We said au revior to sweet Auxerre this morning and headed south-west for the village of Fixin, near Dijion. Clive is purposely taking us on the scenic route, through beautiful open countyside and over narrow streets through old villages. It has been everything we imagined it would be.

One of the things I’d hoped to do on this trip was to visit Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, a very old village where some of the movie Le Chocolat was filmed. We did that on our journey today. It was just another door and another window, but Le Chocolat is one of my favourite movies, and to be right there where Juliette Binoche, Dame Judi Dench, Alfred Molina and that Depp guy acted out their scenes – it was pretty special. Plus, the house is for sale! I’m thinking it might be a sign…

Again, I can’t believe people are living their every-day lives in this gorgeous, storybook village. It’s seems magical to me. Maybe in reality their houses are cold, damp and draughty – I don’t know. But I just want to photograph every doorway and window so that I don’t forget a single one.

The St Genest Church features in Le Chocolat as well. Again, another opportunity to experience reverence and beauty.

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is also home to Les Anis de Flavigny, a famous factory and shop where wee aniseed sweets have been made since 1591, initially by monks. It is situated in an abbey – L’Abbaye de Flavigny – much of which has been buried or demolished. It is slowly being rediscovered and restored. We were able to venture down into the crypt and have a peak. Where’s Wally, oops I mean Clivey?

We had to leave this beautiful place to find our accommodation in Fixin. Poor Clive has developed a cold, so we found an after hours pharmacy to buy some meds (apparently they don’t sell paracetamol and the like in supermarkets here. I stayed in the car and chatted to Josh, who had just finished late shift. I’m missing my precious big boys (and also wanted to make sure the cats were still alive!). Needing some fresh air, I opened the door and set off the car alarm. Clive was inside the shopping centre with the key in his pocket. Embarrassante!

Maia and Sasha, here is a french snail. I didn’t this eat this one. xx

This blog has been finished in the car outside a wee restaurant in Fixin where we had dinner. The wifi in our accommodation is not so great. I guess that’s life in a small village.