The daily diary of a wandering restaurateur
May 1 - The Road to Versailles
Now that the sun is out, we need to show you where we have been camped out for the past several days. Chaudenay-le-Chateau is a small hilltop village dominated by the towers of a 10th century castle. Our B&B is just below the ruined right tower.
Despite the confusion of our arrival, we have been well cared-for by Claude and Daniel Touflan. Daniel is the man on the left, shown in the photo with his brother Pierre who was also around a lot. Don't let the names confuse you. Many women in France have what we Americans think of as men's names ... but believe me, there is nothing in the least bit masculine about Claude! They were wonderful hosts and we will miss them.
Margene loves Vezelay ... and what is not to like? It is a medieval walled hill town that grew to prominance because the church had a piece of a robe that allegedly belonged to Mary Magdelene. Relics were big business in those days.
Today is a French national holiday and the market in front of our hotel was jammed with vendors selling everything from food items to furniture. These public markets are still alive and well -- and weekly occurances -- in many French towns.
One of the buildings in Le Petit Hameau (the little hamlet) created by Marie Antoinette on the grounds at Versailles so she could escape from the trappings of royalty and indulge her illusion of being a country girl ... among her perfumed sheep!
© 2004 Restaurant Doctor
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