Dijon, France - Part Five, Flavigny and Semur-en-Auxois

Wednesday Jul 17: Heading off to a couple of monasteries and more churches, Sofia took us over one lane country roads, through rolling hills and into valleys for the first hour. She’s steered us wrong before (one way streets in the city) but usually is accurate outside the city, we wondered… We came out in the end to exactly our destination and it was a very interesting drive pretty with sunflowers and lots of Charolais cattle. 

Our destination was Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain which is where the movie Chocolat was filmed. What was more interesting was a an aniseed factory producing bonbons, and other products from aniseed in the village. Factory tours, count me in, this one was rather short but interesting despite it’s length. The company has been owned by three generations and is called les Anis de Flavigny “un bien bon bonbon”. https://www.anis-flavigny.com/venir2.html If you know me, you know I don’t eat sweets very much but these are not so sweet. The tasting area was great with large, stemmed glasses with each flavoured product available. Before going on the tour we all were handed out folded hair nets as compulsory to wear. 

We all looked a bit silly, lots of giggling going on.

On the tour we went upstairs to see the process of tumbling the sugar coated aniseed and then downstairs for a glimpse into the factory where it is packaged. We walked the village after and found the site of the chocolate shop and where the Mayor lived from the movie. Charming village but hardly anyone seems to actually live there. Lamb for lunch was home cooked and a treat, at La Grange in the village. https://www.ferme-auberge-la-grange-flavigny21.fr/

Next on to Abbaye de Fontenay, close to Montbard, which is famous for it’s age, 1118, austerity, and UNESCO status. At it’s height approximately 300 monks lived there in dorms on straw beds. Christoph said it would have been crowded and likely rather smelly. Sprawling property with many buildings and really austere is the word here but beautiful in it’s own way. 

Water wheel used for the former paper mill on site

Fountain in the garden.

The grounds are large and manicured containing herb plants and a fountain that waters the garden. www.abbayedefontenay.com

Christoph wanted to show me the village of Semur-en-Auxois so we stopped by there for a coffee for him before returning to Dijon. He needs his afternoon coffee especially while touring and driving. The village was charming, church not in as good a shape as we’ve seen others. 

In a renovated church this wouldn't happen, there was also netting inside over the pews to keep out the bird droppings.

In Dijon I’m living on Rue Buffon, as we sat in the cafe in Semur-en-Auxois I saw we were on Rue Buffon also. Buffon was a fellow at the head of mining in the area so his name is everywhere in this region.

Another great road trip with thanks to Christoph!

Cheers, Bev and Lexi who doesn't go on day trips, she'd prefer to sleep.