Our time in France was wet, cold and cloudy! We have spent just over 3 weeks here and it has rained almost every day. Even when it was not raining, the sun hid itself and the dreariness has taken its toll on us.
The rain we have experienced is a bit unprecedented. The rivers are flooding all over and we would later learn that this is the second highest water-level record, only surpassed in 1910! Even the Lourve in Paris was closed (after we left) at one point due to water damage forcing them to move pieces from the basement to prevent damage. So aside from our antsyness to enjoy good weather during our 3 weeks in France, we feel bad complaining about our temporary slow down when the reality was that many lives were truly impacted by the flooding.
The Louire Valley was a like a ghost town with many businesses either closed or barely open. Most shops are closed on Sundays and Mondays, and on the days when they are open, they close from 2-4. We are not sure if this was a seasonal situation or if life there is really that sleepy. It often made finding food (whether groceries or restaurants) difficult and on more than one occasion we were forced to dine on leftover crackers and salami. When we did have the chance to go out to eat, we noticed on several occasions that the French are fast decision makers and were impatient with us as we tried to decipher the menu and decide who wanted what and how much to order. Another food-related aspect of France that surprised us was that there were not nearly as many creperies as we'd expected. However, the bread, without a doubt, is the best in the world. Our other food highlights were the Laudete macarons, which simply melt in your mouth, the brilat trufle cheese, and the butter.
Another more real-time tidbit that we would learn a few weeks after leaving is that somehow Dad got three traffic violations while driving. Three charges hit our credit card and after inquiring to Hertz what they were about, we learned that apparently in France the police don't even have to pull you over to address an issue. Instead, they just write down your plate and send you the ticket. Being a rental car, Hertz charged $20 just to process the inquiry and we are still awaiting the details of whatever traffic laws were violated as well as whatever the fine will be!
The rain we have experienced is a bit unprecedented. The rivers are flooding all over and we would later learn that this is the second highest water-level record, only surpassed in 1910! Even the Lourve in Paris was closed (after we left) at one point due to water damage forcing them to move pieces from the basement to prevent damage. So aside from our antsyness to enjoy good weather during our 3 weeks in France, we feel bad complaining about our temporary slow down when the reality was that many lives were truly impacted by the flooding.
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Flooded soccer complex
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Another more real-time tidbit that we would learn a few weeks after leaving is that somehow Dad got three traffic violations while driving. Three charges hit our credit card and after inquiring to Hertz what they were about, we learned that apparently in France the police don't even have to pull you over to address an issue. Instead, they just write down your plate and send you the ticket. Being a rental car, Hertz charged $20 just to process the inquiry and we are still awaiting the details of whatever traffic laws were violated as well as whatever the fine will be!
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| G sporting the French beret |
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| Sign on gate to our cottage |
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| Flooding in the French countryside |
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| Beautiful Loire Valley |
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| Village of Loches |
OUR FAVORITE CHATEAUS:
Dad: Chateau de Chenonceau (Ladies Chateau)
Mom: Chateau de Chenonceau (Ladies Chateau)
C: Montresor's trophy rooms & Chateau de Chenonceau (Ladies Chateau)
CB: Montresor because it was a manageable size, not crazy big, not a lot of people in it & it didn't look restored but more original
G: Chateau de Chenonceau (Ladies Chateau)
OUR FAVORITE FRENCH FOODS:
Dad: French baguettes
Mom: Macarons & brillat trufle cheese
C: Meats, cheese & bread (but not intestine)
CB: Chouquettes
G: Butter, baguettes, chouquettes, the cheese & Foodie Tour overall
S: Crepes
So sorry about the bad weather it's very unusual. I should have warned you about the food in that region as the specialty is not so appetizing except for rillons and it can be hard to find a restaurant in some towns. But the real specialty besides the castles is the amazing wines and free wine tasting in the caves where they produce it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with S & C on the favorite foods :)
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