France Trip - Day 16

Another walk direct from the site today.

First we went to the shore of Mervent Lake, then walked all the way round to its dam.

The outflow of the dam is the Vendée river, that the region is named after. We went down to the riverbank and gave Oscar a paddle, then walked downstream for a while.

After a mile or so we headed away from the river. This part of the trail is also part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrims' trail.

We made our way to a large picnic area where we had our lunch, then carried on through the forest.

The last part of the walk retraced our steps on the shore of Mervent Lake, then back to the campsite.

Later for dinner we had a barbecue of marinated steak, onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, coleslaw, and  beetroot salad.

France Trip - Day 15

We did a forest walk from the site today. First round part of Mervent Lake, which was very still and picturesque.

We went higher into the forest, past a cliff called the White Rock that's used by rock climbers.

We came to a chateau that isn't open to the public but we sat in the grounds under a tree to have our lunch. Oscar had a dip in the moat.

We went back via the centre of Mervent village. It was very quiet, but did have a bar in the centre that said it was open, though seemed deserted. Eventually Scott had to whistle loudly to attract the waiter who was upstairs practicing his guitar. After serving us he changed the sign to "closed", so I think we were lucky to get our drink.

Before heading back we went over to the village viewpoint looking down to the lake. This village has city walls too.

After walking back to the campsite we went for a swim in the pool, which was very refreshing.

Later we had a barbecue of spicy marinated pork steaks, pepper, courgette, new potatoes, coleslaw, and beetroot salad.

France Trip - Day 14

We left in the morning and went to an Aldi for some shopping. Then we decided to head inland for a change, to the forests around Mervent Lake. Before going to our chosen campsite, we wanted to go for a walk in the woods. However all the car parks we stopped at had these signs:

Basically saying the forest paths are closed in the afternoons because of the risk of wildfires.

So instead we drove on to the village of Vouvant and had a walk around. It was very pretty, with a church in the main square and city walls round it all, with towers. Also with rivers on 3 sides of it.

There was an old laundry where villagers used to wash their clothes.

Where the path crossed a small river there was an unmanned chain ferry that you had to pull over from the other side, then pull yourself across.

After finishing our walk we went to the campsite, Camping La Jolitière, which is just outside Mervent village. Before booking in we asked about the forest fire signs. The owner phoned the ranger and assured us that today was the last day they applied, and they were re-opening.

We paid for 3 nights at about £18 per night including electricity. The site was very quiet, and our pitch was nice and shaded.

It has a covered swimming pool.

Later for dinner we had a tuna and cheese salad with lettuce, cucumber, spring onions, and tomatoes.

France Trip - Day 13

We left the site in the morning and drove further south. We stopped at a village aire in Le Champ-Saint-Père, which cost about £9.50 per night including electricity.

We took a walk round the village, passing a park with toilets, a church and cemetery, then along the main street which has a few shops.

For dinner we had a barbecue - chicken skewers, pepper, courgette, mushrooms, and new potatoes.

France Trip - Day 12

Another day on the bikes today. We went to a supermarket then Decathlon as one of our camp chairs had broken. We identified a suitable replacement in Decathlon and planned to pick it up on the way back.

We cycled down the main cycle path in the middle of the island, then headed west to the marina at Port de Morin. This part of the island used to have lots of windmills, and some of them are still there.

We cycled down the coast on the quieter village streets on this side of the island.

We took a little walk through a forest to a beach to have our lunch.

Then back on the bikes towards the main central cycle path again. There's a row of four windmills converted into houses.

We went back to Decathlon to buy the chair, and eventually worked out we could put it in the trailer with Oscar. Then cycled back to the campsite.

The bikes were picked up at reception at 6.30pm.

Later we went out for dinner at the campsite restaurant. It mainly sold pizzas but they were very good. Shirley's one was with pesto an Emmental cheese and was particularly delicious. Scott's was a kebab pizza and fine too.

France Trip - Day 11

Our hired bikes were waiting for us at reception. I'm not 100% sure Oscar enjoyed being put in the trailer but he was well secured in so didn't get much say in the matter.

We did a circular route at the north of the island, first having a look at the beach on the north coast, then heading for the fishing port of L'Herbaudière in the far north west corner.

From there we skirted the central part of the island, which is covered in salt pans, some of which are still in use and some are derelict. There are occasional stalls selling the salt.

After cutting across to the east coast we locked our bikes just outsider Normoutier town and sat the the shade having our lunch. We then had a walk into town, which was very busy. We saw the castle and church, then bought an ice cream.

Back on the bikes we cycled along the dockside then started up the east coast.

We parked the bikes at the edge of a forest and walked to a beach