Chantelle, Charroux & Montluçon

Travelled : 94km

Stay: free Aire Lake Sault, Prémilhat   46.33331, 2.55777 

Another wet day but we have still managed to visit four villages! We started walking through Saint Pourçain's old quarter, then drove to Chantelle and looked at the Abbaye Saint Vincent ( a Benedictine order). The nun, at the shop where they sell their soap, creams etc, told us that they are only 9 living at the Abbey. After a walk around village we set off for Charroux (one of the most beautiful villages of France).  A very quaint medieval village where they make famous mustard. Bought a jar to go with the steak we bought at the butcher from the previous town. Montluçon was our next destination. A bigger town and we had do do a couple of laps before we found a park. We explored the medieval city which is dominated by a chateau of the Dukes of Bourbon (one of the many of the region). Enjoyed the architecture and cathedrals of the 13th to 16th century. We then admired some of the 19th century buildings located on the outskirts. At the suggestion of the tourist office we headed out of town a little to a quieter Aire at the lake. 

Saint Pourçain

Chantelle

Charroux

Montlucon

Moulins & St. Pourcain sur Sioule

Travelled : 143km

Stay: free Aire St.Pourcain-sur-Sioule  46.31052, 3.29645 

Everyday is full of surprises. This morning we thought that we should go as far west as possible and hopefully find some sun and warmth. On the way we visited a tourist office in Varennes-sur-Allier, and we were inspired to stay in the region. We headed north and we were delighted with the architecture of Moulins. It had the two largest cathedrals we have seen so far. We also visited the Building Museum, which had a wide variety of building products from several centuries (Mark was in his element). We then went to the Museum of the Visitation, where we read had an original stair case from the 17th century. But what we were not prepared for was the exquisite items hand made by the nuns from the order of Visitation Sainte-Marie and the artifacts made of silver, gold and stones (from jewelry donated by widows who joined the order). After visiting the free exhibition of the Sacred Heart, which was also from the same order, we headed to the very popular Aire in St.Pourcain-sur-Sioule. Found ourselves a great spot facing the river.

Montluel and Bourg en Bresse

Travelled: 300km (over 2 days)

Stay: Montluel -cousins home on 27 May/ Paray-le-Monial- free aire on 28 May

Well, we have had a interesting 2 days. Monday morning we drove to Caluire et Cuire, as Mark had an appointment with an Osteopath regarding his neck and headaches. We then went to the car insurance company so that we could get an updated green certificate printed with the new registration number. By law this little green ticket must be displayed on the windscreen. Then we drove to Montluel and did some shopping and then Mark went to see the dentist to get his modified plate after his broken tooth was extracted. Next stop was my cousin Isabelle's house and we cooked a lamb roast dinner and enjoyed some beaujolais (Chenas) wine.Today was visa immigration day. We were a bit apprehensive as the letter we had received about his appointment had mentioned attending 4 day courses and testing of his french language skills. First he had to get a chest xray, then he had to pass a medical examination. Luckily all is well. He then  meet the immigration officer. We had to plead our case that the french consular in Sydney has been unwilling to explain the implications of the different types of visas that were available to him.  As it stands we had applied for a spouses visa that automatically requires him to sign a contract that adheres him to attend the courses and that he has to reach a certain level of french (not in million years!)  But all we really wanted was a tourist visa! So the very understanding immigration officer kindly gave him 3 of the 4 certificates, with him having to go back next Friday to attend an information session only which included a interpreter and lunch. Once he has done this he will never have to do it again...phew. However, if we return for more than 3 months next year, the medical will still need to be done! Crazy. It is with some relief that we head out of Bourg in the rain (again). Original plans were to head west to Bordeaux, but as we need to come back in 9 days we have to rethink our destination. However, as we head west we realize we are passing past Mr Martin (JL Loisirs), so we called in to pick up the 2 window alarms we had ordered. Another thing ticked off the list. Tonight we stopped again in Paray as it was getting late.

The Beaujolais-Oingt & St.Forgeux France

Travelled:91km

Stay: Free Aire St.Forgeux   45.85737, 4.47581 

Explored some small villages of the Beaujolais, driving through some beautiful countryside covered with vineyards. The buildings are predominately made from a yellow or pink stone. We visited Oingt which is listed as one of "the most beautiful villages in France". Here the buildings are all yellow stone. 

After lunch of baguettes, we meandered our way to St.Forgeux. Here they have some buildings made from both stones. We walked around town and watched a soccer match. The locals won.