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My last full day in France, and it happens to be the Monday that's right before a holiday - All Saints Day. Finding things that are open these last few days have been particularly difficult, since many French people have the habit of "faire le pont"... literally to make a bridge, but in essence taking a long weekend. We had that problem on our trip to Burgundy last year.
Got up this morning and was determined to go grab some breakfast at Blé Sucré. It's within walking distance from my hotel, and I was dying for some kouign amann. I had one on my trip last year and have been thinking of it ever since...
October 31, 2011
October 30, 2011
MNSC Rhone Trip Day 8: Enfin, Paris!
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Another early start to the day, as I get ready to leave Switzerland and go back to France. B very kindly made us a huge breakfast, and I joked that the spread is about half the size of the 5-star luxury hotels that I had been staying at during the past week...
After getting dropped off at Nyon, I took the local train into Gare Cornavin in Geneva, and boarded the TGV to Paris. I was wondering why it would take 3 hours for us to make the journey, then it all became clear as we snaked along the river gorge during part of the journey... Can't exactly travel at 200 km/h given this kind of terrain!
The train pulled into Gare de Lyon, and I quickly checked into Hotel Mercure Gare de Lyon - rising above one corner of the train station. I dropped my luggage quickly and ducked into the Métro below. I was already late for my lunch appointment with the Specialist and her friends.
Another early start to the day, as I get ready to leave Switzerland and go back to France. B very kindly made us a huge breakfast, and I joked that the spread is about half the size of the 5-star luxury hotels that I had been staying at during the past week...
After getting dropped off at Nyon, I took the local train into Gare Cornavin in Geneva, and boarded the TGV to Paris. I was wondering why it would take 3 hours for us to make the journey, then it all became clear as we snaked along the river gorge during part of the journey... Can't exactly travel at 200 km/h given this kind of terrain!
The train pulled into Gare de Lyon, and I quickly checked into Hotel Mercure Gare de Lyon - rising above one corner of the train station. I dropped my luggage quickly and ducked into the Métro below. I was already late for my lunch appointment with the Specialist and her friends.
October 29, 2011
MNSC Rhone Trip Day 7: 3-star detour
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I'm on the road again... After less than 24 hours in Lyon, I got up early this morning and headed for Gare Lyon Part-Dieu to catch the train to Geneva. I'm headed for one of my favorite restaurants in the world - Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville in Crissier. I was here around the same time 3 years ago, and met my friend B for the first time.
Once I arrived at Gare Cornavin in Geneva, I took a local train to Nyon. B picked me up in her black SLK... new since my last visit. My giant Rimowa barely fit in the trunk... We dropped off my luggage at her house, and Mr. B drove us all to Crissier.
It was a beautiful day around Lake Geneva - blue skies instead of gray 3 years ago. We met up with another couple who had come in from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Lunch for 5 would be a lot of fun.
I'm on the road again... After less than 24 hours in Lyon, I got up early this morning and headed for Gare Lyon Part-Dieu to catch the train to Geneva. I'm headed for one of my favorite restaurants in the world - Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville in Crissier. I was here around the same time 3 years ago, and met my friend B for the first time.
Once I arrived at Gare Cornavin in Geneva, I took a local train to Nyon. B picked me up in her black SLK... new since my last visit. My giant Rimowa barely fit in the trunk... We dropped off my luggage at her house, and Mr. B drove us all to Crissier.
It was a beautiful day around Lake Geneva - blue skies instead of gray 3 years ago. We met up with another couple who had come in from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Lunch for 5 would be a lot of fun.
October 28, 2011
MNSC Rhone Trip Day 6: Bicycling in Lyon
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The roadtrip was over and we went our separate ways this morning. A few of us took the car back to Lyon, and after a quick drop-off at Saint Exupéry Airport, the car took me to the Hilton Lyon where I would be staying the night.
Checking in was a breeze at the hotel, and soon I was able to drop my luggage in my rather spacious room. Too bad my room didn’t come with a view of either the beautiful riverside or the adjoining Parc de la Tête d’Or, but that’s what happens when you book through one of those hotel booking websites…
It’s lunchtime and I’m hungry again. I venture out of the hotel and decide to rent a bicycle from a station just outside the hotel, one of hundreds citywide. Instead of getting frustrated like I did in Paris 2 years ago, this time I found the process incredibly easy. Soon I was on the bike going down the biking/jogging path right next to the Rhône River, heading into town looking for lunch.
The roadtrip was over and we went our separate ways this morning. A few of us took the car back to Lyon, and after a quick drop-off at Saint Exupéry Airport, the car took me to the Hilton Lyon where I would be staying the night.
Checking in was a breeze at the hotel, and soon I was able to drop my luggage in my rather spacious room. Too bad my room didn’t come with a view of either the beautiful riverside or the adjoining Parc de la Tête d’Or, but that’s what happens when you book through one of those hotel booking websites…
It’s lunchtime and I’m hungry again. I venture out of the hotel and decide to rent a bicycle from a station just outside the hotel, one of hundreds citywide. Instead of getting frustrated like I did in Paris 2 years ago, this time I found the process incredibly easy. Soon I was on the bike going down the biking/jogging path right next to the Rhône River, heading into town looking for lunch.
October 27, 2011
MNSC Rhone Trip Day 5: The best of Chateauneuf
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Got an early start this morning since we had 3 appointments before lunch. First stop was at Clos Saouma, the new property from Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin of Burgundy's Lucien Le Moine. Details of the visit are here.
Our next stop is with an MNSC old friend, at Château de Beaucastel. Details of the visit are here.
Our final stop before lunch is at the legendary Domaine Henri Bonneau to meet the man himself. Details of the visit are here.
Got an early start this morning since we had 3 appointments before lunch. First stop was at Clos Saouma, the new property from Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin of Burgundy's Lucien Le Moine. Details of the visit are here.
Our next stop is with an MNSC old friend, at Château de Beaucastel. Details of the visit are here.
Our final stop before lunch is at the legendary Domaine Henri Bonneau to meet the man himself. Details of the visit are here.
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