"SAP Meeting, But WHERE? Please Help if You Know!" Cernay-la-Ville Travelogue by NC_Ziggy

Cernay-la-Ville Travel Guide: 11 reviews and 28 photos

Lost in Space/Lost in France/How about just Lost?

I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found!

After viewing this travelogue, please come back and click here The Abbaye des Vaulx de Cernay! for an in-depth look at this marvelous place with pictures provided from their website. The pictures on this travelogue are my own, except for the big one here. Do you see me? ;-)

The Plot...So, this is the story... As you have seen, I was in France for a meeting of a global team that was implementing SAP for the company I worked for at the time, a large French company with facilities world-wide. We were bused to this "secret" location without being told where we were going. We were there for 3 days and two nights and I would LOVE to discover the name and location for my sanity and for YOUR BENEFIT as it was such a beautiful and tranquil place! Can you help me??? Name the place and the winner will have their name and award posted on my Home Page for ALL to SEE!

Clue # 1... I hope you have one... I don't!!!

Does this Ring Any Bells? As in Abbey Bells?

A few (very few) clues...The ride to this place was about an hour or a bit more outside of Paris. It was a former Abbey and if I remember correctly, I think it was 300 years old! The picture you see here was the "premium" lodging facility and also housed the offices, the banquet hall, kitchen, and a few cozy, intimate rooms for informal gatherings and conversation. Oh, and there was a small bar, too!

The meals that we had here were absolutely, positively awesome! The best of French cuisine and a fine selection of wines served with lunch and dinner. In keeping with the "American business practice," maintaining proper decorum don't you know, we did not have wine with lunch... :-( But, we did our part at the evening meal! :-) We had assigned seating during the lunch and dinner meals so that all attending would have the opportunity to meet and get to know one another. I was especially fond of my counterparts from Belgium... Very friendly, nice, and humorous fellows. And, they gave me a European tip that I will share with you in the Warning/Dangers category because that's one I seldom get to plug into... Surprised??? Well, I'm just not a "warning/danger" kind of guy!

So, do you know where I am yet???

Are you getting warm?

The Meeting Place

Where We Worked...This building was actually a lot larger than it appears in the photo... This was taken from the back and as you will see in the following picture, the area to the right is a neat and lovely courtyard. The group picture was made here.

Have you been here? Do you know it yet? No pressure... I've lived without knowing for several years now... I guess I can wait a little longer.

Take the Tower on the Left...

First Night's Lodging...

The Plot Thickens...Ok, this is where the story gets interesting, at least to me... you may be bored to tears. Because there was such a diverse and extreme distinction between the various sleeping quarters, we were diplomatically assigned our room the first night and then moved to another room the second night. This was so all could experience both spectrums of the stay here and I think it was a pretty equitable way to do things. But what the hell do I know?

My first night's room was here... take the tower on the left, go up the dark, narrow, winding staircase and your closet, err, I mean room is on the left, top floor, backside. It was nice but truly like sleeping in a closet- it was sooooo small! I don't know how, but they managed to squeeze in a very tiny shower and toilet in what I suspect may have formerly been a tiny closet. I don't consider myself especially claustrophobic, but this was about as close to feeling it as I've ever experienced! Did I say it was a small room? Did I?

I was glad to leave as I had to be near the bottom of the accomodations on this night... Lordy, Lordy! Little did I know that I was about to be tranferred and transformed to heaven!

Can you tell me where I was? You're sure taking your time with me! ;-)

Now this is more like it!

The Entrance to my Domain...

HELLO TO ME! You may call me "Your Eminence"... lol I guess we've all known that power and position has its priviledges, da? And so it must have been for the Big Boys way back then too!

Actually, this was room # 2 in the rank of accomodations and I can only imagine what room # 1 was like. To tell you the truth, I don't even care...

Life is Good, Lewis! "Trading Places"

Ahhhh... This is Nice!

Please come into my parlor... May I pour you some champagne? Now this is Sweeeet! Too bad I'm only here for one night! I could get used to this...Believe it or not, I actually sat in every chair in the place just to get the ultimate experience just because I could!

Yes, Indeed! Quite Nice!

The Other Side of Nice...

Oooops! I nearly forgot this was a "mystery" page! Have you guessed it yet? As we leisurely stroll to the other side of this vast and cavernous abode, you will see the dressing area so richly and conveniently appointed for you, My Love... Can I get you anything? Caviar? Champagne? WHAT??? Cigar!!!

Stayed tuned for the Royal Finale! We're just getting warmed up! Be sure to see the conclusion on the travelogue below. You really should, you know.

Page Updated Mar 29, 2008
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Written Mar 29, 2008

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Reviews (10)

Comments (23)

Callavetta Dec 24, 2007 at 12:41 PM Report Abuse

Merry Christmas Steve! I hope 2008 is a perfect year for you.
Jim_Eliason Dec 5, 2006 at 5:44 PM Report Abuse

great tips!
icunme Apr 14, 2006 at 5:01 PM Report Abuse

Thoroughly enjoying both versions here. Will return often - great photos/tips. Ciao, Carol
iandsmith Jan 6, 2006 at 11:52 AM Report Abuse

Mmmm, how tempting
vesna04 Dec 11, 2005 at 5:28 AM Report Abuse

Ha,ha,ha that Number One Room seems much bigger than my whole flat. Well done Steve !!!
Hexepatty Oct 14, 2005 at 6:42 AM Report Abuse

That costs/profit formula works. I love you! (Yes, I'm all mush when it comes to a man that knows his way around a P/ L statement!)
Tina-Perth Aug 5, 2005 at 6:44 AM Report Abuse

You really liked that Abbaye des Vaulx, huh?
dfactor Jun 23, 2005 at 4:00 AM Report Abuse

Great photography.
Toja May 9, 2005 at 7:56 AM Report Abuse

hihi for the top effect they should accommodate a crown and other regalia next to that throne. So, one could experience the complete glory of the place ;-) And.. I can actually imagine.. Oops! 'Stop silly!' that picture goes too far hihi ;-)
alucas May 3, 2005 at 12:08 PM Report Abuse

Great page on a beautiful place. Perhaps you should have stayed with Alcatel......you might have got Room 1 !