Dijon

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Quite a cultural shock to be back in a 1st World country after the medinas of Morocco!Yet, here we are staying in a 17th Century stable that has been converted into a funky little apartment. As in Morocco, we have to duck under large beams and low lintels; step up or down over uneven floors. It is a treat to have full amenities: kitchen, TV, WIFI, bathroom with bath tub, even a washing machine. We've had fun going to local markets and buying food and wine to make our own meals. We're right in the old centre of Dijon, so we have parked the rented car and walk everywhere. 3 churches are within a 5-minute walk. Between 1100's and late 1300's there was an incredible amount of church building going on. It seems to me that the large Gothic churches took about 100 years to build. Even by today's standards they are awe-inspiring. Right near Dijon's cathedral is the Musee des Beaux arts which houses works from ancient Egypt right up to the 20th century. I enjoyed the building as much as the works. It is a classic- the museum opened in 1784 (before the French Revolution!). I was introduced to the sculptures of Francois Rude who was born in Dijon. Some of his work is in the Louvre, but did you know that he designed the friezes for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris? I had read about climbing the tour in the nearby Palais des Ducs, but when I inquired, I found out that it is a climb of several hundred steps (9 storeys) with a guide and it costs several Euros. Maybe it's worth the panoramic view, but we declined.After lunch and a nap, we drove south along the Routes des Grands Crus, passing through wine reknowned places like Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot (where we had stayed in 2005--one of our favourite stays); as far as Nuits St Georges. Stopped at Gevrey Chambertin to taste some reds. Nice, but too young to drink yet. Wines were from 2007-2009 at €9-€46 a bottle. After returning to Dijon, we finished the evening eith dinner at a bistrot in the bustling area around Les Halles.

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