Planning Session

Sausage making is a high art in Lyon, as shown in this photo from Les Halles

Selection of place specific oysters at Merle in Les Halles.

Desserts at the Patissiere in Les Halles.

Just off a skype video call with Nathalie and Ghislaine, discussing the nitty gritty--dates and actual itinerary.  Here is what we have come up with.  We all should plan to meet in Lyon on May 5, which means flying out on May 4th to arrive the next day.  Ghislaine is looking for a place for us all near the old town in that fabulous food city.  During our 2 days on our own in Lyon, we will definitely visit Les Halles de Lyon, a venerable old building housing 59 food traders and craftsmen where we will also have an oyster (for seafood lovers) lunch at Merle.  There will be something for everyone. Ghislaine is looking into a hammam (spa) visit for us as well, though that is for ladies only during the day.  Gentlemen's appointments are in the evening only.  She will send the line and we can check the prices for services which range form 10-15 euros to 50 euros, depending on what you choose. There is a lot to see in the old town and a wonderful basilica on a hill that we hiked to last year.  Two days in Lyon will likely be not enough!

On Saturday afternoon we will go to Cogny though not too early because she has a group in there the week before and will need to get our rooms ready.  We can deposit our luggage and then get up to the Beaujolais region for the Fete des Cru banquet Saturday night.  It's about a 40 minute drive up to Fleurie and the banquet is one of the main events.  We'll drive back afterwards and settle into our rooms and then drive back to Fleurie the next day for the village celebration.

Sketch for the week:
Monday--early morning trip to market in Villefranche and to a supermarket for self-catering supplies  then a Monday afternoon hike/drive to the chapel on the Cote de Brouilly for a memorial service

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday--not sure what will happen on which day, but the general plan is 2 dinners out during the week (in addition to the banquet) and daytime visits to a fromagerie (goat cheese farm) and a heullerie (artisan oil producer), with side trips to a local willow basket weaver, a visit to a country house market, and a tour of a local wine museum.  The abbey at Cluny is a possibility, but an all day trip.Nathalie and Ghislaine will do a preliminary tour in the next month or so to help us to narrow the many options.  And, oh yeah--the COOKING CLASSES!  For those interested, there will be four during the week that focus on French fundamentals and regional specialties..Ghislaine has generously suggested that we use the kitchen in her house for the lessons.There will also be WINE APPRECIATION CLASSES each evening (maybe in the cellar?) that focus on the various cru Beaujolais that we are introduced to at the festival. 

Important notes:  The maximum capacity at Les Buis des Chardonnet is 14 and that is tight.  How we fit into a vehicle/vehicles for ground transportation is also limited. Ghisliane will email me the anticipated cost of the week for lodging and transportation and I will then send that info via email to everyone on the list who has indicated that they want to participate.  Her bank told her that it is best if we send a travellers check with the deposit.  I will check with my bank to see if there is a way to make a bank transfer but once she sends the estimate it will be up to each person on the list to make her/his own deposit and airline reservation. The dates for the stay at her property are May 7 to the 14th. We are looking at staying in Lyon on May 5 and 6.  Departure dates will depend on flight arrangements.  It may be hard to get to the Lyon airport from Cogny for a 6 am flight.  I'm planning on flying out on Sunday, maybe staying in a hotel near the airport the night of the 14th.

So--I need to know who is on the list for certain and will take blood relatives first.  Why?  because they will be more forgiving of me if this is a total fiasco. Next tier:  those who responded first.