No wine and cheese tasting on Saturday, but we did see some beautiful sites.
First, we visited Les Hospices de Beaune, a hospital founded in 1443 as a charitable institution. Most buildings I've visited from that time period are churches or castles. Or castles or churches.
Honestly, those big grand places tend to worry me. I can't help but wonder how many "commoners" suffered in poverty to fund such massive projects. So it was good to see at least one trace of medieval benevolence. Still pretty ornate, isn't it?
The beds lined the walls of a long room that felt almost like a chapel.
After this, we headed to the town of Vézelay. Back in the day, thousands of pilgrims used to climb up to this basilica to pay homage to the relics of Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of prisoners.
When our guide told us we were about to see the most beautiful Christian basilica in the world, I didn't quite believe her. Saint Peters', anyone?
But then I walked in the doors.
I could write a novella on the experience, but let it suffice to say that the airy, simple beauty of this basilica took my breath away.
And, of course, I cherished my long breath of fresh country air.
This is what it's like to feel alive.
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