Luxury Barge Cruising: A Damp Day In One Of France’s Most Beautiful Villages

By Ralph Grizzle On May 26, 2012 · 1 Comment

Rainy day in Burgundy. © Ralph Grizzle

Yesterday, we enjoyed Bicycling And Barging On French Country Waterways on a gorgeous day in Burgundy. Today, we awakened to a light rain, but that would not stop us from enjoying the planned activities, which typically went as 1) do something interesting; 2) lunch; and 3) dinner.

One of France

We hopped in the Mercedes van to visit Noyers sur Serein, designated as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Armed with umbrellas to stroll through Noyers. © Ralph Grizzle

Armed with umbrellas, the light rain did not stop us from strolling this charming town with its cobble-stoned streets and half-timbered homes.

At the market in Noyers, where we bought fresh fish to be prepared for dinner. © Ralph Grizzle

We purchased fresh fish at the village market. Our talented chef would prepare the fish for dinner Friday night. He was back on the barge already working on tonight’s menu. Tadek spent probably 12 or more hours in the kitchen five days a week.

Visiting a leather shop in Noyers. © Ralph Grizzle

We visited a leather shop operated by Yazmhil and Brice Corman, pictured. They used to live in Montana and told me that they still tune in to NPR each day via the internet.

Back-alley Noyers. © Ralph Grizzle

Purchasing white asparagus to be prepared for dinner. © Ralph Grizzle

At another market, we purchased white asparagus, which would be used in a recipe later on in the week.

Locally cultivated and called white gold, white asparagus costs nearly 6 euros per kilogram. © Ralph Grizzle

And we picked up some cheeses.

We returned to the barge for lunch, and afterward visited the 16th century renaissance chateau in Ancy Le Franc, which boasts the largest collection of Renaissance murals in France.