Tag Archives: river cruise

A Taste of Local Life

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of attending a special, informal wine tasting at La Petite Cave, a charming wine bar in the heart of Blaye. It was more than just a tasting, it was an invitation into the life of the owners, a couple with a deep passion for wine and art.
Leslie is the entrepreneur and wine educator and his wife, Clarissa, is the interior decorator, artist and wine maker.

The couple shared not only a tasting of their own wines, but also a glimpse into their artistic world. We were welcomed into their art studio, a creative space filled with Clarissa’s work, and shown their secret garden, their winery and impressive collection of vintage cars.

The warmth and hospitality of the owners transformed a simple wine tasting into a very memorable experience.

The Life of Toulouse-Lautrec

Last Tuesday, our journey led us to the Gironde region of France, into the history of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, beginning with a visit to his family’s country estate, Chateau Malrome. While he is most famous for his depictions of Parisian nightlife, this chateau, bought by his mother, Adele, served as a place of artistic inspiration away from the city. It was here that Toulouse-Lautrec spent much of his time and where he passed away in 1901.

From the chateau, our journey continued to the nearby town of Verdelais. In its peaceful cemetery, we visited the simple grave which marked the end of a brilliant and troubled life. Visiting Chateau Malrome and the cemetery provided a deeper understanding of the man behind the art, connecting his legacy to the French countryside he called home.

Just behind the cemetery is the basilica of Verdelais which houses a wooden statue of Our Lady of Verdelais, estimated to be from the 14th century. It has been credited with many miracles. These are dated including one for this year and there are crutches and canes hanging in the church apparently left behind by people cured of various diseases.

Simple Pleasures


We’re halfway through our river cruise and every day has brought us new experiences. On Monday morning we stepped ashore after docking at Medoc where we found that some local artists had set up their shops in an old chateau where we were able to browse their unique creations.

The real treat that awaited us, however, was a special tasting of lovely fresh oysters paired with a local white wine. Sitting in the shade of an historic building, French music playing in the background, enjoying some local fare, surrounded by art. A moment of pure, simple pleasure.