Friday, August 2, 2013

2013-7-12 Beaune and Abbey Fontenay

Today we are on our way to Beaune France,but we make one stop along the way.This stop was at Abbey Fontenay,one of the oldest abbeys in France.It was founded by St. Bernard in 1118.That's a long time ago.The church is very plain,they didn't want the monks to be distracted by their prayers.Their daily rations were a loaf of bread and a quarter liter of wine.Everything was here that they needed.It was a prosperous abbey in that they had the 1st metal working plant.They would forge tools and sell them for profit.

We left the Abbey and headed for Beaune (the wine country). When we got to Beaune we found the parking area for campers and it's all free.All it is a parking lot per say but that nite there were 22 rvs.Beaune is a very busy little town with lots of tourists but we  enjoyed it anyway.First off it was a very short walk to town and to the Hotel Dieu. The Hotel Dieu was not a hotel but a hospital for the poor.It was established in 1446 and closed in 1971.The Chancellor of Burgandy wanted to do something for the people.The exterior roof of the courtyard had a colorful glazed tile.It is beautiful.The paupers ward was the grandest for the poorest.Every patient deserved dignity and had a pewter jug,mug,plate,and bowl.The smaller St. Huge ward was for the wealthy that could pay for their services.Everything was there,kitchen,surgery,pharmacy,maternity and church.Every patient received the best services weather poor or rich.This is a must see if you get to Beaune France. Our next stop was to go to one of the cavas.We decided to to try Patriache Peret Fils. When we arrived we paid our tasting fee and off we went to the cellars.When we got to the tasting area the lady told us to start with the 3 whites then move on to the reds.We were down in the caves and there was a barrel with a candle and a bottle of wine sitting there for you to taste.She left and we proceeded to taste.After 3 whites and 9 reds I was a little tipsy.We bought a couple of bottles and went on to have lunch.Very nice indeed.When we got ready to leave Beaune the shift lever broke again and Sam had to find a longer bolt.He got it fixed and we're off to Paris.

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