One week into our trip to France

[Ziggy123]

Bourdeilles at this time of year is very quiet. You can walk up into town not far away and the chateau is there but we use it as a first out and last back stop quite often so don't pay much attention. The Dronne is running quite fast now, very different from when we were there in June. The fascinating bit is looking at the stone walls that mark the edges of a one-time river bed and look at how they are undercut and eroded. Makes you feel very insignificant. Enjoy your week and start planning for next year!

Perfect thank you! It's just an overnight for us too, we are trying to break the trip into 3 hours max segments to keep our dogs stress level to a minimum! If it was just us I think we would be heading straight up now!

 

[varaizian]

Perfect thank you! It's just an overnight for us too, we are trying to break the trip into 3 hours max segments to keep our dogs stress level to a minimum! If it was just us I think we would be heading straight up now!

Bourdeilles is good for dogs. Plenty of room around for “the necessities“!

 

[Riverbankannie]

I've made a note re market in Sarlat Saturday

I hope you made it today, we were there last year on the last Saturday in October, it is the last market of the year I believe.

 

[bellabee]

I hope you made it today, we were there last year on the last Saturday in October, it is the last market of the year I believe.

I think it's all year, Annie. I've just had a look at their website .

 

[Ziggy123]

I hope you made it today, we were there last year on the last Saturday in October, it is the last market of the year I believe.

We didn't in the end unfortunately had a bit of a stressful day getting there, so was bit gutted. I hope I find one next week, it's my last chance! Heading to loire

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[Riverbankannie]

I think it's all year, Annie. I've just had a look at their website .

It’s probably just some stallholders then, they had signs up saying “last week”. I expect the ones selling more touristy things than local produce.

 

[bellabee]

Now ar Canterbury Park and Ride, after changing our Dieppe ferry for the Tunnel.

We spent a second night at Saumur and went to the Saturday morning market. I rarely buy anything at French markets, but I love looking at them.

The one in Saumur is much more low-key than that at Sarlat - it's much more of an everyday locals' market - lots of fresh produce and oyster stalls.

In the afternoon we went to Sainte-Suzanne, one of the Plus Beaux Villages in Mayenne.
It sits high on a rocky outcrop above the Evre River. It has a lot of history and is famous for having been the only stronghold to have held out against William the Conqueror's troops in the 11th century.

We enjoyed strolling around its old streets, and walking around the fortress ruins. The views over the surrounding countryside were fantastic. This is a beautiful area which we haven't really visited.

As for the village itself, I felt it had a touch of ''Allo, Allo!' about it.

After Sainte-Suzanne, we spent the night at the aire at Broglie. This is an excellent aire which looks as though used to be a municipal campsite. We took Gus for a walk along one of the many walking routes, although it was very wet underfoot.

This is definitely an aire which we would recommend, and it is convenient for the ferry ports.

I'd made a vet appointment at La Mailleraye for Monday, so that's where we headed next. The Seine was much higher than we'd ever seen it before, and was to the top of the wall when we arrived, however it had retreated by late afternoon.

We had booked a return crossing from Dieppe to Newhaven, but because of the storm warnings, we decided to book the Tunnel instead, and spent Tuesday night at the Calais aire.


Which brings us to where we are now - Canterbury Park and Ride - waiting for the weather to settle, before we head back up the motorway to South Staffs.

We've had a great trip, and it feels as though we have done so many different things.

France is such a large and varied country and probably the easiest for motorhome travel.

We're at home now until February, when I've been lucky enough to book a pet friendly cabin to Santander.

 

[denisejoe]

Thank you for taking us on your holiday. Have really enjoyed your blog and great photos.

Enjoy your time at the Park and Ride - we use it loads.

 

[Jo662]

Thank you for sharing your holiday with us,it’s been a interesting read

 

[Lenny HB]

We had booked a return crossing from Dieppe to Newhaven, but because of the storm warnings, we decided to book the Tunnel instead, and spent Tuesday night at the Calais aire.

Chicken, not been nowhere near as rough as Forcaste.

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[Lenny HB]

Thanks for showing us your trip, we must do the Lot we keep driving through it.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Thanks for a great blog, a few places you visited have gone onto our must visit list.

 

[3DOM]

Many thanks for taking us along on your journey.
Very enjoyable.

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

 

[scousebird]

Thanks for sharing your trip. Have a good night at Canterbury P&R, we also use it a lot, quite often with denisejoe.

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[Gina M]

We keep the van cool, blinds closed, parked in shade, and don't go out until late afternoon.
We only leave him for 2 hours max, and he's fine.

We did try a bike trailer, but he wouldn't go in it.

I bet Gus loves that time on his own, he doesn't have to look after you and can chill