InTouch Travel

A one-time ballet dancer, the young Sabine France was a Paris-based flight attendant for Air France when met her future husband, Alain Bodet. They were married in 1964, moved to the town of Trévoux, outside Lyon, raised 4 sons and have 14 grandchildren.

You'd never believe it to look at her ... or to follow her around a walking tour of Le Vieux Lyon, Lyon's exquisitely preserved medieval quarter. She'll take you on a wonderful hide-and-seek walk through the traboules, the secret passageways that silk-workers would take to protect their precious fabrics from the elements. And stop for a crËpe from a sidewalk vendor, and duck into a church or a shop, always with a hilarious anecdote from the history books or comment on the morning newspapers.

She's a great companion for a visit to the Lyon markets as well. Or spend time with her in the vineyards of Beaujolais, half an hour north of Lyon.

Sabine France is accredited by the local and regional tourist boards, by the International Lions Club, and by tourist-industry associations like "Accueil en Pays Beaujolais" and "Accueil des Villes FranÁaises."

The Wine Country: Up Close with Sabine Bodet

Here are some of the sights you'd see on a visit with Sabine France:

Day One: we would directly go home, have a drink and a walk in our small town Trévoux, later on, dinner and you would stay in our chambre d'hôtes
Day Two: We could go and stroll in the Beaujolais region for a couple of hours, seeing or visiting private château, visiting a winery and tasting wines, stopping in a medieval village, seeing lavoirs (communal washing place) and pigeon houses. Then have lunch prepared by my husband Alain who is "the cook," and a very good cook at that. Then we'd continue toward Burgundy, stopping on the way for a visit of the abbey of Cluny, founded in 910 and rebuilt in the XI century by monks from the Benedictine order. And maybe visit Chateau de Cormatin, all renovated by the knowledgeable owners and splendid in a pretty park. We have our own country house nearby, "les Buissons" (the Bushes).
Day Three: An hour's drive through vineyards to visit Dijon, capital of the ancient province of the Dukes of Burgundy, walking and following the owl ?! yes there are marks having the shape of an owl on the street showing us where to go and a booklet telling us all the stories about people and houses. Lunch in front of the market. On the way back, stops in well-known vineyards, like Clos de Vougeot or Pommard or Meursault.
There's also the possibility to go to Beaune, with the famous Hospice and charming pedestrian streets, and a wine museum with tastings. Or Autun, originally a Roman town with monuments from the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, handsome private mansions and an active village life.

"Dear Sabine, please accept my thanks to you for the time and effort spent with us during our short but lovely stay in your country. I was very moved by the richness of cultural history as well as the beauty of the area, both of which were enhanced by your depth of knowledge and the pleasure of your company. A special thanks for showing us your lovely home. Any future opportunities I may have to visit Europe will be colored by my wonderful experience in and around Lyon. Thank you."

— Nancy Sparirio, Stamford, CT

"Ron and I had such a WONDERFUL time! The afternoon with you in the 'vieux Lyon' was something we will remember the beauty of always. The next day in the countryside was beyond words. We loved all of it and very much enjoyed all the stories you had to tell of each village. It was a memorable trip that was made even more special by you."

— Cathy & Ron Granville, San Carlos, Calif.

"The day that we spent with you in the Beaujolais was delightful. Yes, we could have toured on our own but probably would not have seen as much, would have gotten lost, and most important we would not have met you. France is beautiful and the people were so kind and helpful to us. One of my most vivid memories is that of you singing to us from the hymnal in the small church we visited. Thank you for sharing your time with us. We had a wonderful trip!"

— Florence Box, Starkville, Miss.