Elsien's Traveblogue
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas Eve
Walk along the beach at Palavas, deserted, except for some crazy surfers. I just love deserted beaches like this, out of season, grey ... The Mediterranean is kind of greenish.
It wasn't cold though, just grey and as there was a chance of rain we didn't dare go to far from where there are cafés – all closed on the Promenade, but plenty open in Palavas itself. Had an amazing lunch of something called 'Pastaioli', pasta with fish and seafood in a very garlicky aioli sauce, yum!
Off home for our own Christmas Eve supper of oysters, boudin blanc, foie gras, various other bits 'n pieces with 'proper' champagne.
Christmas Day
We love the botanical garden in Montpellier, the Jardin des Plantes. It is the oldest botanical garden in France, started in 1593 during the reign of Henri IV, and managed by the University of Montpellier. Most of the garden was added / planted in the 19th century, including an amazing greenhouse full of cactus plants and other succulents. We went there for a little walk before our Christmas lunch, as the weather was rather grey and I feared we might have a spot of rain as well.
It was lovely – we met only one other couple there who turned on their heels as soon as they saw us … Good, we didn't want to see them either!
Walked back through the historical centre of Montpellier, which was pretty quiet, but Café Riche on the Place de la Comédie was open, so I could have a Christmas beer and J. a 'chocolat à l'ancienne', where the hot melted chocolate comes in a little glass, separate from the hot milk …
Then home for our Christmas dinner, a mixture of French and English traditional with Dutch touches
Walk along the beach at Palavas, deserted, except for some crazy surfers. I just love deserted beaches like this, out of season, grey ... The Mediterranean is kind of greenish.
It wasn't cold though, just grey and as there was a chance of rain we didn't dare go to far from where there are cafés – all closed on the Promenade, but plenty open in Palavas itself. Had an amazing lunch of something called 'Pastaioli', pasta with fish and seafood in a very garlicky aioli sauce, yum!
Off home for our own Christmas Eve supper of oysters, boudin blanc, foie gras, various other bits 'n pieces with 'proper' champagne.
 | |
| Opening the oysters |
 |
| Eating the oysters |
Christmas Day
We love the botanical garden in Montpellier, the Jardin des Plantes. It is the oldest botanical garden in France, started in 1593 during the reign of Henri IV, and managed by the University of Montpellier. Most of the garden was added / planted in the 19th century, including an amazing greenhouse full of cactus plants and other succulents. We went there for a little walk before our Christmas lunch, as the weather was rather grey and I feared we might have a spot of rain as well.
 | |
| One of the paths - I love the subtle colours |
 |
| Bits of gold |
 |
| Love this - bamboo forest, well, little one! |
It was lovely – we met only one other couple there who turned on their heels as soon as they saw us … Good, we didn't want to see them either!
Walked back through the historical centre of Montpellier, which was pretty quiet, but Café Riche on the Place de la Comédie was open, so I could have a Christmas beer and J. a 'chocolat à l'ancienne', where the hot melted chocolate comes in a little glass, separate from the hot milk …
Then home for our Christmas dinner, a mixture of French and English traditional with Dutch touches
 |
| Festive table |
 | |||
| Half finished already - was delicious! |
Archives
August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 March 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 February 2009 September 2009 December 2009 February 2010 March 2010 June 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December 2010 February 2011 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 June 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 December 2012 March 2013 April 2013 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018
