On to Wine Country

July 10, 2008

After two nights relaxing under the Alps and breathing pure unadulterated air, we headed for France. On our way, we made a last stop in Switzerland to change our Swiss money into Euro. Our first stop in France was in Beaune or Burgundy synonymous with superior wine, fine cuisine, beautiful vineyards, and sunflower fields. We were now in "Bonjour Country."

We spent the night at Hotel des Remparts located along the old medieval wall. Our room had a connecting room, which no one occupied. It had a fireplace and a dark wooden floor. It had two bathrooms with nicely tiled bath and stainless steel accessories. The hotel, although simple, looked so European.

We had a walking orientation of the town, went to Hotel Dieu that used to be a charity hospital for the poor, built by Nicholas Rolin, Chancellor of Burgundy, in 1445. It is now a museum and some units had been converted into apartments for the old retired people. It now bears the name Hospices de Beaune, Musee de L'hotel Dieu.

We went to Hotel National des Invalides, comparable to our Veteran's Home but with Europeanarchitectural style. This is also a museum now.

Since we were in wine country, it was but fitting that we'd have wine. We had wine tasting at a cave, an underground cellar. We had a mixture of currant liquor called Crème de Cassis and white wine. The taste was excellent.

our tasting cups

The stay was short but noteworthy.