Wow - another amazing village.

Monday 2nd June

Our last day here in Pont de Beauvoisin and we aimed for a relaxing day. Monday was market day so we wandered down to the market. Very small market, a couple of fruit and veg stalls, couple of clothes stalls, one cheese place, and a place for eggs - and chooks if you wanted to grow your own. It surprises us that you can buy eggs at these stalls by the single egg - don't know if that is possible at home. 

Morning tea at the local bakery where the owner speaks quite good English and is keen for a chat with us. A few groceries for the next few days, then the plan was pizza at the place attached to the supermarket - but he must have slept in as he didn't open in time for us. Never mind! I have more front than Myers and went back to the place that wouldn't serve us one pizza to share the other day, and bought one to take away. Of course, when we came back past the other place, he was open. Murphy's law. 

A brief bit about our language skills. I seem to be managing to make conversation when needed. If I can't think of the words, then I think of another way to say what I want. We had what I thought of as a really funny word the other day. Rob was trying to tell someone that on a previous trip we had been to Annecy. So he used the word 'previousment' - I don't think so I said. I guess he had part of the word right eg lentement (slowly), rapidement (quickly), simplement (simply), doucement (softly), etc. I'm still laughing every time I hear another word ending -ment. BTW it is precedement. 

Tuesday 3rd June 

Time to move on - closer to the mountains. We had a full day to fill before we were due at our apartment in Grenoble so decided to go via the beautiful village of Saint-Antoine l'Abbaye. Well, first sight of this village was just WOW! We came around a corner, and there was the abbey in front of us. Finding our way in to the parking area was interesting - we figured if we followed that bus, he knew where he was going. Well, he probably did, but it wasn't where we wanted to go. So with a bit of help from Dora (who wasn't up on one way streets) we found the free car park. Picked up the village map at the office de tourisme and started to walk. This village and abbey was amazing. After a few ho hum villages, out faith in our books was restored. 

The beautiful tiled roof of the church.
This sort of roof tiling seems to be more popular in this part of France.

The old wooden gates in one of the original entrances to the village.
This was originally set up as a Benedictine abbey and is said to contain the purported relics of Anthony the Great from the 11th century.

Dog of the day.

There was some beautiful stained glass in the church.

Another magnificent church organ.

Have a look at this roof tiling - wonder if it leaks.

This was a small grouping of how they built their homes close together (15th century)
- separated by narrow pathways. 

The church is undergoing restoration - they have done most of the archway on the left,
but still have a huge job to do with the rest of the church.

Old wooden doorway at the top of flight of stairs leading into the abbey.

These are original frescoes in the church, from around 1200s.

One of the goulets (half covered narrow lanes) linking the houses.

This was the WOW view of the abbey as we came around a corner into the village.

The front door area has been mostly restored.

Onwards to Grenoble with a stop for a late, long, leisurely lunch about 1/2 hour from our accommodation. 

Lunch - boeuf bourguignon. Had to check it didn't have mushrooms -
I make mine at home with mushrooms.

Heading into the mountains - rocky, craggy peaks everywhere.
Some snow, but Grenoble is not at a great elevation.

This is the first accommodation that hasn't been as advertised - entire unit on ground floor and wheelchair accessible! Not so! We will manage but thankfully the bathroom is on the same level as the bedroom.

Wheels and water

Sunday 1st June 

Our first visit for the day was to l'Abbaye d'Hautecombe. We aimed to be there at 10 am when it opened so we would have plenty of time to see the abbey and be at our next destination in plenty of time. We were there pretty much right on time and were able to park only 5 cars from the entrance (next to the car with the howling puppy - You left me in the car Dad!). As we walked in the gate, the cars were rolling in behind us.

Lac de Bourget - was a hazy day so not a fantastic photo.

This abbey is in a spectacular location, right on the shore of Lac de Bourget which is a beautiful blue green colour. The abbey dates back to 1125 and was a Cistercian abbey. For many centuries the counts and dukes of Savoy were buried here. One story that took my fancy was one lady buried here gave birth to 4 daughters (in the 1200s), and each one became a queen - one in France, one in England, one in Germany and one in Sicily (not all by fair means, some political dealings, and bribes). The inside of the abbey is no longer plain and simple as cistercians would have it, but was extensively renovated and decorated during the 18th century. Over 300 amazing statues and many frescoes - so much to look at and absorb. Just beautiful! It is still in use as an abbey with 30 monks and nuns and 50 or so young people training in the catholic faith. 

Entrance to the abbey.

Beautiful Gothic ceilings.

This statue is carved out of one piece of marble
and took 8 years to complete. It was so detailed.
The lady is wearing a silk gown with very detailed lace work,
the artist is wearing a linen smock
and the beggar boy on the far side is dressed in rags.
It is an amazing piece of work. 

Just one of the many frescoes - mostly on the ceilings.

The stained glass was beautiful
and different from many others we have seen.

The organ.

More of the stained-glass. 

We headed next to Chanaz, a further 10k along the Lac de Bourget. That was an interesting drive. There was a push bikes race happening on the same road as the cars. Plenty of flag marshals about but the pushbikes were giving us a run for our money, catching and passing  many cars. When we arrived in Chanaz there was a traffic hold up - a motorbike race through the town. The road was only to be closed for another 10 minutes so we waited - and someone took photos. 

We picked a good day for our outing to Chanaz. Lots of bikes - and side cars.
This was at 11am and they were still going in and out of the village at 4pm.

We parked outside the village and walked 1k in to catch our cruise on the lake, the canal, and the Rhone River. First enjoyed a fish and chip meal at one of the restaurants in the village. Very nice meal, followed by a sorbet, mine without chantilly cream (you know, the pssshhhh cream in a can). It was a lovely day and a very enjoyable cruise. First we travelled down the canal and into the lake, then back along the canal, through a lock, and into the Rhone River. The water level in the lock raised 4 metres in 4 minutes (dropped 4 metres in 3 minutes). There wasn't a lot of wiggle room in the lock for our boat - only inches either side. It had clouded over towards the end of the cruise and when we docked there was a light sprinkle of rain which thankfully didn't last.

Cat of the day.

The church in Chanaz.

These two swans herding their two cygnets.

Approaching the Lac de Bourget.

A Chateau on the lake - not sure if it is still lived in.

Looking southeast towards the french alps in the distance
- still a lot of snow. 

Dog of the day.

The dock at Chanaz -
we had lunch at a restaurant here on the edge of the canal.

As we approached the ecluse (lock). 

Waiting for the door to open.

Mango sorbet for Alice and strawberry sorbet with chantilly cream for Odette.

Never seen an avalanche warning before.
Wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow.