Photos of my month in France

[monrein]

I'm beyond jet-lagged tired and caught a cold three days before leaving Paris but we had an amazing trip for a month in France.  I never forget how lucky I am to have had not one but two chances at living a non-dialysis life and want everyone here to know that when I travel I think of you all often.  Sorry about so many food photos but I do love eating exciting creations and there were so many on this trip.  My brother took the Paris photos as he and my sister joined us there for the final week of our trip. 

[willowtreewren]

Lovely pics! I don't see the food ones, yet. Eagerly awaiting those!

Aleta

 

[monrein]

The rest.

[MooseMom]

Hmm...I've just had a sandwich.  

The photos are wonderful, and I'm so glad you had a nice time.  I'm green with envy!  Which was your favorite meal?  I want details!

[monrein]

My favorite meal was at a restaurant called La Cassagnette very near to Arles where we rented a house for a week.  They grew all their own veggies, fruit and herbs, were organic but not totally vegetarian and we had the tasting menu, 7 courses each more delicious and beautiful than the one before.   The very suave french owner of the B and B we stayed in for a week before Arles recommended it and it was amazing.  http://www.chassagnette.fr/galerie-photos/

[cariad]

Tasting menus are the most divine creation in restaurant history!  Your travels and edibles look like paradise. The tower photo is stunning, and I could eat those gourmet offerings straight off the screen.

So glad you enjoyed, monrein, and welcome home!

[boswife]

oh boy, does it all look wonderful,..  What a dream come true.  Im so amazed and happy for you getting to do all this. Just the thought of it brings a sort of satisfaction to my soul.  And the food, oh ya got me there too.  Sampling is my favorite in the whole world   So glad ya did it 'again' and had the wonderful time ya did.   Welcome back, and get well quick 

[jbeany]

Now I'm jealous AND hungry.  Looks like a fabulous time! 

[Bill Peckham]

Where else did you visit? I love Paris. Great pics.

[monrein]

We started with 3 days in Avignon to recover from jet-lag, picked up our car and went to Vaison-la-Romaine in Provence.  Stayed at a beautiful B and B with nice hosts at the very top of the old town overlooking the roman bridge, river and newer town. We did day trips every day to other places in Provence, eating, hiking and visiting various sites.  Then a week in Arles in a house (the one with the blue door in the first two photos) right down the street from the roman ruins.  Like living in a museum.  One day at lunch there we were seated at a table beside a gentleman and a family who were talking about Picasso, Cocteau and other poets and artists of his era.  The man turned out to be Lucien Clergue, photographer of Picasso and longtime friend.  Great eavesdropping about their friendship and anecdotes about that time.  He's just written a book called "Picasso, my Friend".  It felt a bit like being in the movie Midnight in Paris.
Next we spent four nights in Saint Emilion, walking through vineyards although neither of us drink.  Pity really since this is the hearty of Bordeaux wine country.  Then we visited friends in Saintes which is near Bordeaux and we went also to Royan and La Rochelle nearby.  Then drove to Paris, dropped off the car and stayed a week in a rented apartment on the little island in the Seine right behind Notre Dame.  The apartment dates back to the 16th century and was very nice although the upstairs loft was made for hobbits.  That huge, huge beam running right across the room was a serious head hazard but the downstairs rooms had super tall ceilings and original painted beams.
I love Paris too Bill and we try to always end our time in France with a week there.  Went this year for the first time to the fantastic Guimet museum, largest collection of Asian art outside of Asia.  They also had a nice exhibit all about tea, including tasting a special blend formulated by the original M. Guimet.  We walked and walked and walked even though it was a bit chilly but the rain was thoughtful and held itself back.

[MooseMom]

Oh monrein, it all sounds so wonderful.  I never made it to Provence, so I loved hearing about it.

How did you decide which bits of France to visit?  And how did you choose your accomodation?  How did you find out about all of these places?  The apartment in Paris...is this the same one in which you stayed the last time?

[okarol]

  lovely, thanks

[monrein]

Oh monrein, it all sounds so wonderful.  I never made it to Provence, so I loved hearing about it.

How did you decide which bits of France to visit?  And how did you choose your accomodation?  How did you find out about all of these places?  The apartment in Paris...is this the same one in which you stayed the last time?

We use the Michelin guides, the Red book for restaurants and the Green guides for places to see and suggested routes to explore.  We've visited France many times, usually a month at a time and I lived there for two separate years.  The houses and apartments I find online, usually through Vacation Rental By Owner. We also like bed and breakfast places but I always call and chat with the owners beforehand to try and check out how they "feel".  The apartment we had this time is owned by the same people as last summer's "petite maison" but it was smaller and so a bit less expensive.   We've visited most regions in France over the years but our choices often depend on the time of year and we're partial to May and the autumn so Normandy and Brittany get short shrift although we've done them a little.  Provence is wonderful in the Fall since most tourists are gone but the weather can remain lovely as it did this year...almost summery.  The downside is that if you leave it too late many restaurants shut down until the Spring.  Early October was just about perfect.  We like going back to France because I feel so comfortable there and I spent so many years and so much effort learning (and teaching) the language that I love speaking and hearing it.  We'd been to the places we visited this year but not for as much time in each.