Stay: Charcé St Ellier sur Aubance - aire / free parking for local hall, free services N47°21.360' W0°24.674' / 47.35612, -0.41142
All went well with the insurance assessor and we finally found out which pieces are available now. Unfortunately the most crucial ones ie the door and stair are the ones NOT available! Anyway, we placed the order and if by some miracle they get these pieces within 2 weeks we will drive to Italy. Otherwise the repairs will need to wait until next year!
So all there is to do is to wait and continue our holiday. We will spend the next few days exploring the Loire Valley. This afternoon we visited the Chateau in Angers. This rocky promontory has been occupied by man since the Neolithic period (relics of a cairn were discovered under Roman ruins). In the 9th century it was a lookout post. Then in the 13th century a fortress was built which then became the Dukes of Anjou residence during the 14th and 15th century. In the late 16th century it again became a military fortress and subsequently used frequently as a prison. Within the nearly 1 km long walls there were numerous buildings including a chapel, the royal residence, a mill tower and the governor's lodging.
It is also here were you can see the Apocalypse tapestry. It is the largest medieval tapestry in the world it is 100m long and 4.5m wide. It was completed in 1382 during the time of the 100 Years War.
After having lunch in the restaurant in the grounds and chatting to fellow Australian travellers, we had a walk around the old quarter and visited the St Maurice Cathedral, with an amazing wooden pulpit and 12th century stained glass windows.
In the square behind the cathedral was a 1500's half timbered house called Maison d'Adam due to its ornate facade and wooden sculptures, one of which was the Adam and Eve's eternal tree.
We then drove along the Loire River to an aire which as it was occupied by 'travellers' ie Romanians, we continued to the aire in the smallest village we have stayed in with the longest name!
Loved the old church, the wooden pulpit and especially the lace marble on the Bishop's gown. How would they do that?? So clever!
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