srettig24 Across the Charente River in Saintes
Bordeaux
With plenty of history, charm, and well wine Bordeaux has much to offer and is worth a visit in France. The Cité du Vin is a museum- the exterior is made to look like wine being spun in a glass (worth a google) and is dedicated the “universal and living heritage of wine”. While this is perhaps the most noticeable building along the Garonne River, Bordeaux has plenty of historic buildings that enrich your experience and demonstrate that France is more than just Paris! I found Bordeaux more to my taste than Paris- it’s smaller and relaxed, but it still oozzes with a French feel.
Crowds of people shoulder-to-shoulder walk along Bordeaux’s most popular street Rue Sainte-Catherine at lunch time on Saturday. Rue Sainte-Catherine is 1,250 meters long and is the longest shopping street in Europe with over over 200 shops. The photo on the left is of a side street which was much more quiet with fruit stores and cafes.
Aunlay
Aunlay is a village along the Camino de Santiago that I was able to stay in over the holiday season. I was in dire need of a break after some high-intensity travel! Aunlay a quiet little village with a slow pace of life was the perfect place. The weather while normally left much to be desired- gray and rainy nearly every day-but was perfect for operation rest and restore.
Aulnay is on Via Turonensis which is one of the ways of St. James. (You will remember the way to Saint James from my experience walking the Camino de Santiago as I took part of the way of Saint James to Santiago, Go check out this post if you haven’t read it!). The church of Saint-Pierre d’Aulnay on the left was built in the 12th century, and is one of the oldest churches in France. It is iconic because of the unique carvings inside the church.
Saint Jean D’Aunlay
Saint Jean D’Aunlay is one of the bigger cities in the area. Also known as Saint John this city is known for its restaurants and downtown area and as the nearest train station. The first time I went it was pouring rain- (unsurprising) but its best at night! It has several good restaurants in the center most notably a Tapas bar in the center.
Saintes
Saintes is a great place to stop for lunch or spend an afternoon. The Roman amphitheater is being restored but is very unique from other ones that I have seen. (see below on left) I took the photo on the right, walking the river. There is green space along the river banks and a few foot bridges that make walking through the town easy. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Saintes for a quick drink or a meal.
I thought that this archway was particularly ornate and echoed the carvings on the cathedral in Angoulême (see below). The two cathedrals (photos above) are the Basilique Saint-Euturope de Saintes and Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, which are both located on hills on separate ends of the town. You can see both of them towering above the rest of the town.
Angoulême
What do you know… Another Church! Because we haven’t covered enough already- here is another! This is the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre d’Angoulême, which is museum. It was turned into a museum because of important, “archaeological, ethnographic and artistic collections”.
We all know that I love street art, maybe that’s why I liked Angoulême so much.
This is an indoor marketplace that sells prepared food, meats, cheese etc. The architecture style of this building is common among marketplaces across France- I went to several other towns which similar buildings and markets.
Cognac
Locals ranted and raved about Cognac, so against my better judgment I had some expectations. Unless you really want to go Cognac tasting or have a shopping addiction that must be satisfied by another set of generic shops along a stone street, don’t bother. Now I did go when it was pouring rain so I suppose factor that into the equation; yet I went to all these places in the rain. I would pick Angoulême over Cognac.
L+S- thanks for having me G- thanks for the driving, sarcasm, and tea K- Focus on yourself, you don’t know where it will lead you
