10 September 2022 – Saintes

Miles driven today = 0

Total Miles to date = 634

We went to the campsite reception yesterday evening and got hold of a leaflet with suggested walking routes around Saintes and quickly realised that most of the sites are in a relatively compact area.  We therefore changed our mind about getting the bikes out of the garage and I'm actually rather glad we did because Saintes has turned out to be an absolute gem and we probably wouldn't have got to see anywhere near as much as we have if we were constantly worrying about somebody pedalling off on our trusty steeds.

My day however started wih a bit of laundry admin so we both now have a full compliment of underwear again.  Once that was on the line our day could really begin.

First stop was a viewpoint, which actually turned out to be a little uninspiring.  It did however give us a chance to have a quick look around the ruins of some Roman baths, which weren't actually shown on the map.

We strolled on back down the hill and past the Church of St Vivien de Saintes.

And on to the Palais de Justice or courthouse to you and me.

We made our way down the main shopping street.  Wherever you go the Cathedral dominates the skyline.

Over the bridge to the east bank there is a small beach area complete with palm trees, deckchairs and imported sand.

The Arc de Germanicus dates back to circa 18AD.  It's easy to see where they got the inspiration for the big one in Paris.

This little train does a 40 minute circuit of the main tourist attractions.  They park it up for the night in our campsite but we've resisted taking it for a joyride so far.

Back streets in Saintes.  I mentioned yesterday how everything has a far more Mediterranean feel about it.  You can see what I mean here.

Abbay aux Dames

Detail of the carvings over the main entrance.

Inside there were lots of unusual tapestries, many of which seemed to have an African influence.

Outside a small music festivel is taking place, although we were there a little too early in the day to catch any of the performances.

Back to the river and over a footbridge.

I do love a good market.  I've been to dozens all over the World and it's the one place where you really get a feel for the places you visit.

Garlic bunches.  €6 a bunch.  They even plait the stems for you.

Inside the Cathedral of St Pierre.

One of the side chapels had an almost comic portrait of the Pope.  Plus another of those unusual tapestries.

Cathedral exterior.

In one of the courtyards was an exibition of photography by Severine Desmarist.  It was entitled "Hands of Peace" and comprised of portraits of well known peace activists and humanitarians from around the World, all with hands in prominent positions.

Cathedral courtyard.

We were starting to flag so we fortified ourselves at a Creperie a short distance from the Cathedral.

This fasinating old building stood opposite the creperie.

On to another viewpoint with a much more intersting vista across the rooftops.

I believe this was an old hospital but it's currently unused and heavily grafitied in some places.

The Basillica of Saint Eutrope.

The crypt is nearly 1,000 years old and contains what is understood to be the  remains of St Eutrope.  The first bishop to be appointed to this region.

Final stop on the tour was the Roman Ampitheatre

There is a lot of renovation work going on but you can still get down into the arena and pretend to be Russell Crowe.  It really was quite sombering to think how many poor souls met with a grisly end here.

This was the "Gate of Death".  So called because this is where they removed the corpses of the unfortunate losers in the gladitorial fights to.

After all that we were gasping for a beer but it seems that most of the bars around here close for the afternoon.  We finally found an open one next to where the market had been and helped ourselves to a couple of glasses of Grimbergen.  The market had completely disappeared and parked cars filled the space where the stalls had been just a few hours earlier.

The temperature has got up to 25 degrees this afternoon, although it felt hotter, and we put the awning out for a while to protect the fridge.  Tomorrow it's due to get up to 31 and to 35 on Monday so we are going to head for the coast and hopefully get our swimming gear on and some sand between our toes before we cross the border into Spain later in the week.

11 September 2022 - To the Beach!