Experiencing the Best of Europe
Day 18: Bonjour France
“Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere.” ― Isabelle Eberhardt
Best Moments
1. Morning walk in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
2. Wandering through the biggest Walmart-like store that I have ever seen in Europe (it was a Walmart on steroids!)
3. Eating bread and goat cheese on the bus
4. Chocolate tasting on the bus
5. Walking through the lovely French town of Beaune
6. Making time for a little shopping
7. Visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral and sending a little prayer
8. Enjoying a welcome drink at our hotel
9. Drinking French wine and eating French food
10. Knowing that I make a better boeuf bourguignon than I had in France
11. Our guide trying to loosen up the waiter a little bit
12. Going for a walk at night to see the night art projected on the buildings
Daily Recap
*One day in Beaune is not enough time. It is a charming Burgundian village full of great walking possibilities.
*We started by visiting the Hotel Dieu which is not a hotel, but was a hospital (or hospice). The architecture is great for photographers and the museum provides a glimpse into an interesting place.
*We had a little free time after visiting, so I was on a mission to accomplish as much as I could. I needed stamps, check. I wanted to pick up a souvenir, check. I wandered into the Notre Dame church, check.
*After the free time, we gathered back at the hotel for a welcome drink. There were two options a mint drink and a fruitier drink.
*Then it was time to visit the cave (winery). It was a fantastic experience. I loved how all of the senses were used in the wine tasting.
*We finished with a typical Burgundy dinner.
Personal Connections
*Our guide through the cave was an interesting character. He was very knowledgeable about his wine and we could tell it was his life. He would stick his decent-sized nose in the glass and keep it in there for what felt like an eternity. We leaned closer and closer to hear what he had to say about it. Finally he would take a sip and do some serious swishing.
*During dinner we got to have a unique experience with the French. There were a few people that felt put off by the manners of our waiter. I didn't see a problem with it, but then again, I know that French have a different perspective on service. They are not expected to engage in conversation or be overly friendly. They are there to give the food and offer suggestions, that's it. Jennifer had a little fun with our waiter by trying to engage him in some conversation. She as trying to teach him how to interact with Americans. He let himself go a little, but I don't know if he really appreciated that experience.
Stub Hub
Just as we did going into Italy, we received a lesson on ordering food. It was really cool to have an ex-culinary chef as our guide. Jennifer lived and worked in France for awhile as a chef. I love food, so to hear her perspective of food in France was a great perspective. I was really excited to be visiting a town in Burgundy. One of my favorite dishes to make at home is beouf bourguignon. I actually got to have it where it came from. I also can't look past escargot. What a treat!
Beaune is a great town to visit in France. It is not too large, but there is enough to keep people busy. The city is surrounded by ramparts which are nice to walk. I got up there one morning for a few minutes, but my energy level is dwindling compared to the beginning of the trip. I enjoyed visiting the Notre Dame church. It is not large, but it is a nice quiet place to collect thoughts.
At night the buildings come alive with a light show. There are projectors that create fantastic designs on the facades of the buildings. Some are playful and some are more artistic. A night walk in Beaune is a must.
The Hotel Dieu has a nice museum. I rushed through it because I knew we were limited on time and there was still so much I wanted to see. I really enjoyed the building itself. The tiles on the roof create a beautiful pattern. It was a nice afternoon, so the clouds helped me compose pictures that were stunning.
The restaurant we ate at in Beaune had great options. For dinner I ordered the escargot, beouf bourguignon, and cheese plate. I ordered a wine, but the waiter made a different suggestion, so I followed his recommendation. My favorite part of the meal was the side dish with the beouf bourguignon. It was like a scalloped potato casserole. The potatoes were so thin and the presentation made it look even more appetizing. I've tried making it at home, but have not been nearly as successful. I guess I will just have to go back there to have it.
Wine. That has been a theme throughout this entire experience. Now that we were in regions that are famous for their wines, we did a lot of tasting. Jennifer gave us a wine 101 while on the bus.
