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Autumn in Greenwich Park
Late Summer, or early Autumn – the season has definitely changed.
Travel in France – Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau
The Château of Azay-le-Rideau was built between 1528 and 1527 on the site of the mediaeval castle of Ridel d’Azay, a knight in the King’s service. The fortress was built to protect the road from Tours to Chinon. This original building … Continued
Travel in France – Issoudun to Ouistreham
On the final day of Travel in France we travelled from Issoudun to Ouistreham, with visits to the Chateaux of Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau along the way. The overnight ferry returned us to the UK.
Travel in France – Issoudun
Issoudun has a long history, with evidence of settlement since at least 2000 BC. By the Middle Ages it was the second largest town in the Berry and one of the stages on the Pilgrim Route from Vézelay to Santiago. It … Continued
Travel in France – St Hippolyte du Fort to Issoudun
Day 25 of Travel in France and we began the long drive north. Our route was over the Causse de Larzac, the Millau Bridge, and up the motorway. There were several traffic jams, and we diverted briefly along the Lot for a coffee stop. But … Continued
Travel in France – The Chateau of Villandry
The Chateau of Villandry was completed in 1536, the last of the great castles built in the Loire Valley. The chateau was owned by Jean le Breton, the Finance Minister for François I. In 1906 the chateau was bought by … Continued
Travel in France – the Vidourle
The Vidourle rises in the hills around St Roman de Codières and flows into the sea near Le Grau du Roi. The river flows underground at times, and is prone to violent floods, vidourlades, after heavy rain, particularly in the autumn. It is c.85k in length. … Continued
The gite at Le Pouget, near St Hippolyte du Fort
In the Cevennes we stayed in a comfortable gîte in the hamlet of Le Pouget, just four miles outside St Hippolyte du Fort. The setting is wonderful, overlooking the valley of the Vidourle, and even on the occasional misty day it is beautiful, quiet, peaceful. … Continued





