A few days ago I had one of the best surprises in my life: a friend of mine, I have known more than 20 years ago, contacted me. I haven’t seen him since. He asked if I would like to join him in Burgundy/France just for two days. Of course my answer could be only one: YES!
I lost contact with him long ago and only a couple of years earlier I ‘found’ him on Facebook and contacted him. He was very happy to know about me and we remained in touch. But to see each other is a little tricky as he lives in Hongkong and me in Europe.
So this time he could make some spare time in between his tight scheduled stay in Europe and we had the chance to see each other.
Very excited and curious the day before our meeting, I got into my car and drove direction Turin, as I stay in the moment in Northern Italy.
The road to enter France I wanted to take was the Fréjus Road Tunnel. Thought this is the best way to enter the country and drive up to Burgundy on the motorway.
The Fréjus Tunnel is 13 km long (help!) and runs under the Col du Fréjus in the Cottian Alps. 80 % of the commercial road traffic is using this road between Italy and France. The cost for one way is high: around 43 €. Taking a ticket for the way back as well costs only 54 €. That is a better deal but still expensive, I think. The tunnel is nothing for people who suffer of claustrophobia! I had really serious problems after a while. It is very long!
Baldonecchia is the entry and Modane is the exit. And exactly there I finally found a place where to park and sleep in the car.
The very next morning around 7 a.m. I started my journey to Beaune, my destination to meet my friend.
Along the road I found a bar open and could get a coffee. First attempt of my French speaking as I just learnt it two years in school. It worked, I got my coffee. And no, I used a full phrase! I had a banana sitting outside as well before looking for the right road to take.
Being confused with the motorway sign color I ended on the national road instead on the highway. That was the best! Not only because no tolls but especially I passed through a lot of tiny villages and an amazing country side where I could stop every time I wanted to.
I took a road along the river Arc. High mountains, green green water and an amazing nature. The river is only 128 km long, coming from Italy and ends in the Isère River.
I passed smaller villages and saw a huge difference to Italy: all are well maintained even being very old. Flowers everywhere, many places called as well ‘flower village’.
I had a short stop at the Lac du Bourget (Bourget Lake) which has at his furthermost end the city of Chambèry. On the side I arrived there is the famous bath Aix-les-Bains. I stopped in a village just opposite to enjoy a great view.
Leaving the mountains I headed towards Bourg-en-Bresse, Maçon, Chalon-sur-Saòne and then Beaune. The only place I really then got lost (no GPS, I am old fashioned) was in the end in Beaune. Could not find the hotel as I got into the town from another side than I remembered on the (Google)Map. Asking for direction didn’t help even, none knew exactly where to go. And it was not my bad French knowledge as it is still enough for asking for help and maybe light conversation.
Finally I got to the Hotel and could knock at the room door where my friend was waiting. My heart was pounding, I was a little tired and a lot excited. He opened the door and.. it was like no 20 years have been passed but just 20 days. He is still the same, a little older of course but exactly how I remember him.
Thank you my friend, I had such a great time with you in Burgundy, and you made me feel comfortable and not even one second like a stranger. Just a long time friend.
Turin/Italy to Beaune/France:
