Wow - what an amazing weekend we had! Jay's former PhD student, Ben, and his family hosted us for the weekend at their beautiful home in Dordogne near Perigueux. They made sure to give us a full French experience; including delicious home cooked meals and tours of the area. At first, the kids were worried it was going to be awkward staying with people we didn't know, but it was anything but that. Daniel and Natalie (Ben's parents) were wonderful hosts who immediately made us feel welcomed. Daniel is a retired surgeon and Natalie is a public school teacher for kids ages 9-11. We had many interesting discussions about the school system and comparing ways France and The U.S. run their school systems.
Ben speaks the most English, and worked as a translator between all of us. His girlfriend, Ann, was also with us, and they are expecting their first baby girl in May! It was so fun to hear everyone going back and forth between French and English.
It was also our first time renting a car in France! We used an app called Liigu, that lets you pick up your car by just using your phone. They sent us the location of the car on Friday morning (it was at a hotel near the airport), and Jay bussed out there to get it. Then we returned it to the same place on Monday and texted them a picture of where it was parked. Easy peasy!
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| De gouche a droite - Ben and Ann, Daniel and Natalie |
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| Daniel and Natalie's house |
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| So cozy inside! |
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| Pool isn't open quite yet |
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| Chef Natalie helping the kids make crepes |
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| gentle, gentle, careful... |
Friday - Drive to Perigueux via Gardens / Castles / Sarlat
Les Jardins Suspendus de Marqueyssac
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| Village in the cliffs near Sarlat |
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| Chateaus everywhere! |
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| Just another chateau |
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| Inside the chateau at the Jardin |
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| So many sculpted hedges! |
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| In the Jardin - kids loved using the telescopes to look into the town below - they could see people walking on the streets! |
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| Looking down on the Dordogne River |
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| Chateau at the Jardin |
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| Everywhere vista....just so beautiful! |
Chateau de Castelnaud - A Medieval Castle
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| Pheasant spotting! |
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| Approaching Castelnaud |
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| Medeavil buildings surrounding the castle |
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| Climbing up some tight stairways inside |
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| Creepy medieval weaponry |
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| Trebuchets! |
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| Looking at an enemy castle |
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| Trebuchets - pretty impressive to see in real life |
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| I decree, every soldier will fight till the end! |
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| Ready for battle |
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| Ballista - AKA giant crossbow |
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| Ballista up close and personal |
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| Finn found a new friend |
Next stop - Sarlat-La-Caneda
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| Brief stop for Happy Hour |
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| Cheers |
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| Cute plaza in Sarlat |
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| This is a nice place to relax... |
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| More cute streets and cathedral views |
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| Lots of cute and OLD buildings / alleyways |
Friday night we arrived at Natalie and Daniel's house. They greeted us with champagne and Apero treats followed by an amazing homemade dinner! The Menu: sorrel soup, duck parmentier (like shepherds pie with duck confit and potatoes), cheese course, apple tart and ice cream. We were stuffed by the end!
Saturday - we all enjoyed petit dejuneur together - brioche, juice, coffee, homemade jam and hazlenut spread.
Ben and Ann took us on a tour into the town of Perigueux. Then we drove about 30 minutes to Brantome, where there is an old abby on the river, and we ate lunch here. Last, we ended with a tour of the chocaltier Joseph's laboratory. Here we got to sample chocolatec, cookies, and watch how they mold and make fancy chocolates!
When we got back, Natalie showed the kids how to make Crepes, and we ate AGAIN! Dinner that night was grilled duck, mushroom, and pork sausages with veggies on the side and an endive salad. Cheese and fruit for dessert and more ice cream!
Perigueux:
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| Perigueux |
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| Another cathedral |
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| Saturday Market |
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| Cute French Streets |
Brantome
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| Homes built in cliffs |
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| Small, cute town on the river |
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| The Abby |
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This reminded me of the Sound of Music when they're hiding out at the end
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| Abby |
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| Walking to lunch |
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| My girl! |
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| Cozy lunch spot |
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| These trees are everywhere we go in Southern France (including Toulouse); I remember seeing them in San Sebastian - will be interested to see what happens when they start to bloom! |
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| The actual chocolatier |
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| In the chocolate factory/lab |
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| Delicious cookies hot out of the oven for sampling |
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This little girl was chosen to help scrape the cooled chocolate into balls
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| Getting ready for Easter - we go to see the step by step process to make these |
Sunday-on to Bordeaux
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| Approaching the city |
Les Halles de Bacalan - a very lively food hall that had an Irish band playing. Too many great options to choose from for food, but we landed on Spanish tapas and pinxtos.
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| Live music in the food hall |
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| Pinxtos! |
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| Yummmmmmm |
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| Perfect weather to enjoy our lunch outside |
City of Wine Museum - This place was surprisingly interesting and interactive. The kids enjoyed it more than we thought they would. You can walk around at your own pace with an audio guide and choose which exhibits you go to once inside. It was a nice combination of information and hands on activities. At the end, you go up to the top floor for a free glass of wine, or grape juice, where you can walk outside and catch a nice view of the city!
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| City of Wine Museum |
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| Looking down on the food hall where we ate lunch |
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| Old submarine base from WWII |
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| Cheers! |
Walking back to the Airbnb along the river - the weather was perfect and the kids got their wish to stop at the carnival. They did the swings and this other ride that was a little too wild Finn. There may have been some lots of tears and screaming from Finn.
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| Nothing they couldn't handle... |
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| ...but then there was this! |
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| Walking from City of Wine back to the Airbnb |
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