Another day of "Beautiful" on the Burgundy Canal

August 14th

Driving to the start of a bike ride has been easy because our bikes fit into the back of the car without collapsing them.  We have heavy carry bags that we throw in-between to protect the gears and spokes so it just takes a few minutes to load and unload.  There are so many great bike trails in this part of France and driving out of Beaune for 30-45min gets us to most of them.  

Today we drove to where we left off yesterday and rode from Pont d'Ouche to Pont de Pany.  It's a 44km out and back ride on a smooth asphalt surface.  After 9km there is a restaurant with a coffee stand that was very convenient our way back.  Our cafe au laits were only 1.50 Euro, a bargain to say the least.  The canal is tree lined and so pretty.  The old lock houses are usually abandoned but the one pictured below still has the eclusier living there. Sometimes it's hard to believe we're here and we feel so lucky to be able to do this...physically and financially.

After getting back to Beaune we decided to walk the walled ramparts. Beaune has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. The Romas lived here in the 3rd century and later the Dukes of Burgundy.  Beaune was a very important city in the Kingdom of Burgundy and wine was always a major part of that distinction.  The walls around the town were constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries but in the 15th and 16th centuries the towers, a fortified chateau and the four bastions were finished due to a fear of being attacked.  People still live in some of the buildings along the ramparts. 

We stopped for a glass of wine at our favorite Bar 66 and shared the Jambon Persille which is a ham pate popular in Burgundy.  Dinner was in the apartment...Gazpacho (from a carton), fruit, salad and the obligatory glass of great wine.  It does't get much better than this!