 minutes through the vineyards.
We just had a great dinner at a restaurant in St-Emi called "Le Tertre". Last night we ate at L'huitre l'Pie which was also exceptional.
On this past weekend we attended the Grand Cru weekend in the city of Bordeaux. It included a tasting of 100 grand cru chateaus, dinner at one of them and a bus tour of the Medoc. It was exceptional and I recommend it for next year for any wine lover.
It's late, we had a lot of wine, and tomorrow we are headed to Sarlat so now I am going to bed.
Good night and I'll try to write more tomorrow.
We are presently in a Chateau B&B right outside of St-Emilion called Franc Pourret. The B&B is very nice and close enough to St.-Emi to walk to it in about 20 minutes through the vineyards.
We just had a great dinner at a restaurant in St-Emi called "Le Tertre". Last night we ate at L'huitre l'Pie which was also exceptional.
On this past weekend we attended the Grand Cru weekend in the city of Bordeaux. It included a tasting of 100 grand cru chateaus, dinner at one of them and a bus tour of the Medoc. It was exceptional and I recommend it for next year for any wine lover.
It's late, we had a lot of wine, and tomorrow we are headed to Sarlat so now I am going to bed.
Good night and I'll try to write more tomorrow.
May 11th, 2011, 12:24 PM
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We are now in Sarlat. On the way from St-Emi we stopped in Bergerac and visited the Monbazillac chateau.
The weather has been fantastic this week. Today it was sunny all day and the temp got to 28-29 C. It was too hot even at 6 PM when we trekked up to Beynec chateau.
We are at a lovely B&B in Sarlat called Les Cordelier.
The weather has been fantastic this week. Today it was sunny all day and the temp got to 28-29 C. It was too hot even at 6 PM when we trekked up to Beynec chateau.
We are at a lovely B&B in Sarlat called Les Cordelier.
May 11th, 2011, 12:50 PM
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sssteve!! How nice to read your lines. I am happily following your entries!!!
I cannot believe you are staying also at Les Cordeliers!! I hope you will have better luck than we, as we also stayed there about 2 weeks ago!!
Since you are managing to get on-line, this means you are NOT in Room 6 as we were, with no WiFi and no ability to fix it. As long as everything was OK and we had no "complaints", our host was OK, not overly nice, but OK. If you had something to report that was not 100%, like our inability to connect and our water being not hot enough with not enough pressure either, he did not like that at all.
On the plus side, the place is clean, with very large rooms and serve a good breakfast, albeit not included in the room price. However, in retrospect we may have been able to get a better deal for the price somewhere else. Nonetheless the place has the #1 spot on tripadvisor and that is partly why I went for it.
I will be anxiously awaiting your "take" on the place.
Have a really great time and keep up the reports if you can. Don't miss the Saturday market which starts right outside your door and goes all the way to the other side of town almost. It is fabulous, you have some great finds, free tastings, and great great vendors who have a real sense of humor and good will.
I wonder where you shall be taking your meals......
Enjoy !!!
I cannot believe you are staying also at Les Cordeliers!! I hope you will have better luck than we, as we also stayed there about 2 weeks ago!!
Since you are managing to get on-line, this means you are NOT in Room 6 as we were, with no WiFi and no ability to fix it. As long as everything was OK and we had no "complaints", our host was OK, not overly nice, but OK. If you had something to report that was not 100%, like our inability to connect and our water being not hot enough with not enough pressure either, he did not like that at all.
On the plus side, the place is clean, with very large rooms and serve a good breakfast, albeit not included in the room price. However, in retrospect we may have been able to get a better deal for the price somewhere else. Nonetheless the place has the #1 spot on tripadvisor and that is partly why I went for it.
I will be anxiously awaiting your "take" on the place.
Have a really great time and keep up the reports if you can. Don't miss the Saturday market which starts right outside your door and goes all the way to the other side of town almost. It is fabulous, you have some great finds, free tastings, and great great vendors who have a real sense of humor and good will.
I wonder where you shall be taking your meals......
Enjoy !!!
May 11th, 2011, 09:07 PM
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Flame:
We are in one of the upstairs rooms and the wifi is very weak, and right now I am in the downstairs lobby where the signal is fine. My wife is miffed that there is no TV but the rest of the group don't seem to mind. We are 2 couples.
The hosts have been very nice and eager to please and it's hard to beat a fully stocked kitchenette for the guests.
Last night we ate at the restaurant with the cave in the back. The restaurant was nothing special but the cassoulet was very good. What amazes me is the the restaurant prices. They are about half the price of the restaurants we ate at in St-Emi and Bordeaux.
Tonight we eat at Le Presidial, weather permitting. This morning we have the first showers of the trip.
Everybody enjoyed strolling about Sarlat last night. It is really a beautiful town.
We are in one of the upstairs rooms and the wifi is very weak, and right now I am in the downstairs lobby where the signal is fine. My wife is miffed that there is no TV but the rest of the group don't seem to mind. We are 2 couples.
