Finishing in Paris

 Our final five nights  in Paris were spent wandering the streets from our comfortable hotel in the Sorbonne area. Short walks to St Germain, the islands and to see the progress on Notre Dame Cathedral.

Olympic preparations were well under way with some iconic areas fenced off for temporary grandstands. It was a little disappointing to be unable to see some of our favourite places.

We managed to eat at three of our favourite restaurants, however, and were very pleased that they were still operating, and still very good. L'Orangerie, L'Apibo and Petit Marche consistently good in our 3-4 visits to each.

A trip to Pais is not complete without returning to our favourite art gallery in Musee D'Orsay where a special exhibition on the birth of Impressionism was underway. Unfortunately the crowds were a little overwhelming to get a full appreciation.

Our flight home involved a 14 hour stopover in Saigon that was relieved by Vietnam airlines providing our visas, a tour, hotel, transfers and meals will we waited. The flight home was uncrowded for a relaxed flight.

Saint Malo

 Our next five days was in a lovely apartment overlooking a bay just south of Saint Malo's walled city. We loved sitting near the window watching the enormous fluctuations of the tide and the dauly activity. Free parking outside meant we did little driving, but we managed outings to the fascinating old city of Dinan and the oyster and seafood town of Cancale.

We had a great seafood meal tasting the famous oysters, as we watched tractors hauling loads of oysters up from the beac in Cancale. We also took the ferry across the bay from St Malo to Dinard, where there were beautiful mansions from the Victorian era.

Sandra and I were able to prepare seafood meals in the best equipped kitchen so far. The only drawback is that Gail and I again got the second best room near a bar that was too popular by half.

Loire Valley

 Our next five days were booked into Maison Gaspard in the heart of Saumur. A drive past some chateau and a lunch stop had us at the apartment to discover we had been swapped rooms. After a somewhat heated discussion with the lady manager we tried to make do. Visited the impressive cahteau on the hill above and enjoyed a couple of meals in the area around our inadequate apartment, but on the third day we decamped to a lovely renovated cottage near Chinon for the next three days. 

Gail and I revisited Usses and Azay de Rideau chateaux and with the Langfords enjoyed Langeias castle. Relaxing and being able to cook in our little cottage was a treat.

Heading North

 After a happy stay in Sete, we set off to drive through the centre of France to meet again with the Langfords in Bourges.

The first day was to drive across the Millau viaduct that I’ve long been interested in. It is a spectacular sight and the interpretive centre was interesting. We then drove into the Gorges du Tarn and our hotel at Le Rozier. The gorge is stunning and the hotel and its restaurant was a very welcome bit of indulgence.

The next day was to Vichy that has the mineral water springs and Belle Epoque spas. Unfortunately the central spa and park was closed for renovations. The town was classy and enjoyed both our hotel and the river parks and gardens.

Met up with the Langfords in Bourges staying close by the old part of the city. Not much opened on Sunday and Monday, but Gail and I stumbled on a major service in the cathedral with a long line of priests and bishops in procession accompanied by the church organ and choir. Quite a sight.

Heading South

 Heading to our next stay in Aix en Provence we got a warning from our host that many roads were blocked in the town for a big Iron Man event. We decided to visit a few towns on the way to have it over with.

First stop was St Remy de Provence now busy on a Sunday that preceded another public holiday called Whitsunday. It’s a very pretty town full of the usual shops and restaurants. We pressed on to Eyguileries, a smaller, but charming village where we had a nice lunch.

Arriving in Aix around 5 pm we found our street blocked and a traffic jam. Finally finding our host Anne-Claire, she walked out into the road to stop traffic so we could turn around and then got the police to let us through. Above and beyond.

The car stayed in her car park for the rest of our stay. Her only black mark was recommending restaurants to eat at that proved very disappointing. Gail even sent her meal back at one!

