Wiki for Chalon-sur-Saône
Tourist Information for Burgundy & Chalon-sur-Saône
Today, we’re to breakfast, then go by train to Dijon (lunch on-board) for a guided tour. Then we’re to be taken to the ship MS Discovery II where we’ll unpack in Cabin 402 (see deck plans below; we took a last-minute upgrade offer for this cabin) and relax until the ship’s welcome dinner. We remain here overnight.
We awoke early (body clock again) and cat-napped until 0500, then got up to do things. I’m going to take time to go to the lobby and upload this website as it stands now, since we’ll be busy later.
We went to breakfast in the large hotel breakfast space. Very good, all sorts of breads, fruits, juices, etc. There was the usual European set of cold meats, cheeses, and *pickled herring*. We did well and hadn’t finished when Glenn & Marylou sat next to us. We ate a little more and talked over coffee until it became obvious we should move along. So, back to the room to type this and then to wait for the bus to the train.
We bused to Gare de Lyon, the station for the east and south of France and waited for the platform assignment. Open platforms but it was mild enough to stand around. Then we went to our seats and were disappointed to find the windows very dirty such that we wouldn’t be able to take pictures. It turns out the train was so fast we wouldn’t have time to focus anyway.
We covered the 200+ miles in an hour and 25 minutes for a average of something around 150mph. The ride was nice and smooth except at top speed where it jiggled some, and except when we met an opposing train when the pressure waves collided.
New buses picked us up and took us into Dijon. We were furnished a local guide who walked us around Dijon, telling us the history of the place and of the dukes and the duchy of Dijon. The place was Roman in pre-Christian times and just about the northernmost point of the Empire. She pointed out the architectural differences of the eras and centuries. Quite interesting.
After the tour, the four of us walked around the area in front of the Palace of the Dukes and bought Dijon mustard in one little shop. We stopped in a bar for a quick glass of Viogner before returning to the bus for the trip to the ship at Chalon.
At the ship, we checked in and were shown to our cabin, larger than last time (for more $$) and very comfortable-looking. We spent about an hour unpacking our two carry-ons and one large bag into the drawers and closets. Once the place felt good, we found it time to go to the briefings.
We were briefed on ship’s safety and on the features of the ship, and the plan for tomorrow. We were given a bunch of champagne as this took place, and more when the captain (very poor English) spoke. Then we went to dinner, where the wait-staff were very generous with their pouring. The food was excellent as usual.
We met Art & Judy from Ohio, who were with us in Portugal. Linda from Lancaster PA joined us for dinner and was a good conversationalist.
Finally we stumbled off to bed, none too sober.
Owen’s photos
Dolores’s photos
