Back in France

Well, here we are again, back on another French adventure! I guess the best way to start is with an overview of this year's journeys.
Friday May 28 arrive Paris staying in Fagnieres (Chalons-en-Champagne)
Saturday May 29, Sunday May 30 Obernai – Hotel de la Cloche
Monday May 31, Tuesday June 1 Nuits St-Georges – Chateau de la Berchere
Wednesday June 2 Lyon – Hotel Roosevelt
Thursday June 3, Friday June 4 Cairanne – chez Pigeons
Saturday June 5 – 12 Saint Vincent de Cosse – Les Hortensias
Saturday June 12 – 26 St. Chinian – Aurelie
Saturday June 26 Nevers – Best Western De Diane
Sunday June 27 Roissy-en-France – Millennium Hotel Paris Charles de Gaulle
Monday Jun28 AC881 11:20 to Toronto landing 13:10

So, after a brief thunderstorm delay in Toronto, we had an unevenful flight, landing in Paris at 10:20. We collected luggage and got connected to the Open Europe Peugeot people, loaded up our new little 207 wagon and were off. We were relying on Emily our GPS for directions and other than periodically loosing the satellite, we found our way in a little under 2 hours to Chalons en Champagne. We previously knew nothing about this town, but decided since it was close to Epernay and not too far from the airport that it would be a good first night spot. Anyway, with a name like that, how could we go wrong?

We were pleasantly suprised when we got to hotel. The Bristol, in a burb of Chalons, was cheap and yet nicely appointed and the lady at the desk was extremely helpful with directions and advice. We did our regular afternoon of arrival crash for a couple hours and then we were off.


Clearly, the first order of business was getting some champagne and having done that and sticking it in the hotel kitchen's fridge for chilling, we headed off to explore Chalons. This was not the original plan, as we thought we'd spend some time in Epernay, but the hotel lady convinced us that a quick exploration of Chalons would not go unrewarded. We also got some good tips for dining this evening, which we took and thoroughly enjoyed.
The old town is very picturesque with many rivers and bridges coursing its core. We found the architecture a little different from other areas in France, which once again ampified the regional uniqueness of each part of France.


Dinner tonight at the brasserrie la Bourse, was a 3 course prix fixe that totally satisfied our desires. We, of course, started with a glass of champagne and Dawn had a gemicht (sp?) salad (assorted cruditees) and I had a pate compagne. Then, Dawn had a succulent pave of salmon and I a turkey scallop, both with those old French stand-by hard to resist sauces consisting of butter and cream. Can't beat it!

For dessert, we both had the house Ile flottante. We now knew without a doubt that we were back in France.
We got back to hotel before dark and as I pecked this out, Dawn crashed after another sip of the local nectar. And, once again - Vive la France and La Vie est Belle!