Beaune

​So we are finally ‘at home’ in Beaune after quite some time away. We were happy to arrive, but it was late at night. The morning would reveal changes that have taken place since our last sojourn. 

The mandatory morning walk along the ramparts was gratifyingly the same as all other morning walks along the ramparts. Turning left where the Bouze river goes under the city always gives an opportunity to spy any trout in the water. It was pleasing to see one ‘truité’ languorously pointing itself upstream in the hope of snagging food as it drifted by. But only one trout this day. And the next. And the next. 

Walking through the park was only possible around the lake as the cute little bridge had been dismantled. It must have been way too dangerous. It was a good vantage point to observe the big fish in the water. Not possible now, I’m afraid. 

The great thing about post-COVID Beaune is the absence of annoying bells chiming the hour, the quarter-hour, half-hour and three-quarter-hour and hour again - continually from 7:00am every day (as it used to be). Nope. Not a clang!  No need to leap up in the morning to shut the sound out with double-glazed window. How wonderful. How DEVINE!  Sleep in till you want to.  THE BELLS HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF!

Café de l’Abattoir was still in full operation. We received a VERY warm reception from the waitress (ie broad smile of recognition) AND a cold glass of beer for both of us. DJ doesn’t drink beer, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her and it soon got gobbled down with our lunch of sausages and green beans. The price has gone up and it now costs €11 a head. 

Beaune is, happy to report, in full swing. Place Carnot is hopping and tour groups are back. It’s nowhere near as busy as it was and much, much quieter than we remember. Maybe it’s the time of year that’s different for us - a bit later in summer. 

All very enjoyable. 

Toodles!