Luciole Blog

4th – 10th June 2023

Our very dear family had a combined 900 years of age. Of course we had to celebrate, so on Friday night in Auxerre, chef Nicolas whipped up a sumptuous chocolate creation.

It was another week of warm weather, though it did rain once for a very short but intense moment in the morning, dousing the streets of Noyers-sur-Serein in a surprise torrent. In the afternoon it was sunny again and Captain Jim’s parents joined the Luciole for the cruise. In the evening, a glorious sunset, during the walk back from the mid week restaurant visit, promised another good day of weather for Thursday.

In Vézelay, we stepped into the cool, calm basilica a haven of peace, and a monument to Romanesque and Gothic architecture. St Bernard preached the Second Crusade in 1146 from Vézelay to send King Louis VII and Elinor of Aquitaine on their way to the Holy Lands. Another remarkable woman from this period was abbess and composer Hildegarde de Bingen, who was greatly influenced by St Bernard. On days like this, when the Basilica is so quiet, one only has to close one’s eyes and imagine the heavenly sound of nuns singing Hildegarde’s divine sacred chants.

Here is to the next 900 years – it certainly was sad to see you go. Passenger Jim, I will think of you whenever I listen to Hildegarde de Bingen or indeed, King’s College Choir of Cambridge.