Since France was literally RIGHT THERE, Janet was kind enough to drive us over for the day. We went on a tour of the Maginot Line (if you were asleep in History Class that day, you can google it). Anyway, France started building the fort in 1930 and finished in 1940. The fort was supposed to provide protection from Germany. This is what it looks like from the outside.
Upon entering, you take an elevator WAY down into the depths of the earth where it is surprisingly brisk and cold. Here is a picture of the wine room. Not really a wine cellar because the whole fort is just one big cellar in and of itself. They needed massive amounts of wine to hold off the German troops.
Here is Jasper modeling a complimentary wheelchair.
This plaque explains details about this particular fort (the Maginot Line consists of several forts). See how good your eyes are and try to read it.
This is obviously part of the kitchen. Love those giant ladles.
Here is Janet "stirring the pot".
...and the pantry.
Peering thru the serving window is fun - sorry, no food for you two!
These cute food ads were on the wall by the kitchen.
When the guys in the fort had a bit of down time they would draw cartoons on the walls. I guess that's what you do when you don't have TV or internet.
There was a lot to see there: an infimary, bedrooms, map rooms, an impressive weapon area, bathrooms etc... but lets go up out of the fort and see what's happening on land...
Yes, I ordered a lovely regional pinot and it was fantastic and pretty cheap too.
Isn't this the cutest little house?
This one's cute too!
So, back at the restaurant, Sean and Jasper ordered steaks, which I tasted and thought were wonderful. The meat tastes better over there, they probably treat their cattle much nicer than we do. The plate had at least 5 different fancy vegetables and a side of potato gratin. Also, don't forget the mushroom sauce.
Lets's take a break from the restaurant for a minute and visit one of the many area Pottery Shops.
So many beautiful pastry molds.
Again, sooo cute.
Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, I had this lovely salad with a side of Onion Tart. If you ever get the chance to eat an Onion Tart, do it!
Back at the pottery shop, they had some lovely baking dishes in pretty colors. I didn't buy anything because, of course, I would break it trying to get it home.
Okay, get out of pottery shop and get back to the restaurant to see what else we are eating.
Jasper and his steak! No, don't leave the restaurant AGAIN - where are you going?
Back on the street? Okay, all the houses are timbered like this and cute as they can be.
I made Janet pose next to Crepe lady sign. Too bad it was closed, I would have totally scarfed down a crepe or two, or three.... now, get off the street and back to the restaurant so we can see what Janet ordered...
She had a lovely salad and Quiche Lo-Rain! Hey where are you running off to?
Ah, you want to see more pottery. Well, this was my favorite color - I wanted to take it all home with me. Now, come along with me, we'll walk back to the restaurant.
Let's just walk past this lovely wall of flowers...
Just in time for dessert.
So, this was a sort of yeasted cake with ice cream and fruit. The ice cream was super rich and the cake was obviously baked in house - and they prettied up the plate as a bonus.
Okay, we can leave the restaurant now. Let's see what we pass on our way to the car.....
I tried to take a photo of this very pretty church, but couldn't get it all in.
That little house in the background has an interesting green and yellow tiled side.
This is one of the tiles I saw and just LOVED.
See the little fox and the rooster? I wish I'd bought it. Oh well.
So that was our day trip to France. Bye.
