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Le Vermont par ses villages et ses auberges
Ruel, Sylvie
I love Vermont. Yes, I love Vermont for its green mountains, its open space, small clean villages located in the valleys, for its covered bridge that you find here and there in the countryside. I love Vermont for its peacefulness and its beauty. Would you believe that I haven't seen one rusted car left in a middle of a field, or garbage of all kind around a farm or old tires piled up behind a garage. Not once I saw neon signs, lighted commercial lights or different type of building beside nice Victorian homes. Nevertheless, there are 600,000 people living in this small state which is the size of the Laurentians; it's the Vermonters that are proud of their Vermont and it's for this reason that a drive in the land of John Irving is a pleasure.
I often drove through Vermont without stopping once but this time, I went to enjoy its inns, the quality of its food and the authenticity of its villages. These villages are full of boutiques, antique shops, and country store. Along the roads, you can find cheese making factory, orchards and wineries.
My first stop was in the village of Hyde Park. I left my bags at the Governor's House, which is a Georgian mansion, yellow with white columns. Built in 1893 by the governor of Vermont for his family, this house was one of the only house spared by a fire which destroyed the village in 1910. Now, Suzanne Boden is the host of this charming B & B which keeps and shows the soul of her house. This 8-bedroom house still has some gas lamp and marble fountain. We can find there, fireplaces, woodwork in every room and stain glass window. In the living room where you will find a library, Suzanne Boden offers high tea in the afternoon, enjoying English sandwiches, scones with wild berry jam and cream. The owner pampers the guests with many special things. In the evening, the guests may go to the Hyde Park Opera House located across the street to attend one of the performances.
From there, it takes just a few minutes to get to Stowe, on of Vermont's most popular destination. You doubt me? In this very small village where live 4300 permanent residents, we can find 55 inns, 50 restaurants and 75 stores located along it's main street. Recently, the Stoweflake Mountain Resort opened a very modern spa: 50,000 square feet with it's indoor waterfall. Skiers love Mount Mansfield, Vermont's tallest mountain with its 4400 feet; however, Stowe remains a 4-seasons destination.
Visitors also come to Stowe to stay at the Trapp family lodge, managed by Johann Von Trapp, son of the baron Von Trapp and Maria (you know the story). This large rustic inn is built on top of a mountain surrounded by a scenery similar to Austria, native land of the Von Trapps. Maria and her husband are buried in a small cemetery, located by the Inn.
I took a winding road to visit Craftsbury Common, a small village with 1000 people built around the town square where you can sometimes have craft fairs and other events. The classical Inn: "Inn on the common" welcomes guests looking for peace and tranquility. It's also know for it's 135 kilometers of trails located around the village.
Coming back along route 100, I found the charming village of Waitsfield with its covered bridge, stores, white steeple church and antique stores. A few mile away, there was the tiny village of Warren with its country store and the Pitcher Inn which is a member of the Relais & Châteaux. Every summer, an opera festival is held at the Pitcher Inn. Note, that the country stores in Vermont are just wonderful and it's hard to leave any of them without the sound of the cash register! These country store even have their own association (vaics.org). As of the covered bridges, there are 106 in Vermont and they are well taken care of.
One evening at the Pitcher Inn has left me with great memories. Abandoned for many years and burned down in 1987, the inn was purchased by the Smith family in 1990 and renovated by 8 different architects and 200 craftsmen. A different architect designed each of its 9 rooms and 2 suites. Let me tell you though, that its quite different. The rooms offer different settings like you would find in a theater, from the president's room, the Masonic Hall or stables. Prices vary from $330 to $660 US per night including breakfast. The dining room is very nice but for a meal to remember, have a romantic dinner in the wine cellar. Up to six guests can sit at the table surrounded by 8500 wine bottles. The chef, Sue Schickler, comes up with different menus based on seasonal items. That night, the menu offered duck, beef, lamb and cod. The sommelier, Ari Sadri, suggest a wine to go with each part of your meal. This place is intimate and charming. Perfect for marriage proposal and the like. If you are planning to propose or not, count on full evening to enjoy your meal.
À savoir
Info Vermont : 1-800 Vermont www.vermontvacation.com/francais
Illustration(s) :
Près du village de Crafstbury
Catégorie : Vacances/Voyages
Sujet(s) uniforme(s) : Cuisine et restaurants
Taille : Long, 822 mots
© 2004 Le Soleil. Tous droits réservés.
Doc. : news·20040918·LS·0119
Ce matériel est protégé par les droits d'auteur.Tous droits réservés.© 2004 CEDROM-SNi
