Busca Bourges

Bourges  Rain Best Western Hotel

One original start of the Pilgrimage was Paris; from Tour St. Jacques.  Bobby sent us the photo below as he commenced the short version of his similar adventure.

From Paris to Bourges by car.  Deviation on barely single lane road out of Paris to reach the Autoroute. Naturally a detour for construction but the hotel sent us a map (see below).

The old part of the city is "en lumiere"  summer festival.  The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Etienne, begun at the end of the twelfth century, is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is considered the earliest example of the high gothic style of the thirteenth century. No parking, like NYC.

Bourges served as the capital of France during the Hundred Year War, and the castles that were built to stop the British from advancing are a key element of the war.

See photos for first Assiete d'Auvergne and first (sort-of) bakery.

Photo from Paris start of the Pilgramage

14 August

PreFrance Orientation

1.  Hotel in Bourges (first stop) warned us of a "deviation" entering town. Failed to give actual instructions how to avoid it and find the hotel.

2.  While waiting for super efficient (not!) echeckin line at Air France, and watching the slow non checked in line zip through, we were approached by a staff person who asked us something in English. When we failed to reply satisfactorily she switched to French. We failed at that too so she left us alone.

3.  On flight to Paris, flight attendant asked Jeff if he wanted the poisson. Jeff replied "vin rouge." Attendant asked (louder), if he wished the poisson.  Jeff replied (louder) "vin rouge." He got the fish. When they distributed the vin rouge, interestingly, my bottle was labeled "Rhone appellation" while Jeff's was labeled merely "vin d'oc."