Route des Grands Crus North

North of Beaune the grape harvest begins.

In this region grapes are picked by hand and loaded into carts.

A castle with a moat plus jet fighters.

The owner is a collector of cars, planes, fire engines, tractors, 

motorcycles and also has wine for sale.

Local cafe called Le Bar a Vins where we had lunch.

...and made a friend.

Route des Grands Crus South to La Rochepot Castle

From Beaune we drove the Vineyard Loop south to La Rochepot Castle.

Vineyards ripe with grapes ready for harvest.  Each vineyard is divided by stone walls to show ownership.

Each plot usually has a grand entrance with family plaque. 

Small processing area next to field.

Juice pumped into transport truck for delivery to main wine facility.

Leftover stems and debris went into the green container.

The village of Puligny-Montrachet has a nice tribute statue to grape pickers.

Outside St. Romain we spied a field of stacked oak strips next to this manufacturing plant.

This facility is the Burgundy region's important wine barrel maker.  

The oak wood strips are heated and seasoned with burning oak chips.

A metal clamp compresses the end for installation of metal bands

The worker positions the metal strips with a hammer.

La Rochepot castle was started at the end of the Middle ages and finished during the Renaissance when castles were changed from defense to luxury homes.

Beaune France in the Burgundy Region

From Provence we headed to the Burgundy Region.  We traveled on the toll road which runs north-south in the middle of France.

This RV'r is taking the grape vine root home instead of the wine bottle.

This motorhome has a garage in the rear for their smart car.  The RV's are getting longer and larger in Europe.

How often do you see a long haul truck from Portugal?

Our home base in Beaune is Hotel La Villa Fleurie is run by Madame Chartier.  We have a short walk to old town center.

The breakfast room.

The walled city has a grand entrance Porte St. Nicolas.

This is one of the better views of the ramparts with a grass moat area.

Happy deco on a building.

Saturday night live entertainment.

Families enjoying an early Saturday evening.

Carnot Plaza Park near the downtown action.

 Some nice antique autos driven to town on the weekend.

Maybe 1940's Citroen.  We have seen several around town.

Popular store for the ladies.

Along with many wine tasting shops, Hotel Dieu is a major tourist attraction.

This place was built in 1493 and is not a hotel but a 

hospice hospital for the terminally ill.

He was a Chancellor of Burgundy and felt he had to do something for his people so he built this place.

The ward had 30 beds with 2 patients to a bed in the paupers' section.

Beds line each side of the main hall facing the chapel alter.

Nuns cared for the patients.

During Church services the curtain was open so all patients could participate.

The hospital closed in 1971 and is now a museum. 

 Be thankful for modern medicine.

Farewell to Isle sur la Sorgue Provence

In Provence and especially Isle sur la Sorgue we had an enjoyable 10 day visit.

The 600 year old market was quaint with good atmosphere. 

The live yarn spinning demonstration was popular.

The canals gave a sense of peace and quiet.  

The 14 waterwheels were unique. 

The flat bottom "nego-chin" boats used by fishermen were a touch of tradition.

The B&B family home has a 200 year old history.

The breakfast room & lounge had a feel of a medieval hall.

Our apartment was separated from the house.  We enjoyed the deck.

Happy hours outside came with a view.

The Aubert family made special breakfast treats.  Homemade tarts with fresh fruit picked from their yard.  

We met several special new friends from France and Belgium including our gracious hosts and their adult children.