The second distillery I visited was Christian Drouin's. A quarter of an hour's drive from Deauville in Normandy, time has stood still. The green valley landscape of the little river Touques opens up into a half-timbered dream via a gravel path. The picturesque 17th century estate is the home of Calvados Christian Drouin. Calvados is produced from more than 30 different varieties, for which Drouin has been awarded over 200 gold medals. There is also a gin available in 4 different flavors. Made from apples, of course. It is the only gin that is based on the Eau de Vie de Cidre from around 30 different apple varieties, the distillate that is produced after the first distillation process of Calvados production, in addition to neutral spirit distillate. I liked it a little better here than at Château Breuil, as it is a little more informal and not quite so touristy.... Kisses 😘
Let's continue with the other two big "C's" of Normandy: cider and calvados. I visited 2 large distilleries in the area. First up was Château Breuil, an old castle in the heart of the Pays d'Auge. A remarkable building made of red bricks and half-timbering from the 16th-17th century, situated in a large park with hundred-year-old trees and listed as a historical monument. Around 22,000 apple trees grow around the castle. Calvados is nothing more than a delicious apple brandy. For 1 liter of Calvados, you need 27 kg of apples or 20 liters of cider with 5% alcohol content. The cider is double-distilled to preserve the calvados. The Château du Breuil is an "AOC Pays d'Auge", i.e. it bears the Appellation d'Origine Controlée seal of protection and also the guarantee that only apples from the Pays d'Auge region were used. Kisses 😘
After a seafood breakfast, we headed across the "Pays d'Auge" landscape and through the typical Normandy countryside on the trail of one of the big "C's": Camembert. In the village of Camembert (it exists!). It is tiny, but like the whole region it is surrounded by an idyllic landscape of pastures, orchards and half-timbered manor houses. Other typical gourmet cheeses from the region are Livarot, Pont-l'Évêque and Neufchâtel, which are all produced here and bear the AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée - controlled designation of origin) label. You feel like you're in another world in this landscape - light years away from the stress of everyday life! Kisses 😘
France means: lots of enjoyment! Let's start with absolutely fresh seafood! Freshly caught at the market in Trouville-sur-Mer. From the fishing boat to my plate. And as I love the Brettljause in Austria, this is my Norman Brettljause! And it was all for me! Accompanied by an excellent white wine - what more could the heart (almost) want at that moment? Kisses 😘 Location: Trouville-sur-Mer (France/Normandie) Fish market
After Utah beach and Pointe du Hoc, we continued on to Omaha Beach. Omaha Beach is a ten-kilometer stretch of beach in Normandy where American troops landed on June 6, 1944 as part of Operation Overlord. Omaha Beach is one of those sad and bloody landing sites where the Allied troops suffered their greatest losses. Here is the "World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial " located today. On a cliff overlooking the beach, around 10,000 white crosses, some with a Star of David, are lined up in white stone, all pointing precisely towards America. Numerous American soldiers who gave their lives in the Second World War, during the first stage of the Norman battles on June 6, 1944, found their final resting place here on 70 hectares of land. The names of 1557 missing Americans are engraved on the walls of the semi-circular garden on the east side of the memorial. In the memorial center there is an impressive exhibition with exhibits commemorating the landing.
„Omaha Beach was a nightmare…. Every man who set foot on Omaha Beach that day was a hero!“ (Lieutnant Gerneral Omar Bradley). No more words needed. THANKS! 🩷
„Pointe du Hoc“ is a rock in Normandy that rises 30 meters vertically above the beach. The beach area is only about 500 meters wide. It was a strategically important defensive base for the German troops. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, a US Ranger battalion of 225 soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder landed at the foot of the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. The Rangers scaled the cliff at great cost due to the shelling of the Wehrmacht soldiers stationed there for defense. Only 90 of them survived. 😢 This battle went down in history as the Battle of the Rock Needle. The view from the bunkers towards the sea is oppressive. It was a long way to the German soldiers' positions - especially at low tide. Unprotected. Thoughtful kisses 😘
The D-Day beaches of Normandy. During the Second World War, the peaceful beaches of Normandy went down in world history. While the whole of France was occupied by the Germans, the United States, Canada and Great Britain joined forces and formed an alliance to liberate Europe and put an end to the terrible war. On June 6, 1944, at dawn, the first Allied troops landed on Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Throughout the day, almost 155,000 soldiers and 20,000 military vehicles landed on five famous Normandy beaches: Sword Beach, Juno Beach, Gold Beach, Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. Here I am on Utah Beach. It's all so peaceful. It's hard to imagine the terrible battles that raged here! Kisses lost in thought 😘
When strolling through the old town of Honfleur, you will inevitably pass the old harbor basin in the heart of the town (Vieux Bassin), in which the picturesque, slender fishermen's houses are reflected. The Lieutenance stands directly on the quay and watches over the old harbor basin with its corner towers. It is a remnant of the 16th century fort, then the residence of the royal lieutenant. Next to it is the Porte de Caen, part of an old city gate. You can eat very well in incredibly cute restaurants and pubs. I always recommend, because I would almost die for it, a platter snack: cheese, cold cuts, butter, bread - that's enough! Enjoy a good glass of wine.
