Learning about Cassis and town of Nuits Saint George

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We headed for Nuits Saint George but before getting there we visited the Cassisium which is a factory making liquors and syrups from the cassis berry and other berries, entry fee is 9,50 per person. First we had to sit through a 12 minute animated film which I didn’t like but Christoph said the information was good. Then we toured through the factory and it is enormous!

Tasting was done at the last and I didn’t want the sweetness. https://www.ot-nuits-st-georges.fr/le-cassissium/ Also https://www.cassissium.fr/fr/billetterie/

Well painted van outside

Into Nuits Saint George for lunch at an Italian restaurant Christoph recommended called I Bravi Ragazzi, but had an aperitif while waiting of kir. Lunch was excellent and the service staff friendly and helpful, you really felt welcomed there. One even walked me down the long hallway to the toilette (french for WC).

There is a book about Burgundy wines in the flat that I have been reading about the different regions of wines and wineries from big to small. I had written down one that looked good in the town but it was closed so we walked half a block to another, they are thick on the ground here. It is a very small one, proprietor wasn’t in but he had a fellow to man the shop. Winery is called Domaine Alain Maurice Gavignet https://www.domaineamgavignet.fr/

No cards taken here, hand written receipt with copy in a receipt book, how many years has it been since that happened, dare not count.

Gigantic hibiscus in Nuits Sait George

Love this fountain statue

Drove through Route des Grands Crus which is along back roads through the vineyards and very pretty villages, a cycling paradise and there are many, this is a favourite route for us, more to see and more relaxed than the highway. http://grandscrus.net/routes from Google

All for now, Cheers

The Charterhouse of Champmol and the Well Of Moses

Well of Moses, covered to preserve the statues, and they are.

Tuesday and some plans got shelved, museums are closed and the botanical garden we wanted to see was also. We flipped our plans, as we do, and went to The Charterhouse of Champmol (means swampy field) & Well of Moses on the outskirts of Dijon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champmol Now it is a hospital for psychiatric patients, in the 14th century it was the final resting place for the Dukes of Burgundy and was a Carthusian monastery. In penance Philip the Bold hired the best craftsmen from over the world to install special artworks and sculpture. Much of the works and tombs have been moved to the main Museum of Fine Arts arts in the centre of Dijon. This description is a snippet of what is really there, do go to the link to find out more, here are some pictures. The grounds of the site are magnificent in themselves with old growth trees and pathways.

Inside the structure

Inside the chapel, unusual ceiling

Grand entryway

Lunchtime and we went to Place Emile Zola at L’Emile Brochettes who required either a negative test or proof of vaccination to eat there, as do all restaurants, museums and any non-essential businesses. This ruling is the norm here and I was refused entry to the library because I had been fully vaccinated less than a week “tres desolate” the guard kept saying, but hey, I understand. There is palatable fear from some restaurant staff that if they don’t follow the rules they will be closed down by police. I don’t know how valid or possible it is but the fear is there, after all they are opening after months of closure and want to remain that way, who can blame them?

Walked around town to the Notre Dame Cathedral which is very grand, gargoyles line the roof but I read they are all fakes because a real one fell and killed a man standing underneath. I will do another post about churches here, it will be mostly pictures.

Around the corner, I'll be inserting local pictures here. This one is Place Wilson, when in the car we know we are close, around the corner from it is this lovely wall statue enhanced by the roses.

Cheers, Bev and Lexi Cat