Probus members savour French lifestyle, wines

An overnight stay at the Coquelles Holiday Inn was the prelude to a very comfortable journey southwards on the excellent Crusader coach.

Towards lunchtime the boulevard peripherique afforded us striking views of such well-known Paris landmarks as the Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower as we crossed the Seine. Our eventual destination was Semur en Auxois in the Cote d'Or.

The next day, a brief stop at the charming Nuits St George, was followed by a visit to Beaune, the highlight of which was the hospice, a fascinating Gothic building founded in the 15th century. It remains richly endowed with wealth produced by some of the most famous vineyards.

Later, at the stately Chateau of Meursault, we sampled famous but rather expensive wines. The next morning, we had a conducted tour of Semur on Le Petit Train which took us down narrow streets alongside the river Armancon and then up the hill to the magnificent Collegiate Church of Notre Dame.

Later on, our guide, now attired in splendid 14th century costume, took us on a more detailed walking tour of the town, including the church and one of the remaining towers of the ruined castle.

Two further wine tastings had been arranged for the Wednesday, both in the north of the region.

At the Cave de Bailly, in a converted limestone quarry, the selected wine was the lightly sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne which was much enjoyed by everyone.

Chablis, a delightful little town on the river Serein, was the next port of call, where this very celebrated wine was tasted in the surroundings of a modern wine cellar.

The final day saw us travelling northwards via Troyes, Rheims and the tunnel before arriving safely in Bognor, well stocked with wine, at the end of a happy and successful tour.