Champagne Region, Paris

By the title of this blog post, you can tell that we have been on the go, again. Champagne region a couple of weeks ago and three days in Paris.

We only scratched the surface discovering the champagne region in our two days there. And we learned a thing or two about buying champagne-they want you to buy alot, not just a bottle or two which has been our M-O.

One tasting we had with an older madam was unforgettable, if you can picture this. We knocked on a champagne house door and ask for several tastings. We are invited in and seated while the madam is standing over us-hands on her hips, looking down on us through her thick eye glasses, pouring samples of champagne, no smiles of course. We had two tastings and then she almost demanded (in French) that we buy 24 bottles (a case each) since she opened two for tasting, still no smiles or even a slight, slight upturned mouth, it wasn't in the cards.

George looks at me with a puzzled look. I didn't know exactly what she said, we still don't know French very well, but we are getting there. I think I deciphered that we must buy 24 bottles, I relay that to George. He looks at her, then me. I can see WHAT, written all over his face. We're talking 25-30 euros per bottle. We slowly rise from our chairs and follow madam to the counter. George reached deep down (no, not in his pockets), deep down in the hollows of his patience and "negotiates" with her to buy six, not 24. Me, I'm on the sidelines watching this whole thing hoping that it ends soon and we can get the H-E-double hockey stick (as my brother Jim would say) out of there.

We could have just walked out and been "the rude Americans," we bought 6 reluctantly, but it was very clear that she was displeased with us from start to finish.

On the other hand we had a wonderful experience on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, the capital of the champagne region.

On this prestigious Avenue are the leading champagne manufacturers housed in nineteenth century mansions behind ornate iron gates, perfectly manicured scrubs/flowers, and immaculately clean sidewalks. It is quite obvious there is money floating in the bubbly or there's gold in them-there-hills! The Tour de France went through Epernay on July 6th.

The surrounding fields beyond the vineyards have wheat, potatoes in blossom, and unidentified crops. There was a large field of these blue flowers.

If anyone can identify this flower, I would be grateful to know what it is. It is fragrant, so I'm wondering if it is used for perfume making.

In Paris I visited the Auguste Rodin Museum. Rodin donated his collection of art including drawings, photographs, prints, sculptures, buildings, and gardens to the French State in 1916. I learned a little bit more about him during my visit, but for those of you who do not know Rodin, he is most famous for  his sculptures titled The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.

The Thinker

The Gates of Hell

I found this sculpture interesting in that all three figures are identical but are turned at a different angles. A smaller version of this is also at the top of The Gates of Hell.

The Three Shades

Lastly, my American friend in Paris, Mary Kay, suggested that I take the tour of the Garnier Opera and it was a great idea. If I had to use one word to describe the Opera is would be opulence beyond compare! Okay that's three words, but it is magnificent. I would put it on a "must see" list for Paris.

The Opera, by orders from Napoleon III, was completed in 1875 after 15 years of construction. Charles Garnier was a young, unknown architect who was chosen from a competition to build it.

I, unfortunately did not take photos of the outside of the Opera, and I don't think my own photos turned out that great, but you can take a virtual tour by following this link.
http://www.operadeparis.fr/en/L_Opera/Palais_Garnier/visite_virtuelle.php

And by following this link you can see more photos of our travels.
http://flic.kr/ps/285kjt

Tour de France

Yep, we were there. Stages 7 & 8 were about 2 hours from our home and it is a race that we always said we'd enjoy seeing in person, and seize the opportunity-we did. Not exactly sure what we were getting ourselves into as we left the house on Saturday morning. Not sure where to go for the best view, how early to get there. Sitting...waiting for hours for a 10 second glimpse as the riders fly by, sounds a little crazy, huh.

But I can tell you one thing-this race is A BIG DEAL! Five helicopters in chase, luxury buses (the kind rock stars use) for the riders, and at the finish, a quarter mile of grandstands, and not one, but two jumbo-tron televisions.

I can only imagine the multi-millions spent by sponsors for give-aways, signage, and their elaborately embellished caravan of vehicles, not counting the behind the scene expenses. This caravan travels the entire race route.

I never heard of Sammy 1, now there's Sammy 2. Does anyone know this movie?

Before the race along the course, spectators were setting up their spaces. Barbecues, chairs, tables, dining tents, RV's parked, TV's outside-very similar to what we know as tailgating. We did come a little prepared and had our own food and beverages. So before Saturday's race we took a short hike and were awarded a spectacular view.

Le Thillot, France

Le Thillot, France

near Le Thillot, France

The larger towns along the route decorated with various depictions of bicycles, some very creative, some not so, as in this photo. I unfortunately only have this photo to show which doesn't give the others justice. You will have to trust me on this one.

Belonchamp, France

By Sunday we were no longer rookies. The finish line for Stage 8 was in Porrentruy, Switzerland and we set our GPS for Porrentruy or bust! In this town, beverage stands were set up, bands were playing, shops normally not open on Sunday were open. There was more excitement in the air!

Here are some photos of both days following the Tour de France.

http://flic.kr/ps/285kjt