the Alsace Village

Well today is our last day of liesure at the chateau.  Tomorrow we head toward Charles DeGaulle and on Sunday I head back to Tennessee.  We spent our last day of relaxation reading and vegging at the indoor pool and hot tub.  However, we also spent the morning at an open-air museum detailing the historical development of the typical Alsatian village.  It was very interesting!  All the little buildings with the different colors of paints and shutters - very attractive. 

We had an interesting lunch.  Being so close to Germany, the menu had a German flare.  I ordered something with spatzel, expecting schnitzel.  Instead I got what I think was a knuckle.  Well, live and learn.

France or Germany?

Alsace is an interesting area.  It is the eastern most province in France.  If you remember your history, the French and Germans have been arguing over this land for some time.  The area has been part of each country at one time or another over that last several hundred years.  It seems to be very "German" culturally and architecturally.  The town of Colmar certainly has a German flare to it.  However, there are still many distinctly "French" things also.  It is interesting the see the differences in the culture in each part of the country, much like we see in the United States.

The Chateau

We arrived in Roufrach France yesterday.  We are staying at the Chateau Issenberg.  Consdering that we are more Hampton Inn kind of people, this is a bit out of our league.  I don't have pictures of the Chateau, since I've been too busy at the pool and hot tub  and sipping wine to pose Gnome.  Also,there is a classic car group here (all Germans) and I don't want to get too close to the vehicles, which undoubtedly cost more than my house!  Anyway, I will take pics tomorrow.  We had a fabulous meal here at the chateau last night.  It was a bit (using that term very loosely) out of our price range, but so worth the 2nd mortgage!  Here is a picture of Gnome on the terrace before dinner.

Hospital in Beaune

The Hotel du Beaune was a hospital that operated in downtown Beaune for hundreds of years.  In fact the hospital opened in the 14th century and closed in 1973.  The local nuns cared for sick, whether wealthy or indigent, and gave hospice care to the dying.  They were really ahead of their time.  The facility is very well preserved with the "Dijon" roof.

Burgundy!

I am a little behind but I just been having so much fun!  We spent 2 days in Burgundy.  It is beautiful.  We stayed in this little hotel in Beaune.  The proprietors were a sweet little French couple.  We spent a day on the wine trail to Dijon.  The roads were very narrow but the wine was very good (here is a pic of Gnome in the wine cellar).  We didn't hit anything!  Dijon is a nice city but the major museum was closed!  We saw a few nice churches though.  We had dinner at the French version on Applebees.  It was Tre Excellent!

Grenoble to Cluny

Yesterday we travelled from Provence to Burgundy via Grenoble. Grenoble is a city in the French Alps.  You can take "bubbles" (cable cars) to the top of the mountain.  We had a wonderful lunch overlooking the Alps.  After lunch we headed north to Cluny - the site of a medieval monastery.  I studied Cluny in architectural history, so it was a very interesting visit.  They have done a very good job with the site - but, again, the signage was lacking and we wondered around in search of the entrance.

Birthday on the mountain

Well, what a fine way to spend a birthday - good food, good wine, good company in an incredible setting.  Beaux de Provence is a beautiful medieval town on the top of a mountain.  It is very quaint - definitely what comes to mind of when you think of Provence.  It was a long walk up, but the view was breathtaking!