DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: QUATRIEME PARTIE

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: QUATRIEME PARTIE / HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART FOUR

One Hotel Room at a Time

The original goal was to get up and leave Nancy first thing in the morning. But since Nancy had stolen a piece of our hearts, we found ourselves delaying. We had breakfast at the hotel, it was a simple meal of hot chocolates, croissants, and baguettes with spreads; all in very posh, refined surrounds. Jarvis is his usual charming self, throwing food on the ground, all the while managing to look cute doing it, and flirting with all of the women. 

After breakfast we go for another walk around the Old City of Nancy, we briefly contemplate traveling into other parts of Nancy, but we are so in love with this section we decide not to. It soon starts to rain, so we stop off for a haircut for Justin. Very interesting translation of what was wanted occurred!

Back on the road with the next stop being Dijon, the capital of Burgundy. We find our way to the Liberation Square, and the Palace of Dukes of Burgundy (Palais des ducs de Bourgogne), where we sit and enjoy the surroundings; it is a beautiful sunny day so it is gorgeous to bask in the European sun. Next it is off on foot to explore the town, which is meant to be of the most beautiful cities in France. Its historic buildings and byways, which were not heavily damaged by bombing in World War Two, are largely intact so it is very interesting as far as architecture goes. 

Dijon you may claim my tummy but not my heart. (The town is known for the mustard which is still produced locally.) I don't think it helped that we got lost in Dijon and spent an hour or so wandering around trying to find our way back to the car, exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed does not lend itself to you falling in love with a place.  

.

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: TROISIÈME PARTIE

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: TROISIÈME PARTIE / HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART THREE
One Hotel Room at a Time

It was time to check out, and move on from Paris. We get up early, and head off to the train station; with a pit stop on the way for breakfast of crepes and hot chocolates. Also a stop off at a vintage jeweler to buy something for someone I love who was still in Brisbane, but never far from my mind. I found this amazing turquoise ring for Tamika, I know it will be (and was) too big for her fingers but I just love it and know that she will.

Trains, trains, oh how to describe how epic it is catching trains in Paris? How to describe what it is like catching a train in Paris with a 12kg 10 month old baby strapped to you in a baby sling?

We finally arrive at the car hire place, and they try to up-sell us to a BMW, umm no thanks even though she tries to tell us it will only be an extra 70 euro a day. I love how she used the term only. In the car Justin seems to struggle a bit, so before we even leave the car park I take over the driving. I am not great, OK so there was that very illegal u-turn, but without reading French or knowing the roads I managing to follow signs and guess our way back to the hotel. We are almost there and Justin finally sorts out the GPS.

I park willy nilly on the side of the road while Justin runs up and gets the luggage. Getting out of Paris is even crazier than our trip to the hotel, and add a screaming baby, you have our journey out of Paris. Once on the motorway it all seems easier, well easier once I pulled over in the emergency lane and feed Jarvis. Nothing like breast feeding a baby while cars zoom past doing 150klm per hour. Jarvis finally falls asleep, so it is back on the road and on our way to Nancy.

After three hours of driving I pull over into a service station, and we find ourselves in one of the weirdest servos. The attendant reminded me of Norman Bates, not a good thing in the middle of no where. We were stared at the entire time it took to eat a weird tasting baguette and drink our drinks.

Justin take over the wheel, this time he does better, but it is pretty easy to drive on the motorway which helps build up his confidence in driving in a foreign country on a different side of the road. Boredom as a passenger sets in, and I am soon taking random photos out the car window.  Finding our way into Nancy is easy with the GPS. We are staying in the best area! It is the old historic part of Nancy, simply called The Old City. Our hotel is amazing. But we dump our stuff, and quickly head out to explore before it gets too dark.

The town is gorgeous; Justin and I have fallen in love with Nancy in one afternoon’s walk. Over the last 15 years – after much restoration –, the old town of Nancy has revealed itself to be a significant asset. Justin described Paris as slightly faded and tacky, like a girl trying too hard. But Nancy as a beautiful classic woman that never goes out of style.

After wandering around, exploring and taking photos we stop for dinner, a goat's cheese fondue, very yummy. On the way back to the hotel we stop off at a patisserie, and get deserts, me a chocolate thingy. No idea as I can't read French, but so rich, but delicious. Justin had a chocolate éclair; I think the best either of us has ever tasted.

 Nancy you are a beautiful town.

Random things on the side of the road.

Thankful for a sleeping baby in long road trips.

 Gorgeous Hotel.

 With Amazing service.

 Must recommend the Goat's cheese fondue.

Could have sampled everything in this patisserie.