Stay: near Charron free parking next to a pond (46.3071, -1.1024)
After emptying the loo at the free service point located just outside the camp ground, we went to have a look at pink painted clock tower of the Saint Lyphard church. Unfortunately we were too early for us to climb the 135 steps to the top for 360 views of the Briere marshlands.
Just a little bit further along the road we stopped at Kerhinet , a typical village composed of 18 thatched cottages with explanations about the way people once lived here.
Saint Nazaire is best know for its shipbuilding industry and became the centre for building ocean liners. In 1862 the first transatlantic crossing to South America departed from here.
During the German occupation in WWII a impenetrable submarine base was built and was the HQ for the German navy. As a result it was a major target for the Allies who destroyed the shipyards in1942 followed by the city in 1943.
We ventured up on to the top of the building which offered views of the city and the port.
We explored the port from the otherside.
There was a memorial to the slaves that came through here.
On the other end of the bay there were many traditional fishing net shacks.
We went over the Loire river to Saint Brevin les Pins via the 3.35km bridge built in 1974.
In the shallows was an unusual giant 130m skeleton sculpture called the Ocean Serpent. (Thanks Dawn for the recommendation).
We decided we better get a few kilometres done, so headed towards our next destination, La Rochelle. We stopped about 30mins short and thought a quiet night out in the back blocks of Charron (46.3071, -1.1024) would do us for tonight and we can tackle the tourist port fresh tomorrow morning.
Some more very interesting photos, love the thatch roofs and the ocean serpent looks amazing. Safe travels.
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