roses and the middle ages

Kara lives in a tiny town not too far from the medieval city of Provins. She exhanged places with a family of five, who lives in a former relais, or inn. I counted four bedrooms and an office on the second floor, and the third floor is one huge rumpus room. While she's rattling around in a house way too big for one person, her exchange partner and family are squeezed into her little place in Spokane. The trade may not be equal, but her house in France has a lot of charm and potential, and as usual, I dreamed about what I'd do with a place like that!

We spent Saturday visiting Provins, a city which seems to be just as famous for its roses as it is for its medieval fortress walls. In one shop, we were treated to samples of rose honey, rose jam and rose & honey candy. Carla, the owner, not only runs the boutique, but cultivates the flowers and the beehives and makes everything herself! I bought a few jars to offer as gifts on the next leg of my travels. Laetitia, one of Kara's friends, joined us for lunch and gave us a little tour in the afternoon before inviting us over for tea and cake.