In Europe, the last week of October is called All Saint's Week, and the kids are off school. We had planned to drive into France for the week and relax in the countryside. For the first 3 nights, we stayed in the village of Cirfontaines-en-Azois. It's a petite, charming village in the Champagne region of France. We found the perfect gîte (farmhouse.) The gîte that we stayed in was a 200 year old barn renovation. It was lovely. We had plenty of space to cook in some nights, and we enjoyed the cozy warmth of the wood burner. Our time in Cirfontaines-en-Azois was so relaxing. The owners have an outdoor pool, but it was too cold to attempt that. Instead, our favorite thing to do each day was bike ride through the quiet country roads. Each morning, we woke up and started a fire in the wood stove. Mike went out to the street in front of our place and met a bakery truck for morning croissants. This was definitely one of his favorite activities. One morning, he had a conversation in French with an 80 year old woman who was also waiting for her treat. The slow pace of life in this sweet village was exactly what we needed for our break. Here are some photos of the stunning countryside and our fabulous gite:
The gîte
beautifully renovated
Our bedroom which the owners said used to be a chicken coop.
The boys slept in what used to be the hay loft.
outside terrace and pool beyond
Another barn on the property, but it's not really in use
beautiful Autumn colors
Hello, handsome men!
The owners of the gîte had bikes that we were able to use
horses at a watermill
the watermill house
The villages were picture perfect
This road was free of traffic and so quiet
Biking riding through the French countryside is a fantastic family memory
Vineyard for producing Champagne
Pretty
Mike found a place "for sale!" Keep dreaming, my love.
Check out these fields! I believe it's a rapeseed field.
For some reason, our children love taking these cockeyed photos!
Good morning, breakfast! (from the bakery truck)
The church across the road from the gîte
Here, they hang a bag out for the bakery truck to deliver le pain, the bread.
Two happy cyclists!
The 2 houses you see are the owners' house and our gite (this is the backyard view)
Bienvenue à France! Welcome to France!
Pretty fields and view of Cirfontaines-en-Azois
I still need to ask the owner about these little brick buildings in the middle of farms. They appeared to just have a stone fireplace and stone floor. Perhaps they were refuge for passer-byers or for farmers working late in the old days? I will find out.
Cirfontaines-en-Azois
Well, hello there!
Cirfontaines-en-Azois is an ideal place to relax and just enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside. Thankfully, it's only a 4 hour drive from our house, so I know we will be back to this beautiful place.
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