The hosts have been very nice and eager to please and it's hard to beat a fully stocked kitchenette for the guests.
Last night we ate at the restaurant with the cave in the back. The restaurant was nothing special but the cassoulet was very good. What amazes me is the the restaurant prices. They are about half the price of the restaurants we ate at in St-Emi and Bordeaux.
Tonight we eat at Le Presidial, weather permitting. This morning we have the first showers of the trip.
Everybody enjoyed strolling about Sarlat last night. It is really a beautiful town.
May 12th, 2011, 11:45 AM
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sssteve
Sounds like you are having a great time!! Indeed the stocked kichenette was a nice touch. If you can move rooms, no. 2 was great and WiFi worked well. Yes the lobby was fine for the computer but much more comfortable if you can use in the room.
What restaurant has a cave in the back? We did not eat at Le Presidial - I hope you enjoy it. I can HIGHLY recommend Le Grand Bleu which was fabulous, if you can get a reservation before you leave. We loved Sarlat as well, but then we loved all the towns that we visited in the area - a lovely lovely area.
I am particularly interested to hear all about the Grand Cru weekend when you get back home and have time. It sounds like something I would love!! We had SUCH great wines during the time we were there......
Blowing away the rain for you...........
Ciao for now.
Sounds like you are having a great time!! Indeed the stocked kichenette was a nice touch. If you can move rooms, no. 2 was great and WiFi worked well. Yes the lobby was fine for the computer but much more comfortable if you can use in the room.
What restaurant has a cave in the back? We did not eat at Le Presidial - I hope you enjoy it. I can HIGHLY recommend Le Grand Bleu which was fabulous, if you can get a reservation before you leave. We loved Sarlat as well, but then we loved all the towns that we visited in the area - a lovely lovely area.
I am particularly interested to hear all about the Grand Cru weekend when you get back home and have time. It sounds like something I would love!! We had SUCH great wines during the time we were there......
Blowing away the rain for you...........
Ciao for now.
May 12th, 2011, 09:18 PM
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Yes, the grand cru weekend was incredible. I can't do it justice here so I won't try. It will all be on the next web page. I will say that with our dinner at the chateau (Brainaire Ducru) we had a 1986 red which was fabulous.
Yesterday, we took the gabore ride. We missed the boat at Beynec so we drove over to La-Roque Gageac and got right on a boat there. There is more of a selection in La-Roque than in Beynec. In any case, we enjoyed the "cruise". The day was cloudy and in the late afternoon it rained hard for about 10 minutes.
We visited the Jardins de Marqueyssac which was fabulous, even though the day was gray with no sun.
In the evening we ate at the Presidial and the meal was fabulous. I had the best duck liver escalope I have ever had in my life. It was incredible.
Today the skies are blue and the sun has returned. We are headed to Rocamadour. As soon as I close here, I'll go search for a good restaurant for lunch...
Yesterday, we took the gabore ride. We missed the boat at Beynec so we drove over to La-Roque Gageac and got right on a boat there. There is more of a selection in La-Roque than in Beynec. In any case, we enjoyed the "cruise". The day was cloudy and in the late afternoon it rained hard for about 10 minutes.
We visited the Jardins de Marqueyssac which was fabulous, even though the day was gray with no sun.
In the evening we ate at the Presidial and the meal was fabulous. I had the best duck liver escalope I have ever had in my life. It was incredible.
Today the skies are blue and the sun has returned. We are headed to Rocamadour. As soon as I close here, I'll go search for a good restaurant for lunch...
May 13th, 2011, 09:02 AM
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No problem Julie - there are lots of ducks left!
Today we went to Rocamadour. It was fantastic and the weather was fabulous. After that, we took a scenic ride to Autoir, St. Cere, Loubressac, Carennac and Martel. Without question Loubressac was the most beautiful and really lived up to its designation as a "beau village" of France. We had lunch in Autoir where there is a very nice restaurant.
Today we went to Rocamadour. It was fantastic and the weather was fabulous. After that, we took a scenic ride to Autoir, St. Cere, Loubressac, Carennac and Martel. Without question Loubressac was the most beautiful and really lived up to its designation as a "beau village" of France. We had lunch in Autoir where there is a very nice restaurant.
May 13th, 2011, 10:55 AM
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Wow, you just reminded me of a glass of 1986 Burgundy I had back in 2000 at Au Crocodile in Strasbourg. Oh my goodness - one of the best things I ever tasted.
You're also bringing back memories of a 2006 Dordogne trip. Thanks, Steve!
I think I'll have to crack open a St. Emilion this weekend...
You're also bringing back memories of a 2006 Dordogne trip. Thanks, Steve!
I think I'll have to crack open a St. Emilion this weekend...
May 13th, 2011, 10:10 PM
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Sap - exactly! While we were there, the bread truck came by to deliver bread to the neighborhood ladies.
Today, alas, it is raining. It is Saturday and market day. Tomorrow, the sun comes out again, and is expected to last for the entire week. The weather has been wonderful, although the wine makers would prefer a bit more rain.
