luxemblog: Dijon and Burgogne

The Luxembourg November weather was REALLY getting to me and Dave sensed it so last Friday night he said "So, where can we go for an overnight, for FREE?" Obviously, we can't really go anyplace for "free" but there were certainly options that were relatively CHEAP. We had considered going to Dijon before but never made the trip and both of us felt like it was a good time to check it out. So, at around 10:30 am the next morning we got into the car and drove the 3 hours to Dijon. I had made a reservation the night before at an Ibis hotel that had been recommended on tripadvisor.com. Dave wanted to "wing it" and just get a place when we arrived. I wanted a backup plan so we got a flexible reservation.

anyway, upon arrival at the Ibis, we realized it wasn't a good choice. fine hotel, but in a lousy location - by a conference center and a lot of construction. we wanted more charm. so, we walked into the town center and found a really nice place that was recommended in Lonely Planet. I think i'm going to stop taking tripadvisor recommendations so seriously. I don't feel like we really jive with many of the reviews of hotels and restaurants. anybody have a great travel info site they like???

after settling in to the hotel and squeezing the car into the tight parking garage we strolled around. I was immediately taken by the sunshine. and the blue blue sky. it was like somebody had thrown a warm blanket around my shivering-cold mood. i could immediately feel the happiness seep in.

Dijon is a lovely, lovely city. SO easy to explore and FULL of wonderful architecture, of a variety of eras and styles. Everything was relatively inexpensive too. Hotel, restaurants, etc. Such a nice change of pace! even though we drove only 3 hours i felt like we were in an entirely different climate. even saw a few palm trees on the way (in sheltered courtyards) and the fields and gardens were still pretty green and lush.

Our prize from Dijon. A ceramic crock filled by tap at the original Maille mustard store. there were hundreds of styles and flavors of mustards and vinegars. we settled on one of the basics - Chablis Dijon. so much spicier and richer than anything i've had in a jar.

One of our first stops- the Maille mustard shop.

Some elders sitting in a park, watching the traffic below go by.

I loved this building. Some sort of japanese-inspired Art Nouveau?

The view from one of the hotel rooms we looked at.

the public bike system - Velodi. In Paris it's Velib. In Luxembourg it's Veloh. the owl is one of the official Dijon city symbols. Explanation coming up.

AHHH! the OWL! this little Chouette is super old - medieval era? - and on the side of the NOtre Dame church. People have been rubbing it for good luck for centuries. it's almost been rubbed away, poor little guy.

The chrismtas decorations were up, but not turned on yet.

Still lots of fall color - couldn't help photographing it... i need my fall color!

More charm in the architecture...

more fall color ...

we happened upon this very very lovely courtyard. one side had a large terraced garden with flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. there was also this pretty little corner with the funky windows, doors and beautiful gold-colored rose.

the main square at dusk.

after we left the city we decided to take a winding way back to Lux, touring through more of the Burgundy countryside. the roads were a different color - a clay color, and everything was lush and green and the sky had blue and still sunshine!!!

stopped to get some mistletoe. ever since arriving in luxembourg i've wanted to pick mistletoe - it's everywhere in the countryside. when we got it home we read that it was possibly toxic to cats so into the garbage it went. but it was still fun to pick it and see how it grows up close.

we found this amazing chateau in the middle of this tiny tiny village. we imagined that someone famous, or formerly famous lived there. later we read that it gets rented for weddings, etc. i liked imagining that it was a country home of david bowie or gerard depardieu.

Some old, beautiful apple trees that I fell in love with.

one of those strange christian altars that probably bless the crops or the village, etc. they were all over the place.

just another charming village in the middle of Burgundy.

GREAT driving. Dave really enjoyed it.

And here we have Chablis. i really like how the different wine regions have very different architecture and terrain. the styles, colors, materials all change. just as the wine changes from region to region. The terrain of Chablis seemed more barren, paler, and harsher. the buildings were also pale.

we stopped to get a closer look at some of the vines and they were QUITE short!

We drove to this small town called Tonniere, or something like that. We read about it in one of our guide books. this town is famous for a very strange natural spring called Fosse Dionne.

The spring truly was bizarre and beautiful. we felt like we were in a scene from Lord of the Rings and the Elves were going to come out and counsel us on how to get back to Luxembourg.

We read that nobody knows the true depth or size of the spring and several divers were killed exploring it. it's now forbidden to dive in the spring. legend says a serpent lives inside.

The village itself was kind of depressing. it felt like it was once a thriving place, then industry left the area and things fell apart. you didn't get this feeling when driving through the farming villages. they felt very much alive and functioning. this place felt kind of "dead". Maybe everyone WAS dead and the spring was keeping them walking around, like zombies... hmmmm

more lush fields and dramatic skies on our ride home...

We stopped at this supposedly beautiful chatea called "Tanlay". unfortunately it was closed for the season. This is why dave looks so sad.

This is merely the entry bldg of the chateau. the real castle is even more grand and it's completey surrounded by a moat. the water actually comes RIGHT up to the edge of the building. you should google it! Tanlay!