Le "pont", the festivities continue...

After a glorious day of sunshine on the 14th, le 'Pont', the Friday commonly taken in France to extend a Bank Holiday weekend, appeared to take a turn for the not-so-great.

Holiday makers, locals and passer-bys were undeterred from a spot of drizzle and Bistrot Les Tontons continued to exude les sentiments des vacances as the terrace and festivities reflected.

As the evening drew in the ambience moved inside the wine bar - those choosing full dining residing at the tables and those casually sharing a glass or two of wine stood at the bar enjoying a plate of charcuterie.

With an atmosphere accueillante et chaleureuse it was no surprise the evening ran into the small hours!

Le 14 juillet - Bastille Day

Glorious sunshine bathed Saumur as the days festivities to celebrate le 14 juillet, Bastille Day, got underway colourfully set up along the edge of the Loire river.

Not wishing to miss out on the day ourselves Constance, Augustin and I made our way to Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur not only to see 'Papa Beaumont' and enjoy a diablo but to meet our dear friends Hélène, la marraine (God-Mother) to Constance and her husband Laurent.

Having been exposed, for many years, to Géralds wines and home cooked cuisine both Laurent and 'Hélène La Gourmande' were especially happy to experience the result of our much talked about venture for 2011, whilst Hélène went one step further and pronounced Bistrot Les Tontons as the new venue for 'lunches with the gals' - I for one will look forward to this!

Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

With much of Saumur cordoned off to traffic for this weekends festivities Fridays deadline deliveries were unable to reach us and albeit this wasn't quite to plan there was much to do in preparation for the now opening of Bistrot Les Tontons on Tuesday 05 July 2011.

BEFORE

Gérald and I viewed the then called Cafe La Grange back in March where upon first sight it resembled the Pompidou Centre, Paris.

Since signing on 21st June the future Bistrot Les Tontons has undergone a vast transformation.


WORK IN PROGRESS

For those of you who know Gérald from Domaine de la Paleine you will be delighted to learn Gérald will continue to represent the Domaine.

Further more the wines from Domaine de la Paleine will be available to enjoy during lunch and dinner and can be purchased directly from la cave at Bistort Les Tontons.

In addition, Loire Valley Uncorked will continue to provided privately conducted wine tasting tours at the Domaine de la Paleine and NEW for 2012 - wine tastings & river boat trips on the Loire river held on Domaine de la Paleines own private la toue, river boat.