une Canadienne en France

My travel guide/buddy (aka Umi) planned a day trip last weekend to the town of Voiron. It is a 15min train ride from Grenoble and home to the famous Chartreuse distillery. She hooked me with the “free tour and tasting” so we (Umi, Caitlin, Ashleigh and I) set out early Saturday morning for a mini-adventure.

First, we toured through the distillery and tasted the famed Chartreuse. The cellar is gigantic, with huge oak barrels over 10 feet tall. The history of this elixir was quite interesting as well. The highlight was of course, the tasting of the Chartreuse. It has a very distinct flavour and was so strong we couldn’t even finish our glasses (mind you, it was only 11am by this time).

Chartreuse Cellar

Chartreuse – where the name for “Chartreuse Green” originated

After our tour, we found our way to the huge outdoor market in the centre of town (of course) and then to the large city park for a picnic lunch. We had brought all goodies to share and had a yummy lunch in the sunshine. Afterwards we visited a famed chocolate shop, and saw the token cathedral and drank coffee on a patio. All in all, it was a fabulous day!

I love markets!

Umi was so excited to see the petting zoo (and subsequently live animals)

The Cathedral

Umi – are your feet not touching the ground?