Last week we spent four rainy and one sunny day in the fairytale region of France – Burgundy. Along with our friends we packed up in two vehicles with three little ones and lots of luggage and set off at 6.30am for the village of Benoisey.
This was the view from the lovely old house we stayed in. Despite the rain (we were lucky enough to have narrowly escaped the flooding) we visited villages and towns, gardens and the Abbaye de Fontenay (coming up in my next post).
The pretty town of Semur-en-Auxois with its medieval core, built on a pink granite bluff is crumbling in places, with turrets and battered walls and is half-encircled by the River Armançon.
We played Pooh sticks with the littles as the water rushed by underneath us.
Alleyways and stone paths lined with lush green spring foliage and ancient signage on dusty buildings. The sound of school children high up in a playground above the ramparts. Bridges, hills and valleys. This town has it all.
Next, we took a few trips to the most beautiful town I have ever seen, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain. Our visits turned into an unplanned cat safari as each time we went back (hoping for a dry day) we spotted a new four-legged friend to snap with our cameras.
Shabby first flush roses were drooping under the weight of spring downpours and all the houses and gardens were tangled visions of beauty.
Pale and peeling the blue-grey paint on doors, shutters and windows was another highlight.
Peach and blush pink hues were snapped up everywhere we went too, in the form of more roses, tins of traditional sweets, doors and locally made wine.
We also found new fascination with alpine, sedum and fern plants that were springing out from every crack and layer of the walls and roofs.
Every house was my dream house, all old and some crumbling and barely inhabitable and each one dressed for a flower festival in their finest blooms.
Secret gardens around every corner, behind old gates and tall walls, from tiny yards to epic gravel terraces of irises – I was a little overwhelmed with all the inspiration and beauty I saw.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, I should be back tomorrow with another post and more places to visit if you decide to hit the road and head for wine country.
