Our last few days in France

August 14

We sadly, pack up to leave Lausanne and take the train into Lyon, France – where we rented a car and drove south to Romans-Sur-l’Isere…why you may ask?  Back in 2011, when we went back East for a family wedding, Eric and Alain had requested a home exchange just for that time.  So they stayed in our home in what is called a non-simultaneous home exchange.  We were happy, as our house was occupied during our trip and someday we would go to their home.  This was the year.

Eric and Alain live in Romans Sur-l’Isere – a stone walled town dating back to the middle ages.  Especially wonderful is that their apartment is on the 2nd floor of the oldest building (actually a hotel) in Romans, built in the 15th century.  The building has a jaw dropping courtyard protected from the street and their home boasts ancient high ceilings and stone walls.   Here they are in front of their apartment and then various photos of their charmingly eccentric home.  (Check out our bedroom with the bed tucked into an old doorway.)

Because Eric and Alain were not traveling we had the pleasure of having them around. We stayed in their guest room and they served us a delicious dinner complete with an apricot crumble that cooled on the courtyard windowsill while we ate.

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August 15

Husband and I go exploring the town but under strict orders to be back by 1pm – because it’s France and we have lunch.  We are also asked to bring back bread, as it must be fresh every day.  The town has a fun clock tower where the man hammers the bell every hour.  There is town artwork which commemorates the towns later role as a major shoe manufacturer (there’s even a shoe museum – we gave it a pass.)

After lunch we were instructed to go and rest – which we did happily – and then in the late afternoon Eric and Allen took us on hike up to a small chapel that overlooked the Rhone River valley.  We ended the day at a local winery.