Had a busy day today, but the weather was a bit rainy. Our first adventure was a trip to the ruins of Cluny Abbey. The ride to the abbey would have be truly spectacular if it were not raining. The vineyards were a beautiful golden color and the rain only muted this a little. We also drove past the fortress at Berze-le-Chatel. A remarkable fort perched high on a hill.
Burgundy Vineyards in fall
Fortress
When we got to Cluny, it was still raining, so it was umbrellas and rain jackets. Fortunately much of the tour was inside, but we still got a little wet. The most interesting thing was the monks built a huge church and complex in the middle of nowhere. Before the church itself was partially destroyed after the French Revolution, the church was the biggest in the world. The French used the site as a stone quarry and it took about 40 years to destroy much of the church. Fortunately, much of the transept, the top of the cross in most classic churches, was intact.
Cluny Tower and partial transept
Walking in the rain touring Cluny
Inside Cluny
One of the Cluny outbuildings
In the afternoon, we went to taste some Burgundy wine. First, burgundy wines are all either chardonnay or pinot noir. But based on where the grapes are grown, the wines made from the “same” grapes can taste very differently. We tasted three whites and one red. All were very good, but we liked the Pouilly-Fuisse best.
Wine chateau
Cellar
Us at the Chateau
Vineyards at the Chateau
After the wine tasting, we drove by the landmark Solutre-Pouilly. This is a formation that many people climb. Fortunately the rain stopped and we got out and took pictures.
Solutre-Pouilly
Then drove back to the ship through more beautiful wine fields. This was a busy day and tomorrow will be less busy.