flashback: chez Caroline

A Dutch lady I met last july while on vacation in the French Alps recommended a book to me, which was available at the tiny local bookstore. A fascinating story written by an English woman who went skiing to the Alps, fell madly in love with a local taxi driver ... and left her city life as a stockbroker in London and settled in the mountains with the man of her life. I can't get enough of romantic stories like this one!

Savoie Fair - Dropping out and Fitting in is the real-life story of Caroline Guigonnet 's life over the last 11 years in the Belleville valley - dropping out of the City of London and fitting in to a village in the French Alps. It leads you through setting up her various businesses, from a restaurant to a taxi service, the good and bad experiences encountered on the way, and the subsequent ups and downs that have followed.

An insider's, view of local life in the mountains with the choir, village theatre group and the fun of building a house from scratch.

A poignant insight into the differences between France and England, the French and the English. Only the Channel separates them, but they are miles apart !

It's a fun book to read and re-read to me because I know the area where it takes place. And her small restaurant, which only opens in the summer for luncheons and afternoon cake, wasn't far away from the condo so we decided we would visit sometime.

We booked a guided tour one day, it was a short hike with a tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tart, our very favorite pastry!) as final . To our wonderful surprise it was Chez Caroline's!!

We have heard her restaurant is a friendly place but it is truly beyond words. The lunch crowd was gone as we arrived at about 3pm. Seating accommodations were organized, tarte delivered and after a little while (allowing the guests to enjoy the pastry) Caroline, wearing her apron, got out her accordion and started playing and singing (she participates in the local choir and she has a trained voice!) , all tables had the printed lyrics next to the menu so there was no excuse not to sing. Even I started singing although the traditional folk songs were all new to me ( and I am usually off key!).
It was such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the scenery was beautiful and a guest stood up and started playing as well:


Find some pictures below, hope the pictured guests won't sue me for posting their pics!! You can click to enlarge to admire the scenery below:

Did I mention there was some dancing of the French chansons as well?? it was such a fun afternoon! Our guides took us back through the forest to our village again. I think every neighborhood needs a Chez Caroline !

The flattering surprise for me this morning is this name plate made by our wonderful Barbara. Isn't it just great? Thanks so much, Barbara, I love it!