May 5, 2012 Last week of France

The morning would start bright and early so we could start the drive to Paris and say goodbye to new and old friends.  Bev, Bob, Mike and Beth all headed to Paris Nord to continue on to Belgium, Gail and Jim stayed in Paris one more night and Bob and I rented a car to head to Beaune to sample some more fabulous wines.  Our first stop  was a gas station and as we ordering a sandwich our driver Glen ran into us also getting a sandwich for his trip back to the boat it sure is a small world.  We stayed overnight  in Nuits St. Georges a small town not far from the larger city of Beaune.  The B & B we stayed in is called Domaine Comtesse M de Loisy this is a real culture shock after being on a luxury boat for 6 days.  Words cannot describe this place, it was built in 1860 and the character and structure is of that age.  Entering from the street you are not sure exactly what is behind the big green doors, upon entering you are surrounded by a beautiful courtyard with lush plants.  The main floor has high ceilings and a fireplace in every room, the back part of the house is a complete atrium with plants and grottos.  The owner is a charming french woman named Francoise who shows us to our room on the second floor.  The decor is still much like the 1800's and so nicely done. This place is a must see.  Francoise recommends a great restaurant down the street where we dine on Coq lo Vin (spelling?) and sauteed veal, this is by far the least amount of food we have consumed in the last weeks, and excellent.  On our walk back we stop at a local bar for a night cap before ending this great day.