A French adventure

 It was around Christmas last year that I discovered the 2024 Tour de France would be passing through St Amand-Montrond. I have stayed at a lovely chateau a few miles from there on several occasions last, so this gave me justification for booking another trip. This is rapidly becoming one of my favourite parts of France, and each visit brings another discovery.

Thre days ago, Thursday 4th July, was the UK's general election. I voted, did laundry, had a snack lunch, packed my car and drove to Portsmouth. I whiled away a few hours at Gunwharf Quays, including a trip up the Spinnaker Tower, and then headed to the Brittany Ferries terminal for the overnight crossing to Ouistreham in Normandy. It wasn't a good night, my cabin suffered from heavy engine noise and some continual rattling so I didn't sleep at all. But once I'd left the port and hit the road that all faded away. As the clouds started to clear, and blue skies appeared, my spirits lifted. A couple of short stops to charge the car, and get coffee got me most of the way here. I made a further stop just a few miles away to top up the car for the trip I had planned for Saturday, and arrived around 2pm.

On a previous visit I had been told about a number of painted churches in this part of France, and further research revealed web sites, leaflets  and even a booklet about thses wondrous buildings. I visited the nearest one at Chateloy on a visit last summer, and determined to visit as many as possible. I had plotted all the locations on Google Maps, so could plan a route.

Saturday was expected to be damp so I decided that woud be a good day for my exploration. The official title of the collection is 'La Route des Eglises Peintes du Bourbonnais' and my first task was to get a copy of the booklet. The nearest tourist office, in Herrison, was supposed to keep copies for sale, but on arrival on Saturday I found the office closed! A quick rethink and I was off to the tourist office in Chantelle where a very lovely young lady sold me the last copy they had in stock. I managed to visit eight churches yesterday. This image is from the Église Saint-Julien de Saulcet, probably the best of the day.

Today, Sunday, was forecast to be warm and sunny - which meant it had to be a cycling day. After breakfast I assembled my gravel bike, which travels in the car with wheels, bars  seat post and pedals removed. I set off around 11am to follow the northbound section of the disused Canal de Berry. By midday I was in St Amand having a coffee outside a good old traditional French bar. As I left I happened upon a bakery where I bought an individual quiche to eat for lunch on my way back. 

A nice 33km ride in glorious weather made this a wonderful day. I've just returned from supper at a very good but unassuming little pizzeria St Amand. And now it's time for bed before tomorrow's adventure.