Yet another hot day in France – not complaining though !
I (along with a lot of other people, I imagine) keep forgetting how big France really is. For example, Calais to Nice is more than 1200 km. It can be done in 12 hours driving, but what sort of a state would you be in ??? So journey times by road can become a little extended, to say the least. This is why I chose to do the bash to Clermont Ferrand in 2 days, especially as I was going cross country and mindful that this was only days 9 and 10 of 31…..
So it was Tonnerre, Nitry, Velezay, Corbigny, Moulins, then into Royat (just outside Clermont Ferrand), for those of a geographical disposition. Why this fascination with Clermont Ferrand ? All will be revealed in tomorrow’s post.
Vezelay is a defensible hill town famous for Vézelay Abbey. The town and its 11th-century Romanesque Basilica of St Magdalene are designated UNESCO Heritage sites. Unfortunately, no time to stop, another day perhaps.
En route was a town called La Machine. It was slap bang in the middle of the local coal mining area. Now there is a Mining museum, which was closed on my travel day – a bit early in the season, I guess.
My final destination for the night was Royat, where I stayed at the Le Chatel Hotel. A slightly old fashioned spa-town style of hotel, but with a lot more character than some of the “standard” hotel offerings. Friendly and helpful staff. Although there was no in-room tea/coffee provided, I was able to sit in the lobby and sup away. My single room was tucked away a bit at the back, but it was quiet.
Much amusement in the restaurant from both sides regarding the provision of a specially prepared English language version of the menu – hidden in a sideboard cupboard and brought out with due ceremony, just for me !
