May 22 - Sunday Cluny Abbey & Saone River cruising

 

History, history, and more history!   I can't get enough!   Today, we visit and learn about one of the most important and biggest abbeys in Europe in the 10th & 11th centuries!   Over 1,000 monks prayed there daily during this time, and then traveled to spread their influence.  By the 12th century, 1,450 abbeys and 10,000 monks made up the order of Cluny!   More on the abbey .. a bit later.

I had phone picture transfer problems last night so didn't get a chance to include some from later in the day.  Our English gentlemen dinner friends took some excellent morning sunrise pictures. Here's one from Stephen.

Here's a few pics from yesterday afternoon's river cruising.

We had a special lamb dinner last night.

Ama Waterways belongs to the 'La Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs'  and one dinner every cruise celebrates this.

We woke up in the town of Macon.   Here's our 'daily cruiser' :

After breakfast we went to the top deck for a pic before boarding our excursion bus.

On the way to Cluny Abbey we stopped to take a pic of the castle at Berze-le-Chatel.   Construction started in the 10th century.

Cluny Abbey.   This first part of the complex was built in 910AD.

It grew and grew.  1130 was the height of its power.  Construction continued.   It was the largest church in Christendom until the completion of Rome's St. Peter's Basilica in the early 17th century.  Only 10% of this remains.

These were the bases for the columns in the 'nave'.

The monks ate a lot of bread.  This building stored their grain & flour.

Interestingly, the noble's first son inherited most of his father's wealth and took over the property, the second son inherited a smaller portion and became a monk, the third son joined the musketeers/army.

This is a pic from Jan looking up in one of the towers :

One of many small chapels :

Remember, what remains is only 10% of the original!    This was an interesting lesson in history.   As we were walking back to the bus we noticed that on a large section of the abbey grounds is a horse stud farm and several dressage training arenas.   Napolean created this stud farm in 1807.   Thoroughbreds, draft/work horses, and a sporting pony is bred here.

We drove back to the boat for lunch.  A wonderful chicken dish.

and .. dessert !!    Joe's  then  Jan's :

We then enjoyed an afternoon of watching the river banks go by.

We navigated through a set of locks, approx. lowered 15 feet.

For dinner tonight we signed up ourselves and two other couples we met on the pre-cruise Geneva portion of the trip for the special 'Chef's Table'.  Here's what we'll have:

Concasse Heirloom Tomato with Mozzarella Carpaccio, Grilled Tiger Shrimp with Tahini Humus, Cauliflower Veloute with Marzipan, Pan Fried Salmon with Pumpkin Mash, Raspberry Sorbet, and for those who want beef : Argentinian Beef Short Ribs, with Sweet Potato Fondant and Heritage Carrots and Broccoli, and 'from heaven' :  Salty Caramel Chocolate Tart with Lime Macaroon and Mango Sorbet with Fresh Berries .... whew!!

Look at the number of implements!   When do we use each?

Here we are after a champagne toast (and going thru a lock!) :

Enjoy a few pics from the different courses.

What a wonderful and special meal to share with new friends!   The AmaCello was cruising towards Lyon for our next day's excursions.   Here's a few pictures coming into Lyon.

This is the Museum of the Confluences (of the Saone & the Rhone) :

Another fun-filled day!  Good food!  History lessons.   Tomorrow we go up to Fourviere Hill in Lyon and then cruise to Vienne to visit the well preserved Roman ruins that inspired Thomas Jefferson.   See you there!