Day 9: Time to Relax in Burgundy


Today was a travel day and provided some downtime to relax, do laundry, and learn to drive in France. Forget everything you think you know about driving if you choose to do it here. There are rotaries everywhere and very few stop signs, always yield to traffic coming from the right or those on the rotary, and traffic lights are at eye level on the curb rather than above the street. On more than one occasion I have found it necessary to back up so I could see the traffic light.

We left Paris Gare de Lyon on time for a one-hour and thirty-six-minute trip to Dijon. We picked up the rental car without a hassle and no pressure to buy the added insurance, which my credit card covers. We then enjoyed lunch near the hotel at Court Paillette, which is a French chain that cooks the food on an open grill in view of the diners. Lunch consisted of burgers for Grace and me, while Kate had a Croque Monsieur that was out of this world! The food was so good, we went back for dinner! I chose the Boeuf Marinee prix fixe menu, which included a glass of wine and dessert for 15 Euros, less the 15% discount we received as hotel guests. Grace had the Croque Monsieur and Kate had the Poulet de Roti (chicken breast w/ pomme de terre). Dessert was gateau chocolat with a creamy custard sauce for me and Glace Vanille for Grace. She said American ice cream would never be the same again. 

After dinner, we went for a swim in the pool, enjoyed a bottle of Bourgogne wine, and settled in for the evening. Tomorrow, Beaune and the vineyards of Burgundy!

Au Revoir,


Rob
 

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