From
there we drove
up to the small spa town of La Roche-Posay, then up to Loches where,
being a
Saturday, the large street market was in full swing. We managed to
squeeze into one of the small motorhome aires by the station
(with cars parked in it of course!), and wandered around the stalls to
catch the aromas of fromage and saucissons. From there it was a short
drive to the attractive town of Montrésor, with a large church
and chateau beside the river, where we strolled in the evening
to
look and listen to the Nuits Solaires event with coloured lights and
ambient music.
Nuits Solaires at Montrésor
The
next morning we drove to Chédigny where the streets were full of roses,
although they were mostly past their best in early July, then headed
for the Loire, passing the busy chateau at Cheverny, to reach the tiny
village of St Dyé sur Loire with a free motorhome parking area on the
riverside. It was possible to take a trip from here at weekends in a
traditional flat bottomed barge.
Traditional Loire barge
Now we had to make more progress to the channel port, so crossed the
Loire at Beaugency and drove through flat fields to Chateaudun,
parking below the massive chateau. We walked up to the town centre
but
they were clearing up after a major weekend medieval fair, so not at its
best. We continued to Bonneval which calls itself Le Petite Venise de
Beauce, and found the free aire by the small canal that circles
the town centre, with
electric boats for hire. The abbey which is now a hospital has
an
impressive gatehouse.
Municipal notices at St Marcel
We now headed towards Monet's garden at Giverny, which we
had visited a few years ago in late April, when it was a riot of
colourful tulips and other spring flowers. We reached Vernon on the
River Seine late in the afternoon so decided to stay at the
small campsite at St Marcel and visit Giverny the next day.
Taking
an evening stroll past the mairie, we were impressed by French
bureaucracy as there were five boards full of
official notices. The next morning we did our final shop in a
French
supermarket, topping up our cheese and wine supplies, then drove along
to
Giverny, but as it was busy, continued to the small village of La Roche
Guyon for lunch and a walk along the river bank, up to the chateau, and
around the massive walled garden. Returning to Giverny, we were directed
to the motorhome parking area where there were about a dozen vans
parked, and joined the queue to visit the garden which was as crowded
as ever. The gardens by the house were most impressive, with masses
of colour produced by the dense planting, and we managed to get a few
photos without too many people in them, especially now in the age of
selfie sticks. A couple were trying to get everyone to keep off one of
the
famous green bridges by the lily ponds for their photos - no chance!
Monet's kitchen
We shuffled with the crowds around the interior of the house, with
reproductions of his paintings, and many Japanese woodblock prints which
he collected over the forty-three years he lived there. Leaving via the
colourful yellow and blue kitchen and after a visit to the shop, we returned
to the motorhome and discovered that it was now possible to stay
in the large grassy parking area overnight (free but with no services).
The gardens are open from late March to November 1st.