Walking tour of Tournes and the chateaux

8.30 am was the appointed time for the walking tour to begin, so after a yummy breakfast, we picked up our hearing devices, we gathered on the Quay to meet with Jonquil, our local guide for the morning.

Jonquil was English, and reminded us of our friend Barbara, with an identical accent.

Jonquil took us aripound the town of Tournes, showing us all the historical sites, and giving us its history.  It is quite small with a population of just 6000 inhabitants. 

It's a delightful little town, a combination of the very old, with a medieval section, and more modern 19th century buIldings as well.   It's not doing so well economically, and you can buy a fully restored apartment  for around 60,000 €

It was founded  in the 1st century BC, as a roman town along a  roman road ..

The most famous landmark is the Abbey of St. Philbert, rebuilt a couple of times.  No sooner it was built in 937, than  it was razed to the ground by invaders.    After being rebuilt, it was destroyed by fire again.   The present church was completed by 1120.

 

In the last few years, the original mosaic floor has been discovered under the present flooring.

After our walking tour was finished, we were bussed to Macon, where our ship was docked.   Whilst we walked, it had sailed.

Back on board for a light lunch; we opted for the lounge rather than the dining room buffet today. It's so tempting to overeat at the buffet, and then feel as if you need to have a sleep for the afternoon.

We had another tour to go on, a bus taking us to the Chateau de Cormitan, a noble mans house dating from the 17th century.   Our guide was Phillipe, a delightful older Frenchman with a quirky sense of humor.  We had two hours so had a wonderful tour, including the history of the Monsuier and Madame who last lived there.   They were married at 18 and 15, had the obligatory 5 children, and then he became a "favourite" of the Queen.  At aged 28 he was killed in battle, so Madame moved away from the chateau, never to return.     It was left vacant for over 100 years, until the director of the Opera in Monte Carlo bought it in the 19th century.   Now another couple own it, and are gradually restoring it.

Madame and Monsieur had separate quarters, the bed on the left is hers, and his is on the right.    The gardens were beautifully set out.  All the garden restoration had been done in the last couple of decades.

This area of Burgandy is where the white Charolais cattle are bred for their meat, there are 2 million of them. It's very strange seeing white cows I can assure you!  Also in this region are the de luxe  Bresse chickens.  Just one of these chickens can sell for 150-200 U.S. dollars.  They have bright red combs, and blue steel legs.  This meat is succulent and juicy, firm but tender.  I don't think I'll be eating it anytime soon at that price though. 

Back on board for a cheese tasting, a quick shower and the Gala dinner, which everybody got a little dressed up for.     Again, the food was delicious, but we restricted ourselves to two or three courses tonight.     

 Our traveling companions are American, Canadian, New Zealanders, Aussies, one couple from Mauritus, and a lady born in Peru.    There are 115 passengers in total. 

This evening we hung around to see what the supper was....small croquettes, and cheesy thingos on bread....and listen to a little music from George on a keyboard.

We ordered breakfast to the room for the morning.  As we belong to the Journeys Club with Avalon, we are entitled to this without extra charge...only once though !   We also had a fruit platter in our stateroom  on arrival, another little privilege for being members.