Chinon - Sunday Brocante (flea-market)

Sunday was somewhat 'bracing' on what was looking to be a wheather-wise questionable February morning.

But ambling around Chinon's Sunday brocante set along the edge of the Loire river more than made up for it.

After a lengthy 'mooch' and 'taking-in' of all the goodies and curiousities for the home and garden it was time for a coffee and Augustins chance to enjoy a barquette de frites !

Aided by Papa - Augustin was now in charge of his barquette.







And once mastered...

...there was NO seperating Augustin from his frites !!

Louis Vins, 75005 - Paris Best Kept Secret

Having recently received a 'mille mercis' from Fi-Fi, our friend and the proprétaire of Louis Vins for recommending our guests, personal friends and family to dine at his fabulous cave à vin/bar à vin.

I felt it was high time for me to share what I term as "Paris best kept secret".

I recall several years ago walking into Louis Vins and instantly thinking "this is everything one imagines Paris and France to be".


The food is exquisite, the decor divine and what makes Louis Vins unique is 'Monsieur Fi-Fi'.

Not only the owner but also the Head Chef, hence the perfection regarding the food. Fi-Fi makes a point of greeting his guests personally making dining in his restaurant all the more personal and special.






Just off Boulevard St. Germain, a moments walk from Notre-Dame, the nearest metro is Maubert-Mutualité.

This wonderful eatery is ever so French, ever so romantic and has an excellent wine list too - look out for 'Domaine de la Paleine'.






Louis Vins
9 Rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
75005 Paris
T: 01 43 29 12 12
W: www.fifi.fr

Loire Valley Wine Tours

From the 'wine dabbler' to the 'serious wine enthusiast' at 'La Bellevue' we offer an exciting and comprehensive range of privately conducted Loire Valley wine tasting tours.

Participate in a true French wine tasting in the company of Gérald, an accomplished bilingual French wine professional.

Experience a France reserved for the French !

Get closer to the wine makers.

Enhance your knowledge of wine.

Sample some of the more highly referenced AOC appellations of the Loire Valley.

Choose from our Loire Valley Wine Tours

~ Private Wine Tour & Wine Tasting
~ Private Wine Tour followed by lunch at 'La Maison du Vigneron'
~ Le Petit Wine Tour
~ Le Grand Wine Tour
~ A Wine Tasting Soirée
~ A Weekend Wine Discovery

St. Valentin - Valentine's Day

Roses & chocolates for Valentine's Day ?

Not chez les Beaumonts !!

Always full of surprises 'Star Husband' presented me with my desired ancienne brouette.

C'est toi ma Star G xx

La Grange d'Henri - new for Spring 2010

Work is well and truly underway since my last blog of la grange and Gérald stood in an open space.

With all of the electricity cables laid and the new ground floor prepared work has now gravitated to the future bedroom and ensuite.

My personal 'love' for the Loire Valley stone has been further fed.

The tuffeau walls will remain exposed, as will the wooden beams, and once cleaned and reappointed will add great warmth and character to our dear 'Grange d'Henri'.

Changing on a daily basis is my memory of our olde barn...hummm...

I think my gardening equipment went in that corner?!

Loire Valley Wine Trade Fair 2010

As previously blogged about - this week saw Gérald at the Loire Valley Wine Trade Fair, (Salon des Vins de Loire), in Angers representing the highly reputed Domaine de la Paleine.

This salon is the largest wine fair held in the Loire Valley housing the majority of the Domaines from this vast wine producing region at any one given time. Most definitely a calendar marking event for any 'wine lover' and open to the general public on the 3rd day.












Whilst taking time to discover and sample the many different AOC appellations there are many opportunities to rest the olde feet and make & take notes of your favourite wines.

Joyeux Anniversaire Augustin - 2 ans !!

Tuesday 2 February will see Augustin turn 2 years old.

Goodness hasn't time flown by....how many times have I heard parents say this before ?!

With Papa Beaumont at the Salon des Vins de Loire, Angers this week birthday celebrations got underway early.

And Maman Beaumont found another excuse to make a cake !

The household favourite, chocolate.


Constance bought son grand frère a remote Thomas the Tank Engine which peeps and plays the theme tune...








...needless to say Maman Beaumont now knows the theme tune off by heart !

Joyeux Anniversaire à notre petit, BIG bisous, Maman, Constance & Papa xxx