Friday, July 27, 2007

France, July 2007, Bourgogne

In the middle of the week, we escaped to Beaune, in bourgogne - Burgundy- where my sister Marie lives with her partner Bernard and their adorable 3 year old son Remi. Beaune is a lovely little town completely surrended by vineyards. Beautiful.







Barbecue with the local saucissons. It had been raining for the past 2 months in France, so it was the first barbecue of the year for them. Delicious.




We then visited the wine cave Le Patriarche. Trully amazing. 4 million bottles in 5 km of cave. tasting of course and shopping.




Tuesday, July 24, 2007

France, July 2007, Auvergne

Auvergne is where I grew up and studied. Remote country places in the Massif central and the local volcanoes. Most of my family still lives there.


My dad :



My Mum :



Quiet Montlucon :





Then we went to Clermont-Ferrand, where I studied, 'capital' of Auvergne, to visit my brother and his family, and his especially his latest one, 2 months old !







We finished the week by seeing my best friend Ludo and his future wife Leonie. We know each other since we're 3 years old. His brother Vincent and him are almost the 2 opposite characters.




After a very strong start from Andrea, Ludo finally took the lead at the mini golf. Leo saved me from the shame...


France, July 2007, Paris

I had to go back to Paris to pick up my new visa for the US, so I made the most of it by taking a week off in France with Andrea, first in Paris, then in Auvergne and Bourgogne. The always so good pleasure or meeting with friends and family.


First day in Paris was with Alex and Shirley, who I had not seen for almost 2 years.











Second day was with my sister Vero, her charming daughter Laure (unfortunately Laure's brother Valentin wasn't here), and Vero's partner Jean.









We allocated on the third day a bit more time to visit Paris, especially Montmartre. We met my cousin Thomas and his lovely wife Adeline. Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures, but it was such a pleasure to spend time with Tom, that I hadnt seen for so many years, and meet Adeline since I was not able to come to their wedding a few weeks earlier.








Finally on wednesday morning, Andrea Laure and I took the train to Auvergne, center of France.