France
Charleville-Mézières

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    • Day 12

      Rest Day in Charleville Mezieres

      August 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

      Our home for the past two nights has been the Kyriad City Centre in Charleville Mezieres. This famous city was the first pit stop on this leg of the ride. I have learned just how popular these so called rest days are on every ride, although precious little resting actually takes place. In fact most of our participants would probably say that they expend more energy exploring foreign cities, than they do when riding from place to place on their bikes.

      Having two nights at the Kyriad also gave me a chance to assess the quality of the accommodation in more detail. I have a simple set of yardsticks with which to judge any hotel, and here are some of them:
      1. Is there an ample supply of hot water ?
      2. Is the room big enough to open my luggage and move about freely ?
      3. Does the toilet flush properly ?
      4. Can the toilet roll be reached easily when you are sitting on the toilet ?
      5. Are there any shelf spaces or hooks in the bathroom ?
      6. Is the lighting adequate or do you need to wear a head torch ?
      7. Does it have a reasonable outlook from the window ?
      8. Does the AC work properly ?
      9. Is it quiet at night ?
      10. Does the bed come with proper pillows and clean, taut sheets ?
      11. Are there a sufficient number of power points
      12. (Very important) Does it have fast and secure Internet services ?
      13. Is the breakfast up to a good standard ?
      14. Does it have a functioning lift ?

      If you can answer a YES to the above questions, I would say that the hotel scores a pass mark in my book. While the Budget Ibis at Givet scored a NO to almost all of the above points, I am pleased to say that the Kyriad was a much better hotel. Not perfect, but quite acceptable.

      After breakfast, our first task was to find a Laundromat to catch up on the ever increasing mountain of laundry. David informed us that he had found the ideal place, but his instructions were so abysmal, that it took us about an hour to walk the short distance from our hotel. He even got the name of the place incorrect.

      When we eventually found the place, it was already full of fellow Ghostriders, all watching the accumulated filth being swished out of their clothing. I had to admit that the Laundromat was really a high class setup. Not only were the washing machines impressive, but they even dispensed their own washing detergent.

      About 45 minutes later we were heading back to the hotel with a bag full of clean and (almost) dry clothing. We then decided to catch a taxi to what we thought was the old city, but was actually the impressive Hotel de Ville.

      This city was the site of intense fighting during WW2, and the scars of battle can still be seen everywhere on the buildings. Some bullet damage has been repaired, but others are remain almost 80 years after the war ended.

      The Ardennes Region was the region where the famous Battle of the Bulge took place. This was the last major German offensive, and it quickly faltered when fine weather allowed the allied air force to batter the German divisions. As we walked the streets of the city, we could not help but feel the pain and suffering that had taken place here. You could almost feel the awful memories permeating the buildings and streets.

      Tomorrow, we resume our ride as we continue our way to Bouillon.
      Read more

    • Day 6

      Charleville-Mézière

      October 2, 2022 in France ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

      We zijn vanmorgen vertrokken uit Revin in de stromende regen en aangekomen op onze nieuwe camperplek in Charleville- Mézière waar het rond 17.30 uur pas droog werd. Toch nog even de stad ingelopen.

    • Day 2

      Verdun

      September 11, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

      I visited Verdun today, the site of a famous Great War battle, mainly between French and German soldiers. I was treated with a 100km drive through the most amazing French countryside, with high Sunflowers and Corn cobs. The weather was perfect and as normal the roads were empty. I cruised along with the room down and felt totally relaxed. I stopped along the way in a small town called Mouzon as I was drawn to the church from the road. Thereafter lots of coincidental things happened no doubt guided by a higher power. Next to the Abbey, which is over 1000 years old, were two BMW z3s the same as mine with proud owners cleaning them. We swapped pictures and brief pleasantries although communication was a struggle. I then visited the Notre Dame Abbey, which was an amazing place with high ceilings and stained glass and many private prayer areas. I lit a candle for my mum, said a prayer or two for her and spent time contemplating life. The experience was very peaceful and healing, and I felt, meant to be. After a good hour in the village I moved on refreshed and at peace. The river Muese meanders through the area being one of the longest rivers in Europe and a canal also follows a similar route down to Verdun. I am hungry now so Verdun will wait until later!Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Charleville-Mézières, Charleville-Mezieres, Şarlevil Mezyer, Charleville, Σαρλβίλ-Μεζιέρ, شارلویل-مزیر, Libreville, שרלוויל-מזייר, Շառլվիլլ-Մեզյեր, シャルルヴィル=メジエール, 샤를르빌메지에르, Caroli Villa, Šarlevilis-Mezjeras, Шарлевил Мезјер, शार्लव्हिल-मेझिएया, شرلویل-مزیه, 08000, Шарлевиль-Мезьер, Шарлевіль-Мезьєр, 沙勒维尔-梅济耶尔

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