Travelled: 84km from Chateau Gontier to Cunault; 76km from Cunault to St Martin de Sanzay, Thouars and Airvault.
Stay: Airvault mixed parking area with free service point. N46.8252 W0.1421
On Saturday morning we travelled through some beautiful countryside to Cunault situated along the Loire River. The effects of the long hot and dry summer was evident with the very dry fields and the river’s low water level.
We spent a pleasant day and night at my cousin Regine and Fred’s home. We were once again made very welcome and we enjoyed catching up with them and my aunt Jeanine over a delicious BBQ lunch and some drinks.
Later a pétanque game was played to help the digestion. We also went for an hour long walk in the forest behind their house.
The next morning we said our goodbyes and continued our journey towards Lyon.
We stopped at a motorhome aire next to a lake near St.Martin de Sanzay. After a cuppa we walked along the lake and looked around a Brocante (flea market) and bought a bellow and a milk canister for €3 each (more stuff to bring home).
Our next destination was Thouars who’s main attraction is the Chateau des Ducs built in the 17th century, which is located on a promontory above the Thouet River. As we walked through the deserted historic centre we noticed most of the shops were empty and the shops that were still running were closed today as it was Sunday. Even so there were many historical buildings with some interesting architecture throughout the old town.
We had a look at the outside of the castle as it was not open to visitors at this time of the year due to it now being a school.
We did go inside St.Laone Church and found the tomb of Margaret Stewart, the 1st wife of King Louis XI.
We managed to have a look at another church along the way.
On our way back to Bluey we passed one of the remaining defence towers.
As the day was getting on and we were experiencing our hottest day so far 31°c (finally getting a bit of summer before getting home), we decided to find a shady spot for the rest of the day. As the parking area in Airvault ticked the box, we pulled up and stayed.
Later we strolled into town which had a grand Market Hall.
We had a look inside St.Pierre’s church and admired the interesting capitals on the pillars.
We then walked up to the castle but could only get as far as the fortified gate, as the castle is privately owned.
We returned to Bluey and did a few chores before spending a quiet evening along with 3 other motorhomes.
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