From the first time we set foot in Chernex, we’ve felt welcome—and at home. Not only by Sabine, Yvan, and family, but by a growing circle of friends who have gone out of their way to invite us into their lives, share meals, and show patience with our lousy French skills, all while making our time here even more special.
Tonight’s raclette party was one of those moments.
The weather was perfect—a beautiful spring evening—and we arrived fresh off our hike, just in time to prep a potluck contribution and join a big group of friends and family dining al fresco in the middle of the aptly named “La Petite Ruelle” (literally “the little alley”) just outside Sabine and Yvan’s place.
La Petite Ruelle serves many functions: gymnastics training facility, football pitch, volleyball court, apéro HQ, racetrack for all manner of non-motorized wheeled vehicles (bike, scooter, pedal tractor…). But tonight, it became our outdoor restaurant.
Long tables were laid out, full of food, with the appareil à raclette stationed at the head of the table.
Now, I’ve had raclette before—but what we’ve eaten in Canada doesn’t even begin to compare. It’s like comparing a McDonald’s meal to a Michelin-starred experience. I don’t know if it was the great company, the joy of watching Cedar laughing hysterically as he joined in a game of tag with the kids weaving dangerously through a maze of adults with plates of molten cheese.
Maybe it was the deep satisfaction of knowing that my less-than-mediocre marksmanship skills had helped earn that glorious half-wheel of raclette we were devouring 🙂
Most likely, it was all of the above.
Sitting there with a glass of wine, watching the sun go down over the little village we get to call home—even if only temporarily — I just felt lucky. Lucky to share this. And lucky to have it shared with us.
