Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: More on Burgundy

Bright Hope painted by Libby Page

Our season in France is winding down. I wondered, since we have been going up and down the Burgundy Canal whether there is anything more to write about. Those who know me would say that I’m not one to run out of words. They would be correct.

Our captain mentioned that a young lady he knew was having a one woman show in Lyon and that I might like her work. Tom and I are always up for an adventure. An artist reception sounded like a nice change of pace. We climbed into our car and set off on what was to be a 2-hour drive. I believe I have mentioned previously what weather can be like here in France. The violence of the rain and wind as a storm blows through can be frightening, especially if you find yourself driving in it! You know where this is going. 3½-hours later we were finally in Lyon. The idea of a leisurely dinner before the reception and seeing part of Lyon vanished with the storm. Instead we arrived in time for the show. Libby Page is the artist. Before anyone else had a chance we bought one of her paintings! The gallery owner wrapped it up and we took it home with us that evening. It barely fit in our little car. With Julian scrunched in the back we somehow managed. It is now framed and the focal point in our living room. Libby Page is a new artist trying to build up a body of work. Fortunately for her she seems to be selling her paintings as quickly as she can paint them. libbypage.eu. Libby’s inspiration comes from the Canal du Midi where she worked on a hotel barge. The magnificent plane trees growing along the canal have become infected with a fungus and are being cut down. Her paintings are a tribute to those trees. I love her sense of color and perspective as well as subject matter. I have included a few more samples of her work. Well done Libby Page!

Artist Libby Page

What would you do if you had more money then you could spend in a couple of lifetimes? In 1979 Michel and Christophe PONT purchased Chateau de Savigny. This included the Grand Chateau from the 14^th Century and the Petit Chateau 17^th Century. They are quality wine makers. I can confirm that their 2007 Meursault-Genevrieres Premier Cru is fantastic! I didn’t have time to taste their reds. It isn’t because of their wines that we went to visit the chateau. This visit was for Tom. Located in the heart of the Cote de Beaune the chateau overlooks a magnificent property of 12 hectares, crossed by a river, which originally supplied the moat of this old fortress. The owner is a collector and continually adding to his assemblage. It’s no wonder they needed so much land.

Chateau de Savigny: Grand Chateau 14th Century plus a few of their vineyards

Chateau de Savigny: Petit Chateau 17th Century

Beautiful grounds with jets in the background

F104, F16 and French Mirage in front of the Grand chateau

The Chateau houses one of the major motorcycle museums of France displaying nearly 250 motorcycles of almost all types dating from 1902-1960. There are 600 model cars. You can see the Abarth Race Car with one of the finest and most rare collections of Abarth prototypes in the world. There are 60 different models including some unique ones, which the owner of the castle personally drove when he participated for 7 years in international racing events. It must have been challenging getting all those cars upstairs in the chateau and squeezed into those tight spaces. Next there are airplanes, which include about 80 fighters on the property including 4 aircraft of the Patrouille of France, 11 MIG and 17 Dassault. That isn’t enough. There are nearly 3400 model airplanes. Then come the Straddle Tractors: 30 prototypes on display built between 1946 and 1956. Let’s not forget the wine and wine growing equipment and finally firefighters. Nearly 20 Firefighting trucks in their own building. It was all overwhelming not to mention extremely musty and dusty. It appears the owner would rather collect than maintain and clean the huge assembly of vehicles both full and model size. Anyone interested in anything on wheels should take the time to visit Chateau e Savigny.