The last time I came to France was three years ago for my graduation ceremony. Back then, I didn’t really travel around—just met up with classmates and said goodbye to a chapter of my life.
This time feels different. It didn’t take long to adjust to—and even forgive—Paris’s quirks: the grumpy service, awkward English, and the metro that smells less than charming. But Paris always redeems itself with little bits of magic: bumping into festival-goers dressed to the nines, catching impromptu piano performances at train stations, and the playful balloon decorations at Bercy Village. Jolie, on the other hand, had a less magical moment—she got chased by pigeons until she ran away in fright.
After more than 30 hours of travel for me (and 15 for her), we finally arrived at Mâcon Ville station. There we met Olivier, the owner of a Beaujolais winery, who kindly picked us up. Having hosted many WWOOFers, he slipped right into tour guide mode, pointing out good restaurants and well-known vineyards. Olivier himself seems like quite a character—this is how he introduced himself:
After twenty years running around the world (Europe, Asia and Africa) to work with small farmers, I wanted to go to the other side of the mirror, find the peasant gestures, the freedom of the peasant, the pleasure of producing wine … Here I am, small wine producer in Beaujolais, here with my family since 2017 … Organic wine of course, a little biodynamic too, and most of all : working with my horse, Rosie….
Pleasure of exchange of ideas, experiences, transmission of my (little) knowledge, helping others to see the reality of the work of wine producer, the challenge of starting a second life…
Since we only got in a little after eight, the evening was just a quick dinner and then straight to washing up. I’ll share more next time about the house he recently bought and is now renovating.
Olivier also told us about his horse, Rosie, who we’ll get to work with tomorrow. And to keep her company? He got her a donkey. Yes, really—so she wouldn’t feel lonely.
More fun to come—check out the video below 👇👇👇
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