If you’ve been following my stories on IG or FB, you know I was in France for 2 weeks with Galavant Travels and my french possé. I have been struggling to get back in the saddle with the blog and get caught up. (We’ll save that post for later.)

Boy did we have a grand time - we ate and drank our way through the countryside, we enjoyed the most gorgeous scenery, and the most incredible cathedrals, learning as we went with our wonderful guides. I now know how champagne is made and stored, the difference in Grand Crus and Premier Crus wine vintages, and the history and culture of several cities and villages in France.

Wander along with me and explore France in my first of three posts. There’s SO MUCH TO SHARE! 🍇

(You can click on most images to enlarge.)

Our first stop was overnight in Chantilly. It is outside of Paris, not far from the airport and is the home of the Chateau de Chantilly and the birthplace of whipped cream. The lovely village is nearby and the huge property has a chateau, gardens, a small historic timber framed hamlet and magnificent stables. We stayed in the beautiful Auberge de Jeu de Paume.

Auberge de Jeu de Paume

Our beautiful room

The Village of Chantilly

The Chateau de Chantilly

the stables

The little hamlet where we had hot chocolate with chantilly cream is said to have served as the inspiration for the Petite Trianon for Marie Antoinette at Versailles.

Our next stop was the town of Chablis, where we had lunch in a winery and then off to the city of Auxerre, where we had a walking tour and a glorious afternoon. Auxerre is home to a gorgeous cathedral and wonderful ancient buildings. It is on the picturesque Yonne River.

We ended the day in beautiful Beaune, where we checked into the Hotel Le Cep. Cozy, quaint, and the epitome of European hospitality.

winery view

My new favorite

the cathedral in auxerre

Hotel Le Cep

Views from our hotel

theo, our favorite bartender & bellman

We visited the beautiful city of Dijon, and then toured Beaune. Dijon is known as the “City of Dukes”, and was the capitol of the medieval duchy of Burgundy. It boasts beautiful palaces, mansions and churches.

We toured the amazing Hotel Dieu in Beaune. It is known for its’ amazing architecture and traditional roofing and dates to the 1400’s, when it was opened as the first hospital for the poor. We had escargot and beef bourguignon. And it was good.

it boggles the mind that this was done by hand centuries ago…

The Burgundy Babes | The Palais des Ducs | dijon

Hotel Dieu in Beaune

Burgundy Babes | another amazing meal

We traveled the Route Des Grand Crus and had a wine tasting at the gorgeous Chateau de Pommard. We saw the famous Clos De Vougeot chateau in the heart of Burgundy wine country. It was built by monks in the 12th century and added to in the 16th. It is surrounded by walled working vineyards. Beautiful.

Me & My Buddy Kris - after an aperol spritz or three…

Tune in tomorrow for a splash of champagne and more french fun - oh la la…