We just got back from a week-long vacation in France. Bistros, vintage shopping, cobblestone streets, wine, ruins, bull racing, swimming holes, medieval towns, the bread lady, castles, cemeteries, cold nights, Hagrid, butterfly fields, lemon tarts, lavender, cheese plates, markets, cooking, figs, rock climbing, language, oysters, driving, walking, running. It was incredible.
Paris & Pougnadoresse (near Uzes and Avignon)
In Paris we stayed at the Grand Hotel Mahler in the Marais district of Paris. In Pougnadoresse we stayed with our friends Johnny and Leigh in the McCullough’s house which is in a medieval village of few and backs up against a Duke’s castle. We started our day waiting for the bread lady who normally honked at 9:30 or 9:45 when we’d buy a couple baguettes and some croissants for breakfast. We’d drink coffee and maybe take a short hike to wake up. We rented a car and drove to nearby towns, attractions and lunch. We’d finish the day by coming home and cooking food from the markets and drinking the governor’s wine- rose or white. It stayed light out until 10:15 and sometimes we wouldn’t sit down for dinner until 12. We will miss it.
was probably our favorite part. There were some misses like Josh’s “sandwiches” but the rest was incredible. We drank a lot of Rose in Pougnadoresse. Leigh made some amazing meals including a rustic rosemary pasta, a vegetable tart, and a sweet tart from some apricots and the miniature plums we picked. There was an enormous fig tree in our garden which is one of Helen’s favorite foods.
The Bulls: One day soon we’ll put together a fast slideshow of these because if you move through them quickly you can really see the action unfold.
