"'cause I'm saving all my love for you..."

France - I was saving all my love for France.

Not to be down on all the great places that we've been, but this is what it's all about and today reminded us of why we chose to be here.  We've been limping along with our French, but for the most part, people understand and respond to our needs.  Often they'll be so fooled by our calm, ultra cool french demeanor (you know how I like to talk with a cocked eyebrow whilst bobbling my head) that they'll respond in rapid (normal speed) french.  Only after looking at our saucer-wide eyeballs do they get that we parles pas francais.  This just makes me want to learn it all the more.  

So began our 3 week tour around France to find a place to live and study.  First stop: Rennes.  A small town in Brittany that no one ever speaks of, but we got a tip from someone that they loved their time here.  We quickly ruled it out - not because we didn't like it, au contraire (will they accept Wayne's World french?), it was really charming and lively...only too small .  We spent the early afternoon at what I call a "tree" park, but it was really a botanical garden showcasing all sorts of different plants and not just trees.  We wound our way through the old centre in the late afternoon, studying menus to look for a dinner spot.  It was a good food day, meaning that everything that I ate was delicious and delighted me.  

For dinner, we went to a small restaurant called "le Presse Puree".  Ordered food from a hand-written chalkboard and sat back with a glass of white wine from Nantes.  I had a brochette of alternating beef filet and duck breast on vegetables and a side of frites and P had a filet of "lieu" (a white fish) in a red butter sauce, mashed potatoes with pureed broccoli.  His was the winning dish, but mine was tasty all the same.  The restaurant was lovely and the food was nice so we took our time and stayed for coffee and dessert.  Our server was kind and helpful, and sent us off to Bordeaux with a restaurant recommendation (he's from there) and 2 caramels made with salted butter (special to the region).  But this is what it's all about right?  Taking our time because it's so nice to be exactly there - pleasant ambiance, good company, tasty food from an honest menu and service that comes from a kind and thoughtful place.  Even if I can't eat like this all the time, I want to always remember that eating and dining can, and should be so.

 

Old city centre of Rennes

Lunch at the tree park.  Sandwich of jambon de pays, cornichons and beurre.  It's one of those things where you just had to be there.

Roasted chestnuts sold out of the back of a train engine.  I would not have it any other way.  

P freshens up his glass at le Presse Puree

Le Presse Puree

34, Rue Vasselot

Rennes

02.99.79.48.10