Beautiful Villages of the Garonne France

Day 22 Travelled: 227km from Bergon to Auvillar, La Romieu, Fources and Montréal France

Stay: Dax (Saint Paul les Dax area) free motorhome parking area in forest environment 43.7350, -1.0784

After a peaceful time on the canal, we continued our journey towards Dax and our appointment for new tyres. We managed to stop at 4 villages along the way all classified as “ the most beautiful villages of France” and all part of Saint James Way (to Santiago de Compostela). Along the way to our first stop in Auvillar (only 15mins away), we got a closer look at the nuclear power plant. 

At the entrance to the village was an imposing 17th C clock tower. 

The main square was a delight with its unusual circular corn exchange covered hall.

These barrels were used to measure the grain.

There were some pretty arcades and half timbered buildings. 

The panoramic views over the Garoone Valley was impressive. 

We also ventured in the church that the pilgrims would visit as part of their walk.

We took the roads less travelled to La Romieu, which has a 14th C collegiate church and is a UNESCO site. 

We ventured through the open doors into the cloister and then into the church. We think we may have been lucky as as we left it appeared that a funeral was about to start.. 

The cat sculptures around town are from the legend Angelic who honoured cats as saveurs of villagers due to them chasing rats away.

We drove through Condom, the capital of Armagnac, a brandy style drink, similar to cognac but distilled in cylinder shaped vats rather than round and made from different grapes too.

Fources was a old fortified castle village in an unusual circular shape. We walked over the medieval bridge to the picturesque treed square surrounded by arcaded buildings. 

A short distance away was Montreal which has the largest vineyards of Armagnac. 

We continued on stopping in the outskirts of Mont de Marsan to do some shopping. Mark was very happy to find some German beer. Then we did our washing €16 at Dax and filled up with petrol €1.84 before heading to the aire for tonight. We were lucky to get the last spot. 

Oh and Bluey hit a milestone…100,000km who’s that!