Germany, Belgium, France

Travelled:229km

Visited:Belgium-Eupen. Limbourg, Verviers, Theux, Durbuy

Stay: France -Givet free parking along the Meuse River 50.13485 4.82714

Today we had breakfast in Germany, lunch in Belgium and Dinner in France!

This morning we had to choose which roads we would travel as we make our way back to Rousseloy.  Always a tricky decision...do we visit big cities or country towns? We are on the wind down as we approach the end of our trip and lack the required enthusiasm to tackle the cities. So we left Germany behind us and ventured on some country roads in Belgium. You can never be too sure what awaits you, a bit like opening the door of the church, it could be amazingly beautiful or quite dull. We experienced a bit of everything. Our first stop was Eupen, which had pleasant streets and lovely new copper roofs on the church's towers. 

Next was Limbourg, whose small old quarter sits on a rocky spur above a hairpin bend in the River Vesdre.

 We had a short stroll around before continuing onto Verviers, which happened to be quite a large city that appeared a bit run down. We did manage to have a quick look in the church.

So on we went to see Theux which was a nice town and we got tempted by some cakes in the Patisserie! 

Delicious!

With our sugar fix sorted we were intrigued to have a look at Durbuy, which has classified itself as the world's smallest city!  Unfortunately being a Sunday afternoon the place was packed. Somehow we managed to find a parking and strolled around the narrow cobbled streets lined with stone houses. 

We thought we had better have a waffle in Belgium before we left. 

Our last stop for the day was Givet on the Meuse River. Although it is in France it's practically surrounded by Belgium. On a hill above the town is Charlemont Fort built in the 1500's, like most places visited to day, it has a long history of occupation (Spain, Prussians, Russians, Germans). We enjoyed a walk around before settling in for the night.

The Marie (town hall).

Hesdin to Le Crotoy France

Travelled:167km
Visited:Hesdin
Stay:Le Crotoy-aire €6/24h parking, €2 water. Large spot on the Somme Bay. N50.218220 E1.633290

We spent the morning doing some shopping to fill the empty fridge then photocopied the bike receipts for the police report. By 12 noon we had returned to the camp site to lodge our paperwork with them with the hope that their insurance will cover the loss as our insurance policy will not! Slightly disappointing.... time will tell. Anyway, we headed South to Hesdin and stopped for a walk around this town that was laid out in 1554 for Charles V after he made it part of the Spanish Netherlands. It remained an important military fortified town until 1842. However it returned to French power in 1659 with the Treaty of the Pyrenees.  There were 2 significant buildings in town. The Town Hall is dominated by a Belfry which hold 2 tons of bells and a Breteche where the town crier would ...well.. cry!? 

The Notre Dame Church had escaped destruction from the revolution and the two World Wars, hence it was in its original condition in much need of a reconstruction. Unfortunately we could not enter as it was closed. Very unusual. The tourist office gave us a brochure on the town and did have an extensive part on the church.

After stretching our legs we had to decide 'where to next?' We settled on Le Crotoy, where our friends from Perth, Mike and Jan, had come to visit. There are a few options here, we chose the one closest to town. It was quite busy but arriving a 4pm allowed us a few options. We chilled out until after dinner then went for a stroll.

Arras France

Travelled:45km
Visit:Arras
Stay:Arras-aire, free parking, € service point. Short walk into town centre. N50.294559 E2.787940

Woke up to heavy rain so we decided to stay put and Mark listened to the footy and then we watched a movie. On the way to Arras we stopped to do some shopping and by the time we arrived the rain had stopped. The 7 spots in the aire were all taken but we found a spot in the overflow parking. Then we walked into town and admired the Grand Place lined by gable-topped Flemish houses. 

We then entered the Place des Heros which is smaller and more attractive with the very impressive Town Hall and Belfry down one end.

 It was rebuilt in the 1920's after having been destroyed during WWI. This was also the case with the neo-classical Notre Dame cathedral.

 We noticed many buildings were in the 1920's art deco style. 

We then admired the talented works in a small museum of the Journeymen Companions before strolling back to Bluey.

Lille (Fr), Tournai (B)

Travelled: 64km
Visited: Lille(Fr), Tournai (B)
Stay: Tournai- free parking and services, short walk to centre. N50.604439 E3.381670

It was a foggy start to the day which hepled keep the temperature down to a pleasant 28°c, perfect touring weather. 

We made our way to Lille and managed to find parking in the street (€1/hr) close to the old centre.

 We called in for the obligatory map at the tourist office which is situated in the lower rooms of the Rihour Palace built in 1453 and was the former residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. On one side there was a war memorial sculpture. Lille had suffered extensive damage during the wars.

The large square has 'The Goddess' 1845 statue to commemorate Lille's victorious resistance against the Austrians in 1792. Throughout history the town had been under Flemish, Burgundian, Spanish and now French rule and is reflected in the differing architecture.  

The Old Exchange building 1653 is made up of 24 identical houses surrounding a cloister which houses a little booksellers' market.

The Opera 1923, is Italian neo-classical style.

The Chamber of Commerce 1924 is built in neo-Flemish style.

Making our way along the Rue Grand Chaussee and Rue de la Monnaie displaying 17th century architecture we came to the Cathedral. 

A neo-gothic structure with a new 1999 facade. 

We walked to the canal surrounding the Citidal 1670 built by Vauban. We had a look at the reconstructed Napoleon bridge.

The Sacre Coeur church.

As there was nowhere to stay with Bluey we drove back into Belgium to have a look at Tournai. The Gallo-Romans settled here during the 1st century. During the 12th century the Belfry and city walls were built. From the 16th to 18th century the French town was taken over by the English, Spanish, Austrians and lastly the Dutch and became part of Belgium.
We stroll into the Grand Place flanked by different styled buildings with the Belfry standing proud down the end and the cathedral spires dominating the back ground.

 We are drawn to St.Quentin's church with its solid bulky structure. 

We had a break and tried out a local brew then we were on our way once again and had a closer look at the oldest Belfry in Belgium. It is 72m high, has 267 steps and a 55 bell carillon.

The cathedral is currently under repair since the 1999 tornado and will be until 2025. It is an impressive building at 134m long and the towers 83m high.

As it was now 6pm the visiting opportunities were over, so we had a bite to eat and tried out another brew! Sante!

Where's Bluey?