Paris1972-Versailles2003

I have the opportunity to come to our memorable dear region of Seine et Marne dept 77 of the Ïle de France region in my belle France. The boys wanted to be back to Disneyland Paris and need to go along with their decision; it was our third time there. We book the forfait Disney parks and hotel, and came with my Dad and our dog Rex.

However, just 2 or 3 days before, we got news the husband of my dear late wife Martine youngest sister had passed away from a cerebral cancer at age 48! So we took the road warrior routine to be at both places at the same time. We took off from home at 3h30 (3:30 am) using toll roads to get there quicker on the A11 A10 to A4 direction Meaux and then Saint Soupplets just north of it. We got to the funeral home on time going around Meaux on the N330.

We had the opportunity to say our farewell and condolences to the family and attend the religious ceremony in the Church St Pierre et St Paul of Chambry (see post) where the sister lives nearby to her father, my father in law. The church is from the 15C damaged during WWII in 1940 and restored after the war. Once this duty was over we headed for Meaux.

We passed by the wonderful Cathédrale St Etienne (see post), and the train station very memorable for me. From here we went to our hotel but will put the action we did on the way back to the fromagerie Saint Faron. The cheesemaker is near the wonderful WWI museum or musée de la grande guerre (see post).

I have written before on all these monuments and the Brie cheese (see posts) just to tell you we did purchase again the real Brie cheese; the king of cheeses and the cheese of kings Vienna Congress of 1815. The unfortunate thing is that the process was not patents so now is done everywhere. However the original is done here with cow’s milk from the Brie region and the Meaux is the best ,simply. We, also got the mustard of Meaux of kingly fame and the local beer of Meaux.

Before we left the town of Meaux we had lunch in the place Henri IV on the Brasserie Le Vintage. (the news update brasserie closed! ) The resto is a new place but the area is very sentimental to me walking it for many times since 1990, initially with my Frenchie. We had different dishes from chicken to steaks to me fish and chips with the local beer de Meaux and my crème brulée all for 22 euros per person; good! 

We finally hit our hotel the Village Nature Paris by Center Parcs and part of Pierre & Vacances group. Brief, the apartment was impeccable nice just beautiful surrounded by trees and shrubs like in nature. However, the parking was 200 meters away which is a problem especially as we had elderly Dad the manoeuvre of deposit and go get the car was tiring. Also the extras are with extra payment and need to go walk to them like the bowling and walking far from the apartment is not convenient to us. The service for the beers is slow as you need to pay for them and then they bring it to you,too long! Othewise, nice experience for the family including our dog Rex! Hotel webpage: https://www.centerparcs.fr/fr-fr/villages-nature-paris-journee

Part of Disneyland Paris hotels, their webpage on them: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-us/hotels/villages-nature-paris/

There you go folks, a nice trip shame we had to do our family duties first, it is sad to go and even more when so young and father of 2 boys. Life is short , enjoy it fully when you can I know the experiences. The hotel ok, the visit to Meaux is always uplifting bringing back many memorable moments in my life; always remember the town and especially my dear late wife Martine, a native sweet girl.

Be ready for the whole story on Disneyland Paris next. And remember , happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!