On Tuesday we drove to our next stay in Sete, intending to visit a few places on the way. Our host at Sete offered an earlier access to the apartment so we drove straight on. It was great to get in early and enjoy the great view over the harbour. The downside was the 75 steps up to the apartment……we’re getting our steps!

Once I got rare free parking spot outside the building, the decision was made to relax and enjoy walking along the waterfront and eating at one of the hundreds of seafood restaurants in the area. Cooking seafood also done at home after the very busy Wednesday markets allowed us to buy fresh produce at reasonable prices.

Lunch stop

Aix

Sete

Avignon Part 2

 Thursday saw the much anticipated sunshine so we headed across the bridge on the Rhone to Villeneuve-Kez-Avignon, to wander in another friendly market. A drive up the hill and a steep walk took us the the huge Fort Saint Andre and great views back to the papal palace.

Back in Avignon we visited an art museum a few doors away from our apartment that had an impression collection of sculptures and paintings. As thunderstorms appeared likely we walked back to find the Langfords in our local bar just as the downpour began. Students walking out of school seemed to relish getting soaked.

On Friday we joined forces with the Langfords to drive to Beaucaire and to visit a wine cooperative that I enjoyed in 2009 and 2015. A nice tasting with Agnes and several judicious purchases made before our lunch stop at Le Patio in Fontvielle. This was also a reprise of a favourite lunch venue of those years.

A wonderful meal again prepared by the same chef left us needing an afternoon nap before Gail and I strolled around unvisited parts of Avignon.

On Saturday Gail and Sandra were keen to do a little water therapy, so a lunchj cruise was booked on the Rhone River. Passed by Avignon and headed on the wide expanse of the Rhone. A pleasant interlude before dinner at home and a bit of packing before leaving tomorrow.

Avignon Part 1

 On Monday we left Pommard for the long drive to Avignon. The first part was through the vineyards and villages of the southern part of Burgundy to Cluny, where we stopped for a visit to the famed abbey and monastery. We took a lunch break then proceeded to the A6/7 and heavy traffic and high speeds past Lyon.

Parking and driving inside the old city walls of Avignon is a challenge, as was getting baggage up narrow stairs to our home for  six nights. A drink at our friendly neighbourhood bar, dinner and a sit on our deck overlooking the town eased the stress of the day.

Tuesday was overcast and showery, so instead of walking Avignon, the Langfords headed to Aix, while we went to revisit L’ill sur la Sorgue, a pretty town with the Sorgue river flowing through its streets. After a tasty lunch at a deli on the river we took the opportunity to see Fontaine de Vaucluse where the river emerges from under cliffs and then the spectacular hilltop town of Gordes. Roast chicken dinner.

Wednesday I was over driving, so the car found a home in a parking station so that we could walk Avignon, visiting the market hall for dinner supplies and then on to the papal palace and gardens. Lunch was in a very French restaurant near the palace “La Papa”.

Sandra and Al returned from a trip to St Remy and Arles so I prepared a prawn pasta dinner from our Les Halles market. The weather looks to improve over the next three days.

Gordes

Cluny

L’isle

Fontaine

Les Halles

Avignon

Perfect Pommard

 The weather finally turned in our favour as we picked up our car in Dijon and drove to our next home for three days in the wine village of Pommard. We met up with the Langfords at a restaurant I had chosen in a small village near Beaune. It had only a Prix Fix menu with two choices in each course, but the food and the setting overlooking a pond and a bubbling stream was perfect.

Our apartment was in the centre of Pommard with secure parking behind a big gate. It was very roomy and well catered. On Saturday we all drove into Beaune for the market day, battling through crowds thronging around the stalls containing a wonderful array. We had time for a drink at our favourite wine bar that has had a change of name and setup each time we visit.

Sunday, being Mothers Day, I had booked a table in a restaurant we ate at 9 years ago nestled next to vines with a view to Pommard and Volnay. I drove the happy mothers to two tastings - one of sparkling wines and the other with an extensive range of wines from all over the region.

Home happy to prepare for the long drive to Avignon.