Rambouillet
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 75: Well, who needs a sauna when you’ve got 68% humidity in Rambouillet? It’s like a free spa treatment for a gnome’s complexion! A nippy 6.4°C, but feels like 4.42°C. I tell you, my ceramic tootsies are feeling the chill! The wind’s at 2.68 m/s – just about perfect for gnome kite-flying, if only I had a kite. It’s overcast, but who needs sunshine? It’s just nature’s way of saying “Oliver, you’re too hot to handle.” Ha! Another day, another adventure. Let’s go! #GnomeOnTheRoam
Baguettes and Gnome Regrets!
On the 39.2km journey from Angerville to Rambouillet, my tiny legs got quite the workout! But no border crossings this time, so no language changes to fret about.
Now, I’m not just any garden gnome, I’m a garden gnome with a keen eye for detail. And what caught my eye on this stretch of journey was the remarkable Château de Rambouillet. This château is the summer residence of the Presidents of the French Republic, you know! Its breathtaking architecture and beautiful gardens had me in awe. A true testament to the saying, “La beauté est dans les détails” – Beauty is in the details.
So far, my journey has taken me 2106.3 kilometers across enchanting cities like Orléans, Fleury-les-Aubrais, Angerville and now, Rambouillet. That’s 75 days on the road for this gnome but who’s counting? (It’s me, I’m counting).
“Chaque kilomètre est deux en hiver” goes the French saying – “Every kilometer is two in winter.” So, technically, I might have done double the distance in gnome miles!
It’s been a fantastic journey so far, and I’m eager to see where my travels take me next. Until then, let’s keep the spirit of adventure alive with this local verse that I’ve grown fond of:
“Par les routes de l’histoire,
Sur les chemins de la mémoire,
Il faut savoir faire un pas de côté,
Pour regarder le monde en vérité.”
“Along the roads of history,
On the paths of memory,
You have to know how to step aside,
To look at the world in truth.”
A la prochaine, mes amis! Keep your spirits high and your curiosity higher.
Wandering Rambouillet’s Streets
Gnome’s Joyful Dabble
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Rambouillet.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Rambouillet: Baa-rilliantly Historical!
First off, the city’s crowning glory, Château de Rambouillet. This magnificent castle was once the summer residence of the French Presidents. As Voltaire said, “Le superflu, chose très nécessaire” (The superfluous, a very necessary thing) – and this château is nothing if not superfluous!
Secondly, La Bergerie Nationale, the historic sheep farm. Here, I’ve learned that the sheep were once serenaded by the symphonies of Ravel, a composer who found inspiration in their gentle bleating. Talk about music to one’s ears!
Rambouillet is not just a place, it’s a piece of living history. A city where the past and the present coexist, offering a glimpse into the soul of France. As they say here, “Vive la France” (Long live France)!
A bientôt (See you soon)!
– Oliver, the traveling gnome.
Game of Thrones, Rambouillet Style!
Rambouillet, a quaint city steeped in rich history, offers a unique food scene, celebrating local produce with a particular fondness for game meats. The Marché de Rambouillet, a bustling market, is a veritable cornucopia of fresh, local produce. One can’t leave Rambouillet without trying gibier (game meat), especially in stews. A local saying goes, “Le gibier, c’est le roi de la table” (Game is the king of the table). And let’s not forget the brioche de Rambouillet, a sweet, buttery bread that locals proudly declare, “C’est le meilleur de toute la France” (It’s the best in all of France). So, if you’re ever in Rambouillet, make sure you bring an appetite for both history and hearty French cuisine.
Gnome’s Guide: Rambouillet Rambles
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 