A day out in the Medieval town of Pérouges- 19th Oct ‘19

So, remember that famous Billy Connolly line ... there’s no such thing as bad weather just the wrong sort of clothes? I’m not convinced Billy!

The rain had stopped by the time we woke up. So it was the sound of the workmen not the rain that woke us up this morning. They are working on upgrading part of the campsite (right beside our van!) and obviously they had read the weather forecast that this morning was going to be dry.

The usual lazy morning breakfasting, tea in bedding and abluting. We left the campsite at about 12.30. With the night to sleep on it we have decided to stay put today and travel overnight grabbing some sleep at a Aire on the way down to our final destination. So that meant we had the day to spend in the area. We considered Lyon for the afternoon but decided against it, as impressive as it looked, it is after all visiting France’s second biggest city on a Saturday afternoon!?

We were keen to see a bit of traditional France so we googled the nearest Medieval walled city and came across a place called Pérouges. About 30 miles away with a route that took us through Lyon via a number of motorways and very impressive tunnels. Not so impressive is the toll system here. They are everywhere and not very user friendly. As Kim was sitting on the left side of the car she was in the firing line! To be fair, the French must know their system inadequacies as every one is very relaxed and understanding with each other.

We arrived at Pérouges at about 1.30 - what a place?!
We did manage the first 30 mins before the first of the rain storms swept in. And when I say rain ...

After getting soaked we had a look around the town museum and went in a few quant (but very over priced!) shops. They seem to specialise in Galettes so we found a lovely place in the central square called Ostellerie Du Vieux Pérouges and had coffee and galettes - gorgeous!

This place is so historical. It’s been used for the back drop of lots of French films and you can see why. I know it’s a corny throw away line but you really have to say that not much has changed in the way the place looks over the last 3 or 400 years!

The second monsoon then swept in and we got soaked again - note to Mr Connolly ... even waterproof coats can only do so much to keep you dry when you experience someone turning the tap on!

We had a look around the very evocative village church before heading back to the car and completing a very pleasant 2.5 hr visit. We’re surprised by French churches / cathedrals - you would think, being Catholic, they would be very elaborate but the ain’t. They are very plain with, unlike their Uk counterparts, a notable absence of rich / important people’s tombs and epitaphs. Not so interesting but stripped back to the raw materials of stone, glass and wood you can’t help but be impressed.

The return journey through Lyon in the pouring rain was not particularly fun. We did see lots of traffic jams but managed not to get caught in any of them! We popped into the Buffalo Grill in the retail park just across from the site for a bit of early tea. I left my veggie ness in the car for this one - it’s proving quite hard in France and in French to eat well and avoid cows or chickens!

The blue sky has returned at 6, just in time for setting. We grabbed a few hours R&R in Brunnehilda before starting to pack up. We plan to get on the road by 9.30pm - Dieu le veut!

NEWS FLASH: Change of plan, we’re knackered so decided on an early start tomorrow. So Belgian Beer, episode of The Wire and early night!

H