Cynthia Caughey

Projects Beyond Articles

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My Highly Reviewed Ebook: The Expatriate's Roadmap to Successfully Moving Overseas is on Amazon. 4.7 stars out of 5.    $4.99. 

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Sample Pages from My Chambery E-Guide Book

 

Combe de Savoie

 

Once enjoying significant importance as a crossing point for a number of strategic Alpine routes, Combe de Savoie has largely lost its importance and has been reduced only to a viticulture region. The fortification of Combe de Savoie was entrusted to the Lords of Miolans who had their seat in the fortress of Miolans, now offering a spectacular view to the tourists. The past importance of this area is still apparent from the number of castles dotting the region. Once a symbol of defense, Come de Savoie now entertains the wine lovers and has altered its recognition as the crossing point of Alpine routes to The Wine Route of the Combe de Savoie. The whole Savoie Department owes its wine varietals to Combe de Savoie. Acres of maize fields and vineyards producing the best of grapes, with the sunny parishes lurking behind the beautiful orchards, add to the scenic beauty of this place. The villages lie between Montmelian and Mercury.

 

French Cycling Federation (FFC) has enhanced the status of Combe de Savoie by arranging tours and providing the access of its 270 km of hilly tracks to the mountain bikers.

 

Aix-les-Bains

 

A visit to Chambery is incomplete without visiting its sister city, Aix-les-Bains. Bordered by the Lac du Bourget and Annecy, Aix-les-Bains lies at the foothills of the Alps at the foot of Mont Revard. The Temple of Diane and the Arch of Campanus are the two chief reminders of Aix-les-Bains’ rich Roman heritage. The Chateau de la Roche du Roi is representative of the Belle-Epoque architectural era.

 

The Museum of Dr. Faure houses some classics of 19th and 20th century paintings, including those of Cezanne and Pissaro. The museum also has a spectacular collection of Rodin statues. The casinos and the spas of Aix-les-Bains also trace their history back to the 19th century, when the town reached the heighth of its prosperity. The bank of the Bourget lake is beautifully adorned by flowers and plantations, a characteristic of the Roman influenced French town. It is notable that the Promenade du Lac is the largest inland port of France. There is a common practice in France to reward their cities and towns ‘flower awards’, known as the Ville Fleurie or Town of Flowers. To date, Aix-les-Bains has been awarded “4 flowers” for its flowering talents. It is one of the very few French towns to have won the national flower prizes consistently. Noteworthy parks include the Parc Floral des Thermes and the Parc of Bois Vidal.

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Buy my Chambery Eguidebook at Smashwords for $2.99.

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Itinerary I Designed and Wrote for My French Alps & Provence Tour Company

 

                                      

                                                                  

 

Our Best of the French Alps and Provence Tour is designed to show you the ‘real’ France in all its stunning beauty. See two of the most beautiful regions of France in one tour. From majestic mountains to crystal clear lakes, you will come to love the breathtaking alpine views. The colors of Provence with its lavender fields, blue shutters and red ochre hills will enchant you. The cuisine is excellent too, as demonstrated by our cheese, wine, and olive oil tastings. The history will seduce you with the regions’ Architecture and Art, Old Towns, Roman Ruins, and Medieval hilltop villages. And as if that wasn’t enough, see pastures filled with colorful flowers while listening to the sounds of Alps cow bells, or fields covered in lavender near a famous Abbey. This tour savors the gentleness, lifestyle and beauty of the French Alps and Provence in the same way you would savor a fine wine. You’ll come to agree this is a unique tour not to be missed!

 

Day One, Saturday – Pick Up and Yvoire on Lake Geneva

Pick up from the Geneva Airport or Hotel or the Annecy Train Station between 9am and 11am. We recommend that you arrive the day before due to the early pick-up and because this day will be spent touring.After pick-up, we'll take a drive through the historic center of Geneva and then head to Yvoire, a French medieval village which sits on Lake Geneva. We'll explore the town and have lunch before heading back to your Aravis Chalet Lodge in the mountains overlooking Annecy, France. If time allows, we’ll make a short visit to the famous La Clusaz ski resort for a little sightseeing and shopping. A welcome dinner will be served at the hotel. Meals at the lodge are prepared by a professional chef and are not typical hotel cuisine. Coq au Vin, wild berry tartes, lamb chops smothered in fruit and rosemary sauce - these are samplings of previous tour meals.

 

Day Two, Sunday – Mountains and Glaciers

In the morning we will do a sightseeing tour of the stunning scenery of the Col des Aravis on our way to Chamonix. In Chamonix, you'll take the cable car up to the top of Aiguille du Midi (left photo), a 12,600 foot mountain in the Mont Blanc mountain range, to see the magnificent views. There are several viewing platforms where you'll see breathtaking views so bring your camera. In the afternoon, you’ll take the train up a mountain to the Mer de Glace (Glacier) where you'll have the opportunity to walk through the glacier's colorfully lighted cave of ice or just view the Glacier itself from the observation decks.

