Wiki for Tournus
Tourist Information for Burgundy
Plan: We’re going to take an excursion to Beaune & the Burgundy region, with lunch in a local restaurant. Then we have a wine-tasting and a mustard factory tour. Then the ship moves downriver, through a lock-and-dam, and overnights at Tournus. Movie night on board, or stroll the town.
Actual:
Here’s where things started going wrong.
The first part of the day was per plan. We bused to Beaune with a local guide who gave us information on Burgundy, Burgundy’s wines and mustards, and pointed out notable sights en route, including a 12th century mansion still in the same family.
We walked into the tourist place where she told us some Dijon history, then we walked through and arcade into a square. We went to the “Hotel Dieu”, the Hotel of God, built in 1443 as a hospice for dying or very ill poor persons by the local duke who figured he could use some assistance in reaching heaven. Some vineyards were given to the Hotel to provide income to support it, and they still do.
The architecture was really interesting (see D’s pictures). The description of the medical help given at the time was a bit scary. The roles of the nuns who did the work was explained. Best of all, it had a good toilet facility after the bus ride; it was described to us as “behind the bush” because there is a shrub in front of the door. That took a few folks as funny.
We then had free time to stroll around until we met again and were escorted to restaurant Piqu’ Boeuf. Lunch included Burgundy wine, a nice salad, beef burgundy and an apple crumble, which was more than enough.
Then we had more free time. Dolores found a shop and bought her pin for Beaune, and another little thing.
We re-convened and were escorted to the Fallot mustard factory. After walking through it and having the process explained to us, we were shown to the shop for tasting and buying. Everyone was given a tiny bottle of their Burgundy mustard (as opposed to Dijon mustard, which can be made anywhere).
We returned to the bus. Then we were told that the ship had been unable to get under a bridge downstream and had returned to Chalon to wait it out.
We drove the motorway back to the ship, docked again in the same place, where we’ll do our evening as it was advertised but it will be here in Chalon.
Dinner was good, as usual. Our waiter, Lucian, started interacting with Marylou to the point we were all laughing and hooting. She wanted a simple steak, which is always supposed to be available. Lucian wouldn’t have that, saying she must have the veal as it is magnificent. She insisted a little and pointed to the left side of the menu where steak is shown. Lucian folded the menu so that side was down and un-seeable and pointed to the veal. Finally she said to bring whatever, laughing. She got her veal and found it good; Lucian brought another small plate of veal. After we finished laughing at her reaction to that, the restaurant manager also came over and gave her another portion of veal. We laughed like mad, mostly at the way they made a production of her having veal.
We try to sit at a table for six so some other couple comes along for variety. Tonight it was Al & Maria. He was born a Brooklyn Jew, she was born in Greece. They met at Michigan State and now reside in Albuquerque. We asked how all that happened and Al said, “I’m writing a book.” Al did pituitary medical research, Maria did something with history & communications. Marylou asked a question on Orthodox Catholics and we got a full explanation from Maria on the subject complete with arms waving and Greek accent. Al said he was enjoying being with us because we laugh. Somehow the subject of cancer came up and Al said one reason I recovered is because we laugh - laughing actually triggers hormonal reactions that fight the cancer.
We finally left the table and adjourned to Glenn & Marylou’s cabin rather than watch the evening movie. We started a bottle of wine. We gabbed and chatted and talked about families, and had a great time until a little after midnight. We all agreed that we could use a lighter day tomorrow and that we’d skip the tour of Cluny Abbey; we’ll do Chalon if it’s not raining. It was a great day.
Owen photos
Dolores photos