By the way - coming from the north, you can reach Honfleur via the Normandy Bridge: it is also known as the "harp over the Seine" and is one of the largest bridges in the world. On one side is Honfleur, on the other side of the Seine estuary, modern Le Havre awaits you. Especially in the evening, the view from my hotel La Ferme Saint Siméon over the colorful harbor of Le Havre is unbelievably beautiful!
Strolling through Honfleur, you can discover the narrow houses, charming alleyways, picturesque half-timbered houses typical of Normandy and the remains of the fortifications (Lieutenance). A highlight is the church of Sainte Catherine, a 15th century sailor's church made entirely of wood. Just let yourself drift through this literally picturesque little town. Chocolate shopping is excellent. In the 19th century, Honfleur became a center of artistic activity. Painters such as Courbet, Sisley, Jongkind, Claude Monet, Pissarro, Renoir and Cézanne came to the Flower Coast and often met at our hotel La Ferme Saint Siméon. It used to be a farm and, as mentioned yesterday, is considered one of the birthplaces of Impressionism. Kisses to you 😘
Honfleur is a French commune and port town in the department of Calvados in Normandy. It is a jewel and an absolute highlight of Normandy. Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of the fishing village, its small streets, the colorful half-timbered houses and the harbor basin with numerous restaurants! I booked the Hotel La Ferme Saint Siméon. A beautiful hotel with a view of the Seine estuary. The cradle of Impressionism - Monet is certainly one of its most famous guests and also painted the house in which La Boucane restaurant (see pic 3) is located. An impressive house from the 17th century - equipped with every modern comfort! The bar serves excellent wines and cocktails! So if you're ever in the area, make sure you go to Honfleur and take a look at this hotel! Kisses to you 😘
Yesterday was the day again: I lived out one of my hobbies. Cooking. 10 courses for 13 guests. Everything is completely homemade. Including tagliatelle, baguette, buns, brioche, dips, mayonnaise and ketchup. Excellence wines to go with it. Now it's time to relax after tidying up today.
The translation for the menue: Greetings from the kitchen Grilled oysters with spinach and bacon crumbs (For the children: mini burgers)
Goose liver praline With hazelnut, quince, butter brioche For children: Balsamic pork fillet
Homemade tagliatelle With truffle, parmesan For children: Pasta with pesto, my mother: Pesto Vongole)
Beef bouillon With homemade marrow dumplings and sherry
Grilled lobster tail With lemon butter, romaine hearts, baguette Children: Fish fingers
Raspberry sorbet With mint and almond crunch
Grilled fillet of beef Red wine jus, triplets, beans wrapped in bacon
Coconut crumble with mango and apple Wild berries, brittle, vanilla ice cream
Last day in the Normandy in our Hotel „La Ferme Saint Siméon“ in Honfleur with a fantastic view into the Seine estuary. Today: Off home with my Mustang Pony. Kiss you 😘
Apart from yesterday's rainy day, everything went well. D-Day beaches with memorials, Calvados and Camembert tasting, Mont Saint Michel, seafood in Trouville.... And: lots of photo shoots. That was Normandy 2024. Tomorrow I‘m heading back home. More detailed impressions to follow!
When Christo & Jeanne-Claude call, I go wild. 🩷 Even if it's posthumously. 😢 What a sight. The Arc de Triomphe covered. What a great show in an enchanting city. Kisses 😘 Go to Paris whenever you have the chance!!!! 🩷
I was in the mood for breakfast in Paris ..... 🩷 Paris is definitely always worth a trip! Stroll through the streets. Let yourself drift. Enjoy the city, good food and delicious wine. If you want to go to the Eiffel Tower: better book your tickets in advance! By the way: I'd like to introduce you to one of my great passions. My constant shadow: a Rhodesian Ridgeback lady. Almost 10 years old, goes by the name of Aziza, which translates as "treasure" or "the precious one".
A lot of kisses 😘 to you from the „Grachten“. Amsterdam has an estimated 200 canals (calls „Grachten“) and around 1,000 bridges. Bicycles and boats are THE means of transportation in Amsterdam, as you have to wait an average of 7 years for a parking space here and thus tend to do without a car! Not only are the canals practical. They are also incredibly beautiful! In summer there is a real traffic jam of boats on the canals! Bicycles: It's unthinkable to be without one in the Netherlands. I can't believe how many we saw in Amsterdam. Watch out if you're driving a car. Zack is one next to you! And they always have right of way! The advantage: you can get from A to B quickly, it's quiet and environmentally friendly. What more could you want? Kisses 😘
Amsterdam - my first time in this city! Love it! Beautiful houses. And on a tour with a nice skipper on the „Grachten“ (small canals through the city) I learned a lot about the history, why the architecture is like it looks and and and! It was amazing! You must do such a tour! Definitely! Kisses 😘
Next to the shopping I also did a bit of tourist sightseeing. In Amsterdam you will find the Imperial Museum with the famous „Night Watch“ painting by Rembrandt from 1642. One of the most famous paintings in the world! VERY impressive! Apart from the great building. I like beautiful and varied architecture also.
Cheers…. Last working-day is coming! 🩷 Beside a really good wine a sexy cocktail 🍸 is also great from time to time! Glad that we have some nice bars in our area! Kisses 😘
Good things are sometimes so close! Bruges! An exceptionally beautiful city! If you have the opportunity, you should definitely visit it! I love traveling! To discover new things. So come along to Bruges this week and be curious! 🩷 Kisses 😘
