Beaune

With the exception of Paris we’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding crowds. Most of our cycling took us through very quiet, almost abandoned looking villages with maybe one cafe. Then we came to Beaune which is the capital of the Burgundy region. I wouldn’t say it’s crowded but it’s definitely built for tourism. 

From our window in the centre of town

Beautiful buildings and little plazas filled with restaurants. Within steps of our airbnb are several boulangeries, many wine shops,  fromageries, and gelato shops. Anything you want to know about burgundy wines is here. 

At the gelato place you order via touch screen - first the type (cup,cone etc), then the flavours (chocolate almond, cherry, pistachio for me); pay, then pick up your order.  Quite efficient.

I’m fighting a bit of a cold so our activities here have been a bit on the slow side.

By the time we got up on Saturday morning the market outside our window was in full swing despite a bit of rainy weather. The vendors stalls snaked down the road and into the squares at each end plus a large indoor hall. Purchases of cheese, strawberries, apples, pâtés, bread. Apparently tomorrow and Monday are holidays so a lot of places are closed.

We crashed a wedding that was taking place in the basilica here just so we could listen to the music in the cathedral. The acoustics are always amazing.

There was a bit of drama during the processional - the little girl absolutely refused to hold hands with the little boy. He made a few attempts but she was having none of it. I think he was crushed.