Himself is determined to push further north, I was hoping for a more sedate pace . I feel I’m yet to find my groove this year. All those times I dragged myself onto a plane, practically comatose after work’s busy season were, oddly, easier. Ironic, no? The stress of leaving a new home behind, one I’m not yet fully familiar with, the challenge of unexpected repairs. A devastating family loss. Missing family and friends. It all adds up. C’est la vie.
Our course is set for the Les Plus Beaux Village of Saint Antoine l’Abbaye famed for its grand abbey, founded in 1280 and currently undergoing major restoration works. Our way is paved with green pastures and the occasional herd of contended cows. European farm creatures seem to have better living conditions than those at home who constantly battle endless cycles of fire, flood or famine.
Highlight of the day comes a few kilometres out. I spot a sleek glossy chocolate mink darting across the tiny road we’re on. Oh! I would very much like to touch. I’ve patted a minky’s tummy and paw pads once, in a Finnish zoo. After distracting the bitey end. Totally worth the risk of a bite – his fur was perfectly dense and silky. I wasn’t fast enough to get a photo today, so here’s one I’ve borrowed from the interwebs – imagine him zipping across the road in an undulating ottery motion, tail at full point and you’re halfway there. Isn’t he lovely? Minky 💖
On arrival we find the Abbey is indeed grand. With a sweeping staircase and built in golden stone it’s the focal point of the village. The relics of St Anthony, said to have the power to cure “St Anthony’s fire” a poisoning disease of the blood, reside within.
Inside features medieval frescos and ornament wood carvings. The aforementioned relics are housed in the enormous wood carving below.
The village was also home to Hospitallers who treated St Anthony’s Fire and presumably other maladys. There’s a very grand medical building at the rear of the abbey in the same lovely stone, and a seperate, more modest one for paupers set out of the way.
We* soon turn our thoughts to lunch. Lasagne and a tri chocolate croustillant for me, duck parmentier and tarte tartin for Himself in a pretty leafy setting. Note the patterned glazed tile roof, a feature common to both the Dauphine and nearby Bourgogne regions.
We also find the market hall, still used for the local market today.
Post lunch, Himself can’t be convinced to explore further. Disappointing, but back on the road we go, frustratingly, retracing most of our earlier drive in. And not even another minky to show for it 😞
We end the day in another Les Plus Beaux Village, Sainte Croix en Jarez and have a drink in the square. Chartreuse of course, it would be rude not to, being in the area. Exploring can wait for tomorrow.
*and by we, I mean him. In case you wondered.
Miss Baci Travels 