During my recent road trip around the Pacific Northwest, I stayed at the C'est La Vie Inn in Eugene, Oregon.

The C'est La Vie was exquisitely renovated and completed in 2006. Throughout the home, you'll find references to France. From etched glass windows with scenes of Paris to hearty coffee mugs that include images of the Eiffel Tower. No detail was overlooked to help promote the Inn's theme.

C'est La Vie Inn - A Not So Victorian Bed & Breakfast

Window etching in the bathroom

You can choose from four rooms; the Casablanca Suite, the Monet Room, the Matisse Room or the Gauguin Room (where I slept).

I'm a big advocate of staying in places where you get to meet the locals, particularly when you're traveling on your own like I was on this most recent trip. Staying at the C'est La Vie gave me the chance to not only meet some of the other guests (like the two sisters from Australia who had been traveling around the U.S. for a month) as well as the proprietors.

Proprietor Anne-Marie Lizet is the "French" behind this B&B while her husband, Jack is the gardener. I was fortunate to have been there while Anne-Marie's daughter, Stephanie, was living there after having traveled around the world for the last two years. Needless to say, we had lots to talk about.

Garden in front - beautiful gardens wrap around the entire yard!

Before I departed for Medford, a few hours south, I joined Anne-Marie and Stephanie for lunch at the Yummm Bowl. If you're ever in Eugene, this is the place to check out for a big bowl of goodness filled with brown rice, black beans, salsa, tomatoes, avocado and the very special and secret Yummm sauce (so yummy I've tried to replicate it at home).

World traveler, Stephanie, and her mom, Anne-Marie

The Inn gets booked anytime the Ducks are playing so make your reservation in advance. Whenever it is that you're passing through Eugene, do treat yourself to this lovely getaway!

Happy Travels!