Day 6: The Countryside, Chateaus, & Claude

Observation of the day: French music makes the French countryside even prettier (if that is even possible!)

HM (with some ghost writing from VM): To say I have been obsessed with a playlist on Spotify titled “Parisian Chic” would be an understatement…

For MONTHS I have been listening to this album on REPEAT and the second we crossed the Belgium border into France, the playlist was on! That being said, my observation of the day stems from the fact I have been playing “Parisian Chic” and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” soundtrack continuously and, let me tell you, it adds a je ne sais quoi which can’t be matched.

The view from a room of our room upon waking

apple orchard in early morning fog.

This morning, after a solid 14-hours of sleep, I woke up to VM’s perfectly timed alarm. In unison, we got ready for the day appreciating the warmer French weather, as we were able to shed some layers.

Breakfast was scrumptious AND
beautiful!

Downstairs, we were greeted with a mouthwatering spread complete with fresh eggs, baguettes, granola, yogurt, cheeses, cold cuts, and homemade jams (As well as, our gracious and vibrant hostess!). VM and I drooled as we filled our plates and were brought hot chocolate (for me) and café au lait (for VM). It was truly a delicious and wonderful start to our day giving us the energy to tackle all the mini excursions we spontaneously planned after recommendations from our hostess.

Girls can dream that this is their maison!

Before heading out for the day, we had to visit all our animal buddies.

 

La Reserve's furry friends -- chickens, donkeys, cows --  all approach when you come near their pastures / enclosures. A sign of very well kept and very content animals who feel safe!

There were no other guests at Chateau de Bizy
beyond this school group picnicking
after their field trip.

We first drove to Château de Bizy, a late 17^thcentury home affectionately nicknamed Little Versailles which has been owned by many and survived both world wars (although it did sustain some damage). Since we had more than one chateau on our agenda, we decided to focus on the revered gardens which surround the house rather than tour the inside. We began in the 18^thcentury Italian gardens featuring a fountain statue of adolescent Neptune with his trident. Following a path, we enjoyed manicured English and French gardens all made by different predecessors and all containing unique hallmarks such as 200-year old trees and 17^thcentury still working hydraulic systems.The hydraulic systems were especially interesting to VM and I because although they were designed nearly 300-years ago, they still worked efficiently and are in fact used today by the chateau owners who live on grounds.

A more than 200-year-old tree starting to bud for Spring
 is carefully taken care of as they recently lost another
200-year-old beech.

The tree is HUGE!

View from the back of the house where the stables were.

Welcome to my French crib!

The hydraulics system still works today!

After a couple of hours meandering the estate, we moseyed our way down to Le Chateau de la Roche Guyon, a picturesque 12^thcentury castle which is seated at the base of a cliff overlooking the Seine River. As VM and I roamed the wonderfully empty halls sans tourist and really anybody else, we attempted to understand the history of the castle as everything (and we mean EVERYTHING—even evacuation routes) were in French! Along the way, we walked into a music video shoot for a somewhat up-and-coming American artist Kelsey Lu (http://www.kelsey.lu). While neither of us knew her, we googled and found some of her music. She is from North Carolina and, let’s just say, appeared to have a BIG attitude… 

The gardens are just coming to life with the warmer weather, but
we can imagine what these look like in full bloom.

The view from above towards the river.

The castle features its own series of chapels.

   

We enjoyed playing in the
Alice In Wonderland-type repeating
looking glass!

As we departed the castle, we went to the gardens taking a moment to sit by the Seine River and appreciate the property French aristocrats once enjoyed. Realizing we were ready for lunch, we took to TripAdvisor for a local recommendation and came across La Casa Victoria. As we were making the short walk to La Casa, we bumped into a very diva-esque Kelsey Lu. Unfazed, VM and I entered the restaurant only to be told it was completely closed due to Miss Lu’s private shoot.

Kelsey Lu in France. This North Carolina girl sure had a lot
of 'tude.

A delicious indulgence.

Undeterred, we found a new restaurant closer to “home,” and I feel safe to say we are both grateful we did. VM and I enjoyed the most delicious pizza, buffalo mozzarella, and tiramisu which easily rivaled its Italian creators.

Just can't get enough of the flowers everywhere.

After our lunch, we made our way to Claude Monet’s museum which at the moment is home to many paintings by 

These two were meandering around a shop /cafe in Giverny.

Auburtin, an impressionist who “mimicked” (VM and I feel more copycatted) Monet’s work and style. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our time wandering the small gallery before saying au revoir to the town of Giverny.

Inspired by all the art in Giverny,
we indulged in handcrafted rings from a local gallery. The artisan
was an older gentleman with a long beard who looked like he could've
hung with Monet too!

These two paintings are the real McCoy from Claude
himself!

Giverny is a pretty little village.

Tonight, we have made the most of our last night in our lovely, lovely maison. I have unsuccessfully plotted how to steal Mouche, my sweet French kitty, while VM has enjoyed the grounds. We plan on departing early to reach Omaha Beach and later Mont Saint Michel at a reasonable time. We are sad to leave this mini heaven, but beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to visit and call it “home” even if it was for a short time.

RANDOM PICS OF THE DAY

We just can't get enough of these fields!!!