2008 Elderhostel outing

Day 7, Thursday: Dijon, Château du Clos de Vougeot, tasting at Domaine Bertagna; farewell dinner

We spend the morning under way in order to reach Seurre in time for the afternoon's adventures.

  • Thursday’s agenda (not Tuesday)
  • on our way to Seurre
  • In this lock we have company...
  • It’s a tight fit.
  • our pilot, Marc
  • salads for lunch
  • Mo serves.
  • Libellule docked in Seurre

From Seurre Michael drives us to Dijon.  

  • Ben helps with Lois’s camera.
  • Dijon street scene
  • elaborate ironwork balcony railings
  • Cathédrale Saint Benigne
  • Cathédrale Saint Benigne
  • Cathédrale Saint Benigne

The  Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is still in use by the municipal government.  

  • sign announcing the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne
  • Place des Ducs, with the Palais on the left (photo by Joanne)
  • Joanne takes photographs (a rare sight).
  • revolutionary painting
  • commemorating some tragic history
  • The Palais des Ducs was the birthplace of notables.
  • an older part of the Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne
  • Cathedral of Notre Dame
  • whimsical roof ornaments
  • Maison Milière in Dijon is another medieval wooden building whose ground floor of stone kept it safe from fires.
  • detail of Maison Milière, Dijon
  • The lucky owl—rub it with your left hand and make a wish.

We follow the Route des Grands Crus to Domaine Bertagna and the Château du Clos de Vougeot.

  • bussing through wine country
  • threading our way through the streets of Vougeot
  • Domaine Bertagna
  • In Domaine Bertagna’s courtyard
  • photo of the gate of the property
  • Domaine Bertagna’s cellar
  • This Grand Cru goes for about $117
  • We don’t taste this one, either.
  • At Domaine Bertagna, Françoise is not entirely pleased.
  • What we do taste at Domaine Bertagna—two premiers crus isn’t doing too badly.
  • Vougeot vineyards
  • Château du Clos de Vougeot
  • the entrance of the château
  • the château’s courtyard
  • close-up of the collection
  • Grapes grow right up to the château’s outside walls.

Back aboard Libellule, it was time for our farewell dinner.  

  • The last dinner’s menu is even more special than its predecessors.
  • Françoise wears a gala tunic.
  • Theresa and June have dressed up for the gala.
  • The table settings for the Libellule farewell dinner are a tour de force!
  • Bruce and Theresa sit with Fran and Jordan.
  • Yet another way to fold a napkin, this one for the ladies.
  • The gentlemen’s napkins are outstanding!
  • Bouquets of flowers are the finishing touch.
  • A trio of swans cruises just as we were sitting down for the farewell dinner.
  • Even the butter is decorated specially.
  • Cristi and Ben at the farewell dinner
  • Stacy joins us for the farewell dinner.
  • The entrée of paté de foie gras is as delicious as it is sinful!
  • The white wine is a fine chablis.
  • the cheese course
  • The Libellule staff line up to receive our kudos.
  • The staff leads a toast.
  • The crew and the guests share a moment of merriment.
  • A premier cru red wine is a fitting accompaniment to the farewell dinner.