#103 - A leisurely last day in Valbonne

After a full day of village hopping yesterday, the evening brought a three minute drive back to Valbonne to roam the cobbled alleys and find a bite. The casual pace of our travels dictates we don’t think too far ahead for dinner reservations (it seems we only reserve those gourmet lunches for some reason), but, alas, Valbonne in the summer on a Friday night is a bit like the summer at the seashore, busy...with most bistros fully booked. Luckily, there is always decent Indien (yes, they spell it that way here) and we snagged a table outside for our repast. As we strolled back to our car, we went through the bustling main square where there are about five or six restaurants, each having at least 30 or 40 tables outside. Every table was full, the decibel level was well above Craig LaBan’s optimal 75, young children were running about having fun while their parents sipped wine, and although it was almost 10 PM, the light was just leaving the sky, allowing the string lights and candles to emblazon the festive scene.

As we walked through I was reminded of our trip to Oaxaca this year where each afternoon and each evening, on our way to a museum or to dinner, we would walk through the zocalo (main square) teeming with families, couples, locals, and tourists. I would remark how old fashioned and lovely it was that in this day and age when it sometimes seems like we only communicate through keyboards, there were still places where people strolled and chatted, young and old, locals and tourists. Valbonne strikes that same chord, one that is usually missing in our hurried lives today. It seems to me a retro way of life that should make a comeback, or maybe that is what is so lovely and attractive about places like Oaxaca and Valbonne....it never left.

Steve’s Poisson Salad

Today we took the day off from touring. We had a leisurely morning, a lunch on the terrace of Bistrot du Clos, the more casual spot opened by a one star Michelin chef in Rouret, did some hand laundry and lounged at the pool, reading and relaxing.

Dinner was literally an ‘ancient’ baguette from the boulangerie, two local cheeses (one mild and one stinky), & a 5.90 Euro bottle of Cote d’Rhone all enjoyed at the outdoor table outside our room poolside before we packed up for an early departure tomorrow.

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June 24

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Marci and Steve Go Back to Europe

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