Day 3

Paris was amazing, no doubt. Having been once before, although it was many years ago, I did have some recollection of the city once I was back.  

St. Emilion however, was an entirely new experience for me. The magnificent rolling countryside is as charming as it gets. We still had clouds to deal with, an occasional shower, a downpour even, but for the most part, the cool fall weather was the perfect setting for touring this town full of history... a delightful medieval village right in the heart of the world-famous Bordeaux vineyards. 

We arrived at the train station in Libourne

and drove straight to our chateau in St. Emilion.

Our backyard...

Our side vineyard...

Neighbors...

The short walk into town revealed more charming history complete with cobblestone streets and dreamy vineyards...

St. Emilion is practically synonymous with limestone. From the 9th to the 19th century, limestone blocks were painstakingly extracted and used to construct buildings in the town of Saint-Emilion as well as nearby chateaux.

I love the lantern...

Limestone everywhere I tell you! This church was literally carved out of solid limestone and is the largest monolithic cathedral in Europe. 

The setting sun provided beautiful lighting for our walk home...

And our first day in St. Emilion drew to a close... A private chef prepared a lovely meal including mushrooms carpaccio,

duck liver,

lamb (not pictured) and cheese...

This particular cheese was exceptional ~ like butter! melt-in-your-mouth

Apple crisp for dessert... as if dessert was needed.

More St. Emilion coming up!