Beaune, Hotel-Dieu: Sunday, June 30 (photos to follow)

Hotel Dieu

After picking up a map of recommended vineyard walks from the Tourist Bureau and breakfasting at a brasserie in Beaune, we tromped through the vineyards outside and above Beaune for the better part of four hours. Most of the time, we managed to stay on track but occasionally wandered off, giving us the chance to talk with other ramblers, most of whom admitted to not knowing exactly where they were either. After a brasserie lunch in Beaune, we spent two hours touring the famous 14th century Hotel Dieu.

Dinner at  in Beaune  was among the highlights of the trip and rates with our dinner at Semilla in Paris. Pat: white asparagus and proscuitto with champagne sauce; best ris de veau--ever; Pete: terrine de poisson; magret de canard (in a luscious, traditional Bourgogne sauce). Proprietress is full of personality, anxious to help and possessed of an excellent sense of humor. We split two half-bottles of wine, including an excellent local pinot noir that our hostess selected for us. We would have returned the following evening, but, when we inquired about a reservation, we were told they would be closed. Pete selected from the 28 Euro menu which, in addition to the courses noted above, allowed the two of us to share an excellent cheese plate (with Pat taking more than her allotted portion of the epoisses) and a dessert.