In that case, you are welcome

[newfydog]

We thought we figured out a nice little back road cut off on the Vezelay route. It was a great dirt road, but ended behind someone's barn. We thought we'd discretely walk around it and get back to the road. We ran into a rather aristocratic looking gentleman:

"monsieur, ce domaine est privé"
"Sorry", We replied in bad French "We are pelerins, a little bit lost from the Chemin St Jacques."

"Ah, In that case, you are welcome!" he replied in elegant English. "Turn left past the barn and I will open the gate so that you may get back to the route"

We turned left, and I snapped a quick photo of our very understanding host's home:

 

[Gailsie]

All I can think to say is WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Great photo

 

[Pei2spain]

Oh, Mon Dieu! That's some house! What did the barn look like! LOL

 

[Anniesantiago]

Whoah!

 

[newfydog]

It is amazing, the French attitude toward private property. Obviously, a place like that would want a bit of privacy, but trespassers are not seen as someone who should be shot. Most farm and vineyard roads are open to hikers and bikers. In the area that we mountain bike in the south of France, the only vineyard which is gated and closed belongs to that Brad and Angelina pair. If you can see a route on Google Earth, you can probably bike it.

In the US we see signs like "if you can read this, you're in my range" Anything private is gated and locked and an honest mistake may result in an angry confrontation. In France, a couple muddy pilgrims on bikes were treated with grace and class.

 

[Susan hopes]

Aiy dios mio!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

We thought we figured out a nice little back road cut off on the Vezelay route. It was a great dirt road, but ended behind someone's barn. We thought we'd discretely walk around it and get back to the road. We ran into a rather aristocratic looking gentleman:

"monsieur, ce domaine est privé"
"Sorry", We replied in bad French "We are pelerins, a little bit lost from the Chemin St Jacques."

"Ah, In that case, you are welcome!" he replied in elegant English. "Turn left past the barn and I will open the gate so that you may get back to the route"

We turned left, and I snapped a quick photo of our very understanding host's home:

View attachment 19615

Oh, my HEAVENS! That must have been a stunning, stunning surprise! This photo is incredible.

 

[Kiwi-family]

....and then he politely closed the gate!

(actually, you know what? You were probably talking to the butler or the gardener)

 

[Lachance]

....and then he politely closed the gate!

(actually, you know what? You were probably talking to the butler or the gardener)

Speaking elegant English?

 

[newfydog]

....and then he politely closed the gate!

(actually, you know what? You were probably talking to the butler or the gardener)

No, he had just gotten out of a fancy black sedan, and was wearing some sort of riding pants. Just the way the lord of the estate would look in a movie. The whole episode was a bit surreal.