Day 11 - Barcelonnette to Montbéliard

Today was pretty much driving all day.  We were on the road by 8:30, and rolled in to Montbéliard around 17:30.  The drive was one of changing geography and scenery.  We went from the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region through the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to the Bourgogne Franche-Comté region.  There was some more spectacular scenery on the way.  The area between Gap and Grenoble was all stunning.  We have all agreed a number of times on this trip at how diverse this country is.  Each region has its own unique character and attraction.  It would be hard for anybody to come here and not find something they love about it.

As we passed through Grenoble, Amanda and I took in some familiar sites from when we went there in 2014 with the boys.  We spotted Le Bastille, les bulles - a téléphérique that goes from the town up to the Bastille, and Chamechaude which is the mountain the chalet we rented for a week was located.  From Grenoble on we were on toll highways which are so much more easy to drive than the mountain hairpins we have been navigating the past few days.

We made two stops in Valentigney today, the birthplace of my dad, and home of the Jossinet family for approximately six years from 1946-1952.  This is a place I have wanted to see for a long time now, and I was so happy to finally see it.  It was an interesting feeling to see the actual house that my dad was born in, and the one where him, my aunts and uncles, and my grandparents lived in.  I wish I could have experienced it with my dad standing beside me, but it was also very nice sharing it with Amanda and our friends, Gerry and Audrey.  They were all good sports listening to me tell family stories, and reminisce about the Jossinet clan!

In Front Of The Jossinet Family Home

Amanda Making Friends At The Jossinet Home - Church On Left

In Front Of Midwife’s Place Where Jojo Was Born

We are in Montbélier tonight, about 10 km from Valentigney.  Our hotel has a very nice restaurant attached so we decided to walk down for dinner, and had another amazing culinary experience!!

Pre-Dinner Aperol Spritz

Duo De St. Jacques Et Crevettes Snacké à la Plancha - Gerry

Mise En Bouche - Mandy, Audrey, JM (think delicious, creamy soup)

Cote de Cochon FC en Croûte d’Herbes du Jardin et sa Polenta Savoureuse au Olive - JM

Pièce de Boucher Grillée à la plancha et ses Frites Fraîches Avec Sauce Comté Du Jura - Mandy, Audrey, Gerry

Crème Brûlée à la Vanille Bourbon et sa Croustille au Perles de Sucre - Two Orders With Four Spoons

We are going to bed full and happy once again. Tomorrow we are off to Paris for the last few days of our amazing trip, with one stop in Clairegoutte at the original Jossinet family home (pre-Jojo).  Bonne nuit, mes amis!!!  À demain!!