A Vacation in France
Tara Posted on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7:18AM I had wanted to go to France for as long as I can remember. In early April we decided to stop waiting and just make it happen. So we booked 5 nights at a charming little cottage next to a castle in Beynac-et-Cazenac and 3 nights in Paris for late September.
France was magical... as I knew it would be. I am so thankful to have had this travel experience. Here are a few of the things that caught my eye in France and a few random thoughts about our most lovely little holiday...
How we spent a majority of our time in Paris: Walking!
How we spent a majority of our time in the countryside: Tie between sitting in cafes and driving
Favorite village visited in French countryside: Saint Cirq-LaPopie
Most unexpected place I fell in love with: Bourdoux
Favorite dinner out: Bar LaPopie in Saint Cirq-LaPopie (I am still dreaming about that vine covered patio and citron tart)
Favorite dinner in: the night Dan made Coq au Vin
Favorite meal in Paris: Le Saint Severin - a cozy, charming place we ducked into to escape the rain with a three course lunch complete with wine
Number of villages & cities visited: approximately 15
Favorite garden/park in Paris: Jardin des Tuileries but it was a pretty close call with the garden in Place des Vosges
Favorite cafe: Novelty Bar in Perigueux
Favorite macaron: Pistache from Dalloyau Faubourg Saint Honore
Favorite thing ordered from a Boulangerie: Panne au chocolate (but of course)
Favorite shopping/attraction: the market in Sarlat
Favorite joke while traveling: Maybe we will pencil in a visit with Johnny Depp tomorrow...
Discovered: an absolute love for crepes nutella
Biggest surprise of trip: How freakin steep the path and roads were at the house rented in Beynac. Running was a wee bit different from our runs in Chicago.
Absolute favorite quote from Dan: "I could totally be French." Said while we were incredibly content at dinner in Saint Cirq-LaPopie and a total surprise that still makes me happy as I would be the admirer of France that pushed for this to be our first European vacation... now if someone over there wanted to hire me I wouldn't say no.
Language barrier: For the most part we were able to get by with our minimal French and a handy-dandy phrase book. In the countryside most of the people we encountered did not speak English, they were more than happy to work through our broken French. It was fun to be challenged and truly out of our comfort zone.
Rude or pleasant: We found the French people to be more than welcoming and pleasant. We truly did not have one encounter where I found the person to be rude. (This is the most common question about our trip!)
I am even more in love with France now and so want to go back. I would love to spend more time in the areas that we visited along with other regions of the country. Whenever I travel somewhere new I like to think about if I could see myself living there... Both Dan and I would move to France in a heartbeat (if the dogs could go along).
Reader Comments (5)
Gorgeous pictures - looks like an amazing trip! Did you stay at La Maisonette? (Stephmodo's house) It looks fabulous. One of these days I'll make it back to France. In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through others.
I've been waiting for this recap! Your photos are beautiful and so very "French." I've only spent one long weekend in Paris a few years ago and have been itching to return. Such a romantic country.
Thank you!
Mary, We did stay at La Maisonette! It is very charming :)
Emily, You are so right- it is effortlessly romantic!
beautiful photos! I would love to explore the French countryside, it looks amazing!
I went to Paris for a week in July. It was my second time there and I do love it (especially speaking French; I'm a language nerd) but not sure I'd want to go in the summer again - it was extremely hot and crowded with tourists. September sounds like the perfect time for a trip.
Your photos are so beautiful and peaceful. Long wine lunches are the best part of European vacations!