Final French Lesson

Sherry has diligently moved forward with here French lessons.  She contracted with a local teacher who comes to the house and works her hard on her French.  As you can see, her Mom, Dad AND London are participating (well, just her Mom really).  The France experience is really taking hold on Sherry.  I believe she will not give up until she is proficient in the language and customs.  We are getting close to understanding the food and wine so we are making some progress.

Sherry, Mom, Dad, London and Teacher

Sent from my HTC Inspire™ 4G on AT&T

Date Night at the Chateau

Tonight was date night for Steve & me. We had reservations at a Michelin starred restaurant in Tournus. When we arrived, it was very odd. We went into a small room and informed the hostess of our 7:00 pm reservation. She asked us to sit and wait 30 minutes, no bar option, no ambiance, actually no other person in sight. So, instead of sitting, we left.

Our lovely host at the chateau had recommended a restaurant on Ile St Laurent in Chalon, so we headed there. Upon entering the restaurant and requesting a table, we were informed that no reservation = no table. I could understand if the restaurant was packed, but there was NO ONE inside. Someone please explain this to me!!! So, needless to say, we didn't get a table there either. In fact half of the restaurants were closed, turn out it was a bank holiday so business also are closed. (Americans seriously need to follow the relaxed lifestyle of the French - 2 hour lunches, stores are closed more than open....etc.)

Fortunately, we ran into a friend and his wife on the island, he runs the local wine store in Chalon. He recommended another restaurant on the island and we loved it. Seriously, is there really any bad food and wine in France?? I think not! They had an AMAZING wine list. I actually understand the perfection of Burgundy wines after tonight. We have had some very nice wines on our stay here, but the wine tonight was pretty close to perfection!

All in all it was a very nice date night. London had a blast with Grammy & Pappy riding around the property in a wheelbarrow and picking cherries for cobbler.

Tomorrow is our last full day at the chateau. With all the packing out of the way, I see a fun day ahead of us - Chlaon market, Bresse chicken, White Asparagus, Patissierie, Picking Cherries, etc. A perfect last day in Chalon!

Date Night in the Minivan

Picking Cherries with Grammy & Pappy

Unique Transportation in France....Happy, Happy, Country, Country

Dreams Come True.....31 rue Cambon

OK, I officially recall my previous post about packing/leaving Chalon. Yes, I am sad to leave this wonderful region of France, BUT we were just informed this evening that next Wednesday I will be in the most historical location in Paris as far as I am concerned. Yes, the Louvre is nice, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur and the Opera are amazing......but next Wednesday at 10:00 am I will be visiting 31 rue Cambon......Coco Chanel's apartment!!!! Are you kidding me, yes, that is correct......31 rue Cambon - the most amazing place in Paris as far as I am concerned! Now, my trip is complete, I need nothing else - except of course an appropriate Chanel outfit to wear. The question is do I wear the current collection or do I visit Didier Ludot for a vintage Chanel piece???? Big decisions......4 days to discover the perfect outfit as soon as we arrive into Paris. (Je voudrais habille comme il faut.) I think I'm going to die......I'm so excited!!! Viva la France!! I love this country! (And I also love our dear friends, Pilar & Yvette at Chanel Dallas who made this possible - we love you! Thank you)

Seriously, I may never leave this wonderful, perfect country!

Packing Day......This Bourgogne adventure is about to end

Today is the day of laundry and packing after taking over this chateau for a month. If we manage to not forget anything, I will be shocked! ;-> This is so sad. As much as I love Paris, we have really enjoyed this area and I'm not quite sure I'm ready for the chaos of next week in a big city. Not to mention, the adjustment from a 7 bedroom chateau to a 700 sq ft apartment with 5 people!!!! We have been quite spoiled! Oh well, a new adventure awaits......at least the shopping will be better in Paris. ;->

Tournus, France

Day trip to Tournus - This is a very quaint town that has a number of interesting antique stores, various home goods and art shops.  The main attraction of this town is the amazing abbey, St-Philbert, a Romanesque abbey which dates back to the 10th century. We explored the abbey's crypt, nave, original floors, gardens, etc. it was completely amazing. There happened to be an organ playing when we arrived and London loved the music. We were enjoying our exploration of the abbey until Steve & London climbed the wooden pulpit for a picture and we were asked to leave.....oops. I suppose we need a little Catholic education. Overall, it was a very interesting day. We ended the morning in the town of Macon at a wonderful spot for lunch right on the river. Needless to say, we enjoyed the wine of Macon and locals in the restaurant. It was another wonderful day in Bourgogne!

Here is the link to information about Tournus:
http://www.burgundytoday.com/towns/tournus.htm

London enjoying the organ concert & clapping when each song ended. 

Pappy & London exploring the Crypt of the Abbey with an iPhone flashlight.....interesting toddler activity!!

Ascending the pulpit......the ultimate demise of  our visit. ;->

Linda/Mom enjoying the gardens of the abbey

Voila.....Steve, London & Pappy posing on a statue on the river in Macon after lunch.

Dora, Dora, Dora.......

For anyone that knows London, you know she loves Dora the Explorer. We have 'adopted' this cat during our stay at the Chateau. We started feeding her a few weeks ago and she shows up religiously every morning and evening. London has named her 'Dora.' So every time she comes over we get to sing the Dora the Explorer song. Too bad we are all allergic to cats, poor London doesn't stand a chance of having a 'Dora' the cat when we get home.

Dora, Dora, Dora......

London, Pappy & Dora during Dora's dinnertime

Mercurey Visit - part trois!!

Tuesday we toured the area west of Chalone sur Saone.  We intended on having lunch at La Charme, a previous blog posting, but found they were closed.  It is something you have to prepare for in the country in France.  Most business is closed Sunday and Monday and some closed Tuesday.  Pretty much every other day restaurants open at noon - 2 p.m. while everything else closes down.  Everything else back open at 2 p.m. and restaurants prepare for dinner beginning later.   It took some time to fully grasp you don't just show up or run to the store for supplies whenever you choose.

In any event, we had lunch at Le Petit Blanc in Charecey which is near one of our favorite towns of Mercurey.  In a few words.....the lunch was overwhelming in taste, substance and amount.  I had Beef Bourguignon, as did Linda, and we ended up with an enormous pot to share.  That was after starter and before cheese AND dessert.  I couldn't eat dinner or breakfast.

Beef Bourguignon en Coquette & a FULL Steve

London loving her lunch/ice cream at Le Petit Blanc

After lunch we visited with Francois Raquillet at his Mercurey winery.  His wife gave us a complete tour of the winery and described the entire process.  All in all an amazing and educational day.  BTW, we are having Francois Raquillet wines with dinner tonight.  It is a cold and rainy night so we fired up the fireplace and Sherry & her mom made homemade French Onion soup.

Francois Raquillet Cellar - We will miss this wine when we return to Dallas!!!! 

Little Wine-Educated Baby Girl