Day 20 Fleurance and Auch

Breakfast at home after a lovely chat with Sarah before she heads to Bali. We drove south from Lectoure to Fleurance, about 20 mins away. passing a McDonalds, Aldi and Carrefours supermarket which felt quite out of place after the historic towns we have been visiting!!
The historic part of Fleurance was small with the town hall under major renovation but some shops open as were a few cafes. Coffee and a lemon curd muffin were enjoyed before we wandered the streets. Janet and I found a Paris 2024 olympic tshirt and had fun trying them on. I bought one!!
We continued south with a detour to Roquefort, what I assumed was home of that cheese. How wrong can one be?? Blink and you miss the town but we did take a scenic route onto Auch instead of the main road! Narrow country roads and beautiful countryside.
The city of Auch, built around a medieval heart and the last great cathedral (16th century) erected on a promontory, extends on either side of the Gers, a tributary of the Garonne. After parking we walked towards the Cathedrale Sainte Marie d'Auch. The entrance was very impressive as were some of the stained glass windows. 1230pm the cathedral closed so we went in search of lunch through lovely laneways and passing some quirky shops. Stumbled upon a Spanish restaurant with a friendly owner. Very nice lunch and Rosé sitting outside. After lunch we followed a walking track through Auch, past the statue of d'Artagnan, the 4th musketeer along the upper road. There were a few flights of very steep narrow stairs down to the river. In years gone by the soldiers would stand at the top and shot the enemy coming up as they were only able to come up one at a time and very slowly.
The weather started off cool but by lunch time was 24 degrees with the sun trying to come out. Another great day out.
Quiet eveinng at home.Read more