 

Day Three, Monday – Local Food Specialties, History and Medieval Annecy

In the morning, we’ll take a tour of the Maison de Patrimoine, a restored ancient chalet/farm and, time permitting, visit a pottery workshop of a local artist, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy pottery at below market rate prices. We'll visit the village of Grand Bornand and then take a driving tour of the local Alps landscape and visit a traditional fromagerie (cheese making farm). June is ‘flower season’ so you’ll see many varieties of rare and colorful flowers dotted throughout the pastures and mountains on our drive. You will have lunch at the farm's restaurant, Rustic Refuge, and indulge in the local cheeses of the Col des Annes, including Reblochon and Tomme de Savoie. Savoie is known for some of the best cheeses in the world. Later, we’ll make a stop at the French Resistance Memorial and Museum in Thones to learn about the acts of bravery of the local heroes during War World II. The French Alps were a stronghold for the French Resistance during the war. Then on to the Medieval town of Annecy, known as the Venice of the French Alps with its numerous ancient canals running throughout the town. Annecy is surrounded by majestic mountains and sits on one of the most beautiful lakes in France.         

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Day Four, Tuesday – To Provence - Wine Tasting and Visit to Historic Avignon

Today we leave the majestic Alps and drive to the rolling violet hills of Provence. We will arrive in Chateauneuf du Papes for a wine tasting at Verger des Papes, located just yards from the ruins of the Pope’s Palace, which date to the 1300’s. The Popes of Rome moved to Avignon during the 14th century and built their Palace in the city and their vacation homes in the vineyards. The views from the ruins are stunning and the wines you’ll taste are among some of the best in this famous wine region. Chateauneuf du Papes was the first region in France to launch the AOC regulatory institution to ensure the quality of its wines. Wander the tiny village of Chateauneuf du Papes and partake of more wine tastings (free), if you like. The final stop of the day will be the historic city of Avignon. Once a tiny port town on the Rhone, the arrival of the Popes in the 14th century transformed the village into a powerful center of politics and religion. The magnificent Popes Palace, historic architecture, street performers and lovely shops will enchant you.

 

Day Five, Wednesday – Ancient to Modern History, Romans to Van Gogh

The morning will be spent following the footsteps of the Romans from the 1st Century BC, and Van Gogh of the 19th Century AD. Wander the narrow streets of Saint Remy de Provence, discovering squares, attractive boutiques, street performers, and art galleries that make the town’s historic center so appealing and lively. Outside the city is the Saint Paul Hospital/Mausole where Van Gogh spent his final days. It is also where he painted 150 of his paintings. You will see some of the very scenes that he painted onto his canvases, and have the option to go into the Hospital to see the room where he stayed. Across from the Hospital are two of the largest monuments of the Glanum Ruines, dating to the Romans in the 1st Century BC. We’ll make a photo stop before moving on to Nimes. Nimes is a typical Provencal city with some of the finest Roman architectural remains in existence, including the Amphitheatre and the Maison Carrée. The Maison Carrée is one of the best preserved temples to be found anywhere in the territory of the former Roman Empire. Also, well-preserved is the Amphitheatre which dates from the end of the 2nd Century AD. If you are a history buff, you’ll enjoy this visit immensely. Not to be missed is the Pont du Gard, just outside of Nimes. The Pont du Gard aqueduct is a 31 mile structure built by the Romans to carry water from a spring at Uzès to the Roman colony of Nimes. The aqueduct was primarily built underground and took a long, winding route that crossed the gorge of the Gardon, which required the construction of an aqueduct bridge. Thus the Pont du Gard was born. Dating to the 1st century AD, it is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and is the best preserved. After our visit we’ll head back for a Provencal dinner and an evening of relaxation.

 

