cycling france part four

Soissons and Compigne.

This is the carriage in the clearing where the Germans surrendered  in 1918 and then the French in 1940 except it isn't because the Germans burnt it in 1945, presumably to avoid the humiliation. Its a similar carriage, made a little later.

We Went to Montdidier, expecting to go to Amiens, but it was booked out, so Beauvais.

The astronomical clock in the Beauvais cathedral.

Ancient druidic stones outside Gisors. I couldn't find any more information beyond what is on geocaching.com

Cyder press, 18th century.

This monument dates back to the Knights Templar as we were told by a local.

Mantes-la-Jolie then Versailles

1500 km later we arrive at our Paris hotel.

Cycling France part three

I love the gnomes!

We left the the Burgundy canal for Vezelay. Its strategically located on a hilltop, it was quite a climb for us.

Vezelay has  lots of tourists. The abbey is said to hold the relics (bones) of Mary Magdelene,

but it doesn't because the Huguenots destroyed the relics in the 16th century. Vezelay was also a starting point for the second and third crusades and a starting point for the Compostela pilgrim trail.

Next we join the Canal_du_Nivernais to Auxerre and Sens.

Nature et Paysans in Villadin just west of Troyes made us coffee and chocolate despite a busy baking day. It sells wood fired organic bread and fair trade products.

Troyes. 

We followed the Canal de la Haute Seine bike path north west out of Troyes as far a Mery sur Seine.

The mill at Anglure on the way to Sezanne.

A bit of street performance in a village.

Mondement-Montgivroux Le Monument national de la victoire de la Marne, marks the turning point of the German invasion of France in the first world war. The advance was stopped here, 3 years of trench war stalemate followed.

Next Epernay and Reims.

France cycle part two

Leaving Beaune a short sharp climb over to the Ouche valley.

Then north along the Burgundy canal.

Pouilly en Auxois

As the sign says, the tunnel is 3km long, and was built 1826 -1832.

The electric tug 

is  a bit like a tram with a pantograph. It towed barges through the tunnel. It operated 1893 - 1987.

We never heard if the horse got out of the canal OK.

 Semur 

Cycling France

Six of us left Strasbourg together, Helmut was only going part way. We followed the canal east to Molsheim and stayed at Barr.

 

The market at Molsheim. 

Barr

We followed the Route des Vins south to Colmar and Mulhouse.

 The Rhine canal, In  the distance the Fessenheim nuclear power plant, the oldest working in France.

We had a wet day riding from Colmar to Mulhouse,  were very lucky to find a barge restaurant , a delicious $13 lunch.

Inside the barge,  6 wet but happy cyclists. 

Continuing along the Rhine Rhone canal from Mulhouse along the Eurovelo6 bike path, we stayed in the Hôtel de France, Montbéliard. A lovely old family hotel, I was expecting Basil any second . Next Hyevre.

Next the fort city of Besancon with its Roman gate.

The well in Besancon citidel is very deep,  going right down to the river . It has a treadmill to lift the bucket. 

We follow the Rhine Rhone canal west along the river Doubs past Dole. It reaches the river Saone and it swings south so we leave it there. 

On the other side of the Saone valley Beaune with its hospice.