After four days of hard work hiking the highs and lows of the sensational French Alps, we finally found salvation: Refuge de l’Aiguille Doran. Known as one of the best, more luxurious refuges in Vanoise National Park we were in for a heavenly night of fine wine, chef-prepared french food and delight. I could hardly wait!
Here is the owner’s lovely stone house….
The inside was just as delightful as the outside. Beautifully appointed rooms with the heavenly scent of fresh French cooking drifting out from a specious kitchen. I knew we were in for a delicious treat.
After a luxurious hot shower it was time to dive in and celebrate with an apres-hike treat. It was just as delightful as it looked and no, I didn’t share…
Next came the best Vin de Savoie of the entire trip! We had to have two bottles, it was that yummy.
My dad stuck primarily to beer:
We had a wonderful afternoon just taking it all in and relaxing in such a beautiful place. The only downside was that this refuge is actually accessible by car, meaning people from the village below can come up for an evening stay in a “mountain refuge” without the hike. A group of two french families decided to come along with their lively children. So much for peace and quiet!
We decided to also join in the fun and play a little boule, a french sport. The view was so fantastic and the wine was so good! Ah, everything was wonderful and we hadn’t even had dinner yet! But the delicious mesmerizing smells were floating through the open windows of the refuge making us hungrier by the minute.
Finally around seven o’clock after a tortuous wait of enduring such savory smells, it was time to eat. And eat we did! My only regret is that I didn’t capture more pictures of our fabulous french meal! I was too busy eating!
After an exceedingly memorable meal with lots of wine, cheese and laughs, I couldn’t resist taking a blurry (hmmm….did I have too much Vin de Savoie at this point) photo of the sugar packet. The name “l’Instant Plaisir” (instant pleasure) brought roars of laughter across the table. Poor fourteen-year-old Jonty. We were corrupting him! Sometimes adults can be worse than adolescent boys!
After dinner, I snapped a few photos of this memorable place. It was truly a special night that we would never forget.
Bon soir…..
This post is a continuation of my series on my hiking trip, Tour de la Vanoise. To read more of these posts, click here. It also is in honor of Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post: Delicious. To read more entries to this theme, click here.
What a great journey!
What a lovely place in the Alps. I’d like a piece of that pie, yum!
OMG – Amazing photos – thanks for sharing!
You can get fine wine, chef-prepared french food in the Vanoise National Park! That is so impressive!
“Bon soir” is beautiful!
i like that totally cool building
Thanks! 🙂
I really love your preparation for this week theme my friend , Thanks for sharing your stunning photography 🙂
Wow, the food looks incredible and view–TO DIE FOR!
Hugs,
Kathy
What a reward for those four days of trekking – I can see why you put down your camera after the cheese plate!
Good Evening: Drat–I’m hungry again. Also, that second photo from the bottom is brilliant. Vonn Scott Bair
Reblogged this on " Una Voz en el Silencio ".
Thank you so much for the reblog! I appreciate it! 🙂
Thanks and greeting !
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I hike twice for that dessert… 😉
You really did dine in style, and with unbeatable views too. 🙂 Great photos, Nicole.
Great post! Keep up the good work… I have been several times in the Alps however I was far from getting so nice photos… Thanks for sharing…
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the photos! 🙂 More soon…
I just knew that you would manage to fit mountains in to this somehow Nicole
Of course! You know me too well now! 🙂
Fantastic photos 🙂 what an awesome place to visit 🙂
Thanks! It was wonderful!