An American in Sologne

Renaissance Dinner with the French Locals

If your French dream is to sit down to a great dinner with locals, then come to my Coin Perdu in Sologne.  Saturday May 30th is the Renaissance dinner that I do once a year for the locals.  Here is what I post about town.  The English translation is just under.

 Dans unpetit jardin qui se trouve au COIN PER DU vous serez transporté à La Renaissance! Vous allez être enchante par la groupe musicale "La Rondinella", fascinés par l'art du jonglerie et être regalés comme Elizabeth I, tout autour d'un festin authentique de l'époque.

In a "lost corner" of a small garden you will be taken back to the Renaissance. The music of "La Rondinella" will enchant you, the jugglers fascinating. Come and savor a Renaissance evening such as Elizabeth I would have enjoyed!

 

Mead

Erbolata (herb & cheese tart)

Grilled marinaded chicken

Mushroom toasts

Herb salad

Syrosye (summer pudding)

1/4 wine, coffee

25 euros

Spring has sprung and 'tis the season of street sales!

 Yes Spring is in the air even if it is a brisk 4°this morning here in my "Coin Perdu". The blooms are blooming, the trees, a tapestry of greens and the street sales and festivals are sprouting all over France! 

Here  in Sologne (just 90 minutes south of Paris) the month of May is very busy with activites.  Just a few...

Chambord has its 14th "la brocante" where more than 450 antique and junk dealers will be selling their wares.  And,  don't forget to visit Chambord at the same time. www.chambord.org 

Some other "vide greniers" and festivals:

La Ferté Saint Aubin -Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 1, 2, & 3 - "LA Foire de Plantes" at the chateau which is open year 'round to the public and is owned by a young couple and their 4 children.  At the time of purchase, some 20 years ago, the chateau was a ruin.  Slowly but surely the Guyot family is restoring it with love and care. A treat to visit, there is even a park for children with animals and games from the Middle Ages.

Mennetou-sur-cher -"Foire aux Andouillettes et aux petis élvages" Saturday and Sunday May 2 & 3.  If you have never had the chance to try these sausages, please do.  I am almost afraid to explain exactly what they are for fear that you will lose your courage to try them and, that, you must!  For lack of a more appetising translation I will simply say they are "gut" sausages. Known as "abats" in French the insides of the cow are used for these well-known and well-loved (by lots but not me) sausages. The Andouillettes de Troyes reputation dates from the 9th century. The medieval village is certainly worth a visit.

Pierrefiette-sur-Sauldre Thursday April 30, Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 1, 2, & 3 "Musicalies en Sologne" A festival of traditional danses and music.

 

Mennetou-sur-Cher Saturday and Sunday May 2 &3 - "Foire aux andouillettes" If you never have tried one, now is the time.  The village will be alive with music, food and other activities.

 

 

 

and, babies make 12!

  Ok, I am not the greatest photograhper (writer neither) but those babies are lovely just the same.    The first one arrived at 10:30 pm, the last at 4:00am!  The 12 is  how many dogs we have at the moment. Aya is the mom here with her 9 puppies.

Here is Sushi, she is the grandma of the 9 little ones.  Then there is Raggamuffin, better known as Raggy.  Her photo will arrive shortly when I have mastered the zoom lens on my new camera. I think I have mastered it!

Alexandra's boyfriend stopped by to see the puppies, so we finally have some nice photos of the babies.

Ah, The French Health Care System and Thoughts of Springtime

Sometimes I have what I call my "French Days", when every "fonctionnaire" is out to get me - I don't have proof of where I live, or the copy of the birth certificate is 4 months old and it must be less than 3!  And, when I rant and rave about the strikes, the workman's habits etc my family look at me in wonder and ask what, then what  am I doing in the land of heathens?

Of course, I tell them about the food and  the wine but they know about that. Then there is the mystic "quality of life" which for me is the village festivals, the history, ambiance, and one major difference, at least with Americans, the quality of health care.

I just had hip remplacement surgery, an operation which costs in the States upwards from $25,000 and at least $6,000 or more not covered by insurance.  When checking out after a week in a private room the total costs to me was 182€ ($220)!! Thank you France!

What am I doing here in this "Coin Perdu"?