We left the campsite after an awful night’s sleep. I was too hot and my mosquito bites were annoying me, then it started raining and huge drops from the trees kept plinking on Bertie’s roof. The 5-hour journey went really well though… apart from me dropping a stitch in my knitting and having a nightmare trying to sort it out! I’ll never finish these socks. 🤣
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We’re now in a lovely free aire at Charroux, with a wonderful view over the valley and rolling hills. We’ve driven through rain but, by the time we got here, the sun was shining. It’s about 5 degrees colder than it was in Avignon though… long sleeves are definitely needed.
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Charroux was once a Gallo-Roman military garrison and medieval town. It had two fortified walls with gates, and there’s plenty to see. We picked up a map from tourist information and explored. It didn’t take long because it’s small and compact.
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Charroux’s history is well-preserved and, as one of France’s ‘Beaux Villages’ (most beautiful villages) it’s unspoilt and very pretty, with a faded and rustic charm.
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The inhabitants obviously look after their village. There are flowers everywhere, the shutters are painted in lovely colours, and there are lots of quirky touches in the gardens and windows.
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As well as several restaurants (none of which were open on a Tuesday evening in late October 😂), there are all sorts of artisan shops selling arts and crafts, and produce such as chocolates, biscuits, soap, candles, mustard, jams and chutneys.
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After stopping for a beer and glass of rosé, we followed a geocache trail around the edge of the village. It was a lovely walk and the 7 caches were all interesting and not too challenging.
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Now we’re tucked up in Bertie, full of pasta and hoping for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we head to another beaux village, Yèvre-le-Châtel.
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Looks a really pretty interesting Beau Village and sunshine too, bonus ☀️😊. Better off season despite everywhere being shut 😟
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You’d definitely enjoy it. Places were open during the day, just not in the evening 😊
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Youre making me so nostalgic for France. It looks so quaint and typically French
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Sorry 😜 but I agree, these villages are wonderful 😍
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No need to apologise, I like the nostalgia … might make me start some planning. Need to get my passport sorted first
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Passports aren’t cheap these days!
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No but I lost the one I had, had to cancel it, so I need a new one. And I want to go exploring outside of Scotland 😆
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