We usually plan a loose itinerary so we can get sidetracked. As we zipped along the A6 on our way from Beaune to Vezelay we saw a castle at the top of the hill and had the same thought - "let's go check it out." We never would have made it without GPS, which took us on a large counterclockwise loop through some lavender fields.
We crossed the very canal that I traversed by sail boat a few years back.
After winding our way up a steep narrow road we arrived at the small village of Chateauneuf. It's the kind of place you can picture in a WWII movie, with the Allies and Nazis fighting in close quarters, house to house.
Being at the top of a hill, it's a town of large blue skies. We walked along the streets looking for some eats.
Every vine-covered building was made of stone.
Many had a tumbledown quality but undoubtedly have been around for hundreds of years.
The views were spectacular, this one looking northwest.
The Burgundy countryside looks like a painting. It's hard to believe even when you're standing there looking at it in person. I stared at it for a very long time, slightly mesmerized.
We were joined at the "lookout point" by a group of local cyclists, no doubt celebrating the climb up.
We settled at an outdoor brasserie next to an old Peugeot and ordered lunch. Dodo's beef bourguignon was splendid.
Ditto the homemade creme caramel.
We sat in the shade, digesting and agreeing in advance that this was probably going to end up the favorite part of the trip.
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