Last night we ate at La Hoirie and had the best meal of the trip since the meal at the chateau in the medoc. Everything was superb including the service. It is a bit away from the center of town, (about 2 KM) so it may not be as well known as the Presidial, but it was even better. For those with a car, I highly recommend it.
Today it's supposed to rain until the late afternoon so we may have a long lunch instead of dinner.
The trip is now officially half over. Tomorrow we head for Figeac and Cahors.
Today, alas, it is raining. It is Saturday and market day. Tomorrow, the sun comes out again, and is expected to last for the entire week. The weather has been wonderful, although the wine makers would prefer a bit more rain.
Last night we ate at La Hoirie and had the best meal of the trip since the meal at the chateau in the medoc. Everything was superb including the service. It is a bit away from the center of town, (about 2 KM) so it may not be as well known as the Presidial, but it was even better. For those with a car, I highly recommend it.
Today it's supposed to rain until the late afternoon so we may have a long lunch instead of dinner.
The trip is now officially half over. Tomorrow we head for Figeac and Cahors.
May 13th, 2011, 11:41 PM
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Interestingly, our one major rain day was also on Saturday at the Sarlat market. But after lunchtime, it stopped and was OK. Hope you have continued good weather and good times.
We enjoyed our day at Rocamadour as well. It was quite amazing. Did not travel though to the other destinations you wrote afterwards. We also took the boat ride at La Roque Gageac and visited the Jardins de Marqueyssac. All fabulous!!
Have you been staying the entire time at Les Cordeliers at Sarlat?
We enjoyed our day at Rocamadour as well. It was quite amazing. Did not travel though to the other destinations you wrote afterwards. We also took the boat ride at La Roque Gageac and visited the Jardins de Marqueyssac. All fabulous!!
Have you been staying the entire time at Les Cordeliers at Sarlat?
May 14th, 2011, 09:38 AM
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It rained all morning in Sarlat, but the market went on as always. It mostly just drizzled.
In the afternoon we drove to Terrasone to visit the Jardins lImaginarie. The gardens are beautiful, and the sun came out while we were there. This garden can be visited only on a guided tour which is included in the price. It take an hour and a quarter.
The old town of Terrasone was beautiful and was well worth the visit.
In the afternoon we drove to Terrasone to visit the Jardins lImaginarie. The gardens are beautiful, and the sun came out while we were there. This garden can be visited only on a guided tour which is included in the price. It take an hour and a quarter.
The old town of Terrasone was beautiful and was well worth the visit.
May 15th, 2011, 02:24 PM
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Today was another beautiful day,
We visited Gourdon, Figeac and St-Cirq LaPopie. La Popie was everything it is billed as - beautiful and loaded with tourists even in the middle of May. It is what it is. It really is beautiful and not to be missed.
For dinner we ate at Le Gindreau in St. Medard, an incredible restaurant. Details at a later date. Now we are tired and on our way to bed!
We visited Gourdon, Figeac and St-Cirq LaPopie. La Popie was everything it is billed as - beautiful and loaded with tourists even in the middle of May. It is what it is. It really is beautiful and not to be missed.
For dinner we ate at Le Gindreau in St. Medard, an incredible restaurant. Details at a later date. Now we are tired and on our way to bed!
May 16th, 2011, 07:48 AM
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I'm almost embarrassed to write it but the weather continues to be incredible.
Today was another perfect day and we visited Pech Merle and then Cahors, and at the end of the day, we visited Chateau Lagrazette which is one of the leading wine makers in the Cashors area.
Pech Merle was a great visit, and Cahors was, as most people here have opined, a place without much to see. The Valentre bridge is beautiful but other than that, there's really not much to see. We spent a couple of hours here including lunch.
The ride from where we are to Pech Merle was outstanding. It goes through a national park, and the views and little towns are incredible. This is the route which goes through Vers and St-Gery. It's a very windy road but also very beautiful!
We are staying at a B&B in Merques called Le Mas Azemar. The place is like a chateau and museum combined, but the hostess, Sabine is wonderful. She cooks everything herself, and tonight we will have her dinner at the b&b with 8 other people. (10 all together)
Today was another perfect day and we visited Pech Merle and then Cahors, and at the end of the day, we visited Chateau Lagrazette which is one of the leading wine makers in the Cashors area.
Pech Merle was a great visit, and Cahors was, as most people here have opined, a place without much to see. The Valentre bridge is beautiful but other than that, there's really not much to see. We spent a couple of hours here including lunch.
The ride from where we are to Pech Merle was outstanding. It goes through a national park, and the views and little towns are incredible. This is the route which goes through Vers and St-Gery. It's a very windy road but also very beautiful!
We are staying at a B&B in Merques called Le Mas Azemar. The place is like a chateau and museum combined, but the hostess, Sabine is wonderful. She cooks everything herself, and tonight we will have her dinner at the b&b with 8 other people. (10 all together)