Day Six, Thursday – Luberon and Lavender

Everyone loves a Provencal Market so we’ll take you to one of the best at L’Isle sur la Sorgue. Their Thursday morning market and antique stores are famous throughout the region and you’ll have some time to browse and buy. The city has canals running throughout - each canal dotted with water mills which date to the 17th and 18th Centuries. Known as the ‘Island City’, the inhabitants once lived off fishing, and the silk and paper industries used the water wheels in the river for manufacturing their local products. The water mills offer a unique photography opportunity and the town gives you a feeling of being surrounded and ‘hugged’ by the canals. On to see the lavender fields of the Senanque Abbey. The fields have the enviable reputation of being the most beautiful lavender fields in Provence, particularly from a photographer’s perspective. We’ll stop for a photo opportunity before moving on to visit the characteristic, Provencal hilltop town of Gordes, which dates back to pre-Roman times and was a religious center until the 12th Century. Today it is known for its scenic views, medieval streets and quaint shops. Next is Roussillon, another lovely hilltop town with stunning views, each framed by the red ochre cliffs for which the city is so famous. Stroll the city and, if you don’t mind pink feet, take a 30 minute easy walk on the ochre trail to get an up-close look at this amazing red clay which was used for centuries to make red paint.Day Seven, Friday – Baux de Provence and Arles Baux de Provence offers scenic views, unique shops, and ancient architecture. The town is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The hilltop town’s outstanding Medieval and Renaissance heritage, combined with a sense of hospitality, make it the "Flagship of Provence". Outside the town are olive groves, olive oil mills, and vineyards. A special treat, also minutes away from Baux de Provence, is the Carrieres de Lumiere, a stone quarry turned into an art gallery. This is a ‘must-see’ event. The exhibits change seasonally but the concept remains the same: projecting works of art onto towering white blocks of stone, creating a unique and dramatic work of art.The afternoon will be spent in Arles, another historic, walkable town; we will be accompanied by a professional guide who will bring the history and culture of the city alive. The visit will include the Roman Arena and the Roman Theatre, as well as walking in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh

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Sample Recipes from my E-Cookbook of the French Alps and Savoie: "French Comfort Food"

 

Tartiflette

 

Some of Savoie's favorite regional foods utilize their exceptional cheeses, including a wide variety of 'Tommes,' which range from soft to hard. They are all fabulous. This recipe for Tartiflette will use Reblochon Cheese, another Savoie favorite which is similar to the Tomme cheeses in taste, except it's stronger and smellier. Reblochon is made from a cow's second milking and aged in cellars or caves in the mountains. The cheese maker turns the cheese every few days and washes it with whey to speed the aging process. Reblochon has a creamy texture and a nutty aftertaste. If it gets over-ripe, it becomes hard and unsavory.

 

 

Ingredients for 4 to 6 persons:

- 2.5 lbs of potatoes which is about 8-10 medium-sized potatoes

- 1 ½ cups of diced smoked bacon/ham - 1 onion, minced - ½ cup of liquid crème fraiche (or heavy cream)

- 1 Reblochon cheese wheel the size of a large brie wheel (or substitute with a mild semi-soft white cow‟s milk cheese) – about 1 lb.

- 1 cup of dry white wine (Apremont wine from Savoie is preferred)

 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Peel the potatoes and boil them until a knife cuts easily into the flesh. When finished, drain and leave to cool. Mince the onion and the bacon and sauté in oil a couple of minutes. Butter a gratin dish. Cut the potatoes in thick slices and cover the bottom of the dish with the slices. Add the onion and bacon. Pour the cream on top. Cut the cheese in half and place on top of the potatoes. We cut most of the rind off but it's a matter of personal choice. Add a cup of dry white wine. Bake in the oven until the cheese melts and browns on the surface (about 20 - 30 minutes).

 

Tartiflette is such a staple in Savoie, I see bumper stickers that read: "In Tartiflette We Trust."

 

To get my French Alps Ecookbook, French Comfort Food, sent to you free, just message me on my Contact Page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARTREUSE SOUFFLE

 

Makes 6 servings:

- 6 egg whites

- 1 cup superfine sugar

- 4 egg yolks, lightly beaten

- ½ cup Chartreuse, green

- ½ cup milk

- ¾ cup flour

- 5 tablespoons butter

- Zest of 1 lime

- Powdered Sugar for sprinkling on top

- Butter and white sugar for coating the ramequins

 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Butter and sugar 6 ramequins. Melt the butter, add the milk, and bring to the boil. Stir in the flour and make a roux. Stir in the Chartreuse. Keep stirring until well mixed. Add the egg yolks, take off the heat and keep stirring until smooth. Set aside. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then whisk in the sugar. Fold the egg yolk mixture carefully into the egg white mixture and pour into the ramequins. Fill to about 7/8th. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar, sprinkle with lime zest and serve immediately. Serve with Chartreuse liqueur. To find the liqueur, you will have to go to a specialty liqueur store.

 

"Chartreuse is an herbal liqueur with an interesting history. It is made by monks in the region of Chartreuse, 30 minutes from Chambery. The Chartreuse Order of cloistered monks was founded in 1084, and is one of the oldest religious orders in Christianity. They started making the liqueur in the 1700's as an Elixir in order to support the Order financially. Chartreuse monks are contemplatives, dedicating their lives to listening in silence to God. They actually remain in solitude in their monastery and run the distillery in Voiron by computer! Only two monks know the secret recipe.

Chartreuse has an herbal flavor that is not appealing to everyone."