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A journey through France
  • John Ward
  • John Ward

A journey through France

Travelling with the caravan through France Read more
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  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    1Sky last night
    1Sky last night111Not quite straightWhere they would do the washing

    Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val.

    June 26, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne dept in the Occitanie region in Southern france. It has many medieval listed buildings dating back from the 12th to the 17th century.
    We cycled there and back 46 miles after a brief stop in Cordes for a drink, but only the place would serve us as lunchtime was a chocolate museum 😋. So we shared a cake. Great temp, but lots of damage from storm last night fallen trees. Many fields were being harvested today.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    The bridge was only 2.2m wide

    Najac

    June 27, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Drove to Najac today. I'm glad we didn't cycle as it was 22 miles and lots of hills, up and down. Najac is another beautiful village with the claim of being the most beautiful town in France. It certainly was beautiful and medieval, with steep streets. It's very quiet, but the season doesn't start till july. It's also a bastide town with a fortified castle, which we visited. We had a drink at a cafe come bookshop run by an English lady who had a dream to run a tea shop in france, she's done this for the past 3 years. I had a scone with clotted cream and jam 😋.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    1Starbucks !! For an ice frappe to try cool off11My lovely wife lent me her hat am as i forgot mineCycle route amGluten-free macaroons - rose and lemon sample was lovely

    Three days of calories in one meal?

    June 28, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    We knew today was going to be a hot one, so we cycled to Cordes (5km) for morning coffee/ cake at our favourite cafe and a look at the market and gardens. Came back about 12.30 and cooled off with a swim, had lunch, and went to Albi in the car for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Had a meal (see pictures) and came back to an invasion of ants on the workspaces.
    Temps are going to get over 40c next few days as the heatwave continues throughout Spain, Italy, and france.    Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Great views from the bar. No one wanted to sit on the veranda as too hot even under brollies

    Saint Antonin Noble, Penne & Bruniquel

    June 29, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    First stop this morning was Saint Antonin Noble Val for the Sunday market, a town we visited on Friday. Then drove to Penne which is the site of the 11th century castle built on a rock, very impressive. Had a beer and tried to cool down in the shade. Then five miles further on, another town called Bruniquel (a beau village). Both these villages were very quiet, probably too hot for visitors at 38c. Then a drive back a cool off in the pool.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Lovely old tractorTourist info offices are always amazing

    La vallees du lot. St-Cirq Lapopie.

    July 1, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 40 °C

    Yesterday, we had drinks out in Cordes am then relaxed in the pool and shade. Meal on site with Dutch we'd met cooked by site owner. Great finish to stay.
    Travelled to new area 1hr 30 mins away. Hottest day by far. Only managed a short walk from the car through Saint-cirq Lapopie village, which clings to a cliff overlooking the Lot valley. Stunning. Did 20kg of washing in a car park near site!!Then back to try and cool off in the pool. Site owners who are english said there's a fire 2 kilometres away, and they are trying to contain it. Also, they will let us know if there's any change. Ash is landing on van, etc.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    1Ponte Valentre
    We bought cake from.hereTook Lynn ages to choose honey1Surprised indoor market still open as outdoor market finished at 12.301Poulet tarte for tea.1This is just to hear sound- we've heard in a few towns. Warning for fire. Lynns video all over place

    Cahors

    July 2, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We both feel alive today as the temperature has fallen and the sky is cloudy. Much more comfortable and a better nights sleep. Cahor is a town on the Lot River in the Occitane region, known for its deep red wine and the Pont Valentre with its 3 towers.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    11Anyone for a large bread11

    Cycling along the rivers Lot and Cele

    July 3, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Had a day cycling as the weather was cooler again today. Visited a Chateau dating back to the twelfth century and very original. Then continued on to Saint Cirq du lapopie, which we visited on Wednesday but not seen bottom of village. Continued on to Cabrerets following the river Cele. Some amazing troglodyte houses en route, then a climb over the mountain to return to the campsite.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Waiting for the bus
    Also waiting for the bus11Behive on the window sill in the town1

    Figeac

    July 4, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Early bus at 8.30am to Figeac. Great journey along the road following the river Lot. Chatted to the driver who was from Belgium (no, he doesn't commute every day). Had a few hours walking the history walk around the town and then back to Larnagol (caravan site).4ish.Then, on bikes for 1 hour, but found it too hot, so we turned around and went back for a dip in the pool.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Can i get that fly!!

    Chateau de Bournazel

    July 5, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Up early to get the bus into Cahors to the market. Back then out in the car. To visit Chateau Monument historique, garden remarkable. After 15 yrs of exemplary restoration, crowned by the Grand Tropee Dessault Histoire et Patrimoine. Considered the most beautiful Renaissance chateau- museum in the south of France. Privately owned by a French couple who live in it. Had a private tour of the public rooms in english. The owner had been collecting historic furniture and paintings, all from the 16th century, including a harpsichord from the same period and thought to be the only original one in existence. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pics of the inside, but it was truly incredible. Blown away. Then we visited the garden and village. The village was only small but it had one Tartiere. We both had a tart, which was very tasty, but the big problem was the flies, which is a big problem when it is hot/ humid.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler

    Walking the Chemin de halage

    July 7, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Rained yesterday, so we went for a walk. No pictures to show.
    Today still showers, so we drove to Saint ciri de lapopie village and did a 11km circular walk which took us along the banks of the river Lot along the Chemi de halage which is a man made walk cut into the stone 3m in height, to allow the horses to pull the barges up the river in the 19th century. The carvings in the pictures are by an artist done in the 1990's.
    Tomorrow we move camp to the dordogne, further north.    Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Bread ovenChapel1

    Chateau de Hautfort

    July 9, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Cycled the 3.8 km to the village and had a morning drink and looked around the market and then the chateau of Hautfort. The chateau dates back to the 12th century but was badly damaged by a fire in 1968 by a guest who discarded a cigarette. A full restoration took place, and the exterior and interior rooms are fine examples of modern-day craftmanship. We spent most of the day there.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Forgot her french basket so waitrose bag had to do!

    Excideuil, Pergueux

    July 10, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    First stop yesterday was the beautiful market at Excideuil. Where we bought lots of great fruit. The peachs, nectarines and strawberries are gorgeous which are what we buy all time as well as other beg etc. Morning drink before continuing on the Pergueux. I had heard that there was evening entertainment in the town with street food and music. We later found that we were a week early!!
    We left around 5pm to try and find somewhere to eat, so we headed to Sorges, which was dead, but we did hear an organist in the church playing so popped in for a listen, then drink at the bar with the locals. There was no success with food here, so went back to Excideuil, where we had a great meal.    Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    This is a mural- even the door. This we realised only up close

    Cycled to Terrasson

    July 11, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Morning drink in Hautefort. Cycled through the countryside passing through small villages, up and down hills through agricultural land along roads with very few cars just tractors. Then to Terrasson. Had our butties by river then found a cafe who's had scone and cream(english owned). Then to Les Jardins de I'imaginaire. High temps today, long cycle lots of hills, so when we got back, it was 6.30pm, so we couldn't wait to get in the pool.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler

    Sarlat and Jardin Eyrignac

    July 12, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C

    Went to Sarlat first for look round and drink, but it was an all-day market and so mainly people. So thought we'd have a drink and go straight to gardens, as too busy for us. Had lunch at restaurant overlooking gardens before looking around. They were beautiful. They say they are the most beautiful in Perigord. The area we are in is known for the walnuts, and we passed lots and followed the walnut route. The season has started here in France so there's lots of fetes, concerts in many villages, towns, and the châteaus. The tourist information office gave us a leaflet.Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Late cup tea with snacks as sun goes down1

    Back to loire on Bastille day.

    July 14, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Ystrdy was a rest day.
    Today, we travelled 180 miles to the next site. Scenery was beautiful, mainly D rds, through village's and the Trouraine loire valley agricultural region. The regions known for its wine, but the fields were full of maize, wheat, and barley, which had just been cut and sunflowers for as far as you could see. It was like a gold carpet flecked with yellow. (Lynn's words). We are staying on a farm, which is an old water mill. It's quiet and we are next to a river. We arrived and sat out with a cupa tea, and then I noticed two otters coming across the site to another river at the other side of the pitch. We have heard them going into the river but have not seen them again yet. Just walked to the farm, and they have a veg on offer. Also, we have a very full plum tree next to pitch, and they are free !!!Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    1

    Cycled to chateau villandry

    July 15, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    For our penultimate day, we cycled 22 miles to Chateau Villandry. It took us longer than expected due to some offroad diversions. Late morning drink at cafe/bar, which luckily enough was next to a patisserie. In france they allow you to eat cakes/ bread not brought from them.

    Tha gardens were stunning as you will see in the pictures and the inside the chateau equally breathtaking.    Read more

  • John WardA journey through FranceTraveler
    Small selection at services but all fresh

    At port in normandy

    July 17, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Travelled to Saint Marie eglise in drizzle yesterday. Stopped twice and had our last french baguette & French pastries for now. The town, of course, is near to the Normandy beaches and full of museums and exhibitions. The Americans parachuted in, and one poor chap got caught on the church steeple. The germans were going to shoot him, but then realised he was on sacred ground and was saved.
    Now, at cherbourg Port waiting to board with sea mist, so don't think we'll be on the deck it's a big chilli.    Read more

  • Trip end
    July 18, 2025
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