A morning in Arras and Gravelines

It was a beautiful morning in Arras, so after giving time for the sun to rise a little, we set off for the town centre.

There is a little electric shuttle bus available free of charge from the swimming pool next to the motorhome aire, taking passengers up to the town.

They don't allow dogs onboard though, so we walked. It wasn't far.

Arras is a great town, it has two main squares, Grand Place and Place des Heros.

Both are unique in their lovely squares with elegant scrolled gable buildings, decorative brickwork, stone columns, galleries, covered arcades and street cellar entrances, all of which were destroyed in WWl but carefully restored to their full glory.

They are now a protected monument.

I've seen this style of building before in France, Holland and Belgium, but I don't think I've ever seen so many together.

They're doing a lot of work in the squares, setting up a ferris wheel and preparations for the Christmas markets I think.

Some photos of Arras

Later we drove closer to Calais, Gravelines to be precise, which is a lovely fortified town which forms a star shaped island on an inlet to the English Channel.

We're parked up by the blue tag marked Aire de camping car on the left overlooking the Marina.

I've used this parkup before and found it to be a great place for a night and only 20 minutes to the Eurotunnel terminal.

Some photos of Gravelines

Tonights the last night of our trip sadly, tomorrow we're back to normality and joining you in the pantomime that is the UK at the moment, and which you've all been enduring these last few weeks.

Mons and Arras

No too much to report from today, we drove into Mons for our appointment with the vet for Louis, that went ok thankfully.

A couple of photos of Mons, it's not really a very attractive town !

Then we headed over to Arras for the night.

Arras looks like a very attractive town which we'll explore tomorrow.

It's quite warm here in Arras although overcast.

I got talking earlier to a couple from Wiltshire who are on the tunnel tomorrow. They went to a vets in Arras today with their dog, but had to walk there through a torrential downpour. We've seen hardly any rain today, just a few spots here and there.

I might walk into town this evening to see what's going on.

I had a walk into town after tea and it is indeed a very attractive town with elegant squares full of busy bars and restaurants, even on a Monday night.

I'll explore more tomorrow before we head nearer to Calais for our last night in France.

Sedan

We again had quite heavy rain overnight but the morning was a little drier and brighter as we set off for Sedan in the Ardennes department, Grand Est region of north east France.

We mostly drove through agricultural farmland today and passed several war grave cemeteries on our route which was quite a sobering sight with their beautifully maintained multiple rows of white crosses, a reminder of the tragedy and folly that are all wars.

On top of one hill appeared this memorial, I wasn't sure what it was until we were level with it and it was too late to stop then, but Sue managed to get a photo.

It was huge and quite a sight.

This afternoon we had a walk around Sedan town center, to the castle which is probably the least photogenic castle ever. 

But it claims to be the largest fortified castle in Europe. 

I think some Welsh castles might have a thing or two to say about that !

Our return journey took us to the Botanical gardens but unfortunately they don't allow dogs in, so photos are taken peering through the railings like naughty children.

We're parked up on the banks of the river Meuse with great views of the river.

Tomorrow Louis has an appointment with the vets in Mons for his pet passport stamp, but I've found a vet in Sedan which would save us a journey to Mons if they can see him tomorrow ?

I'll ring when they open in the morning and practice, or inflict my O' level school boy French on them.

Tonight we overlook the river Meuse in Sedan

Sedan Castle, largest in Europe ? I doubt it

Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens

River Meuse

Auberive and Troyes

 Auberive and Troyes

Yesterday's rain continued onto the night on and off and it was very grey and damp on our early morning doggie walk.

So what to do today ?

There are lots of interesting little towns in France worth a wander around but in the rain they're rather less appealing.

So it was a bit of a dilemma, what to do today.

Eventually I decided we'd head for Troyes which I'd read about and it sounded an interesting medieval town.

Our journey took us across the Parc National de Forests and into the Champagne region, through some beautiful countryside with fantastic autumn colours.

I wasn't temped by the Champagne by the way !

We losely followed the path of the river Seine north, and watched it develop from a small stream, into quite a proper river by the time it gets to Troyes.
I wonder if my Pooh stick thrown in at the source is making good progress ?

Actually, I think it got stuck on some grass, so it's probably still there at the source, lol.

Troyes is actually a remarkable place.

I don't think I've ever seen so many colourful Tudor style timber frame buildings, most of which look genuine given their higgeldy piggeldy leaning appearance.

Somehow they must have escaped the bombs and destruction of two world wars.

There was a WWll battle in Troyes where Germans were forced out of the town, but it looks like it escaped bombing.

Here are some photos of Troys, they all probably look a bit grey and dull in the rain which was forever threatening to soak us while walking around.

Thankfully it didn't, but definitely a rather wet day.

Louis checking out what goes on in a Cat Cafe

We left Troyes and moved 30 km north to a place called La Chene for tonight.

On the motorhome aire this evening, I got talking to an English couple in a Land Rover who've driven around the world in it, in the northern hemisphere.

They're presently on their way to Africa to tour there !

For two years +

That takes some serious adventurous spirit and guts to do. 

Wow, I'm full of admiration for them.

There are still lots of petrol stations out of fuel, but I managed to top up again at the third attempt, so I should be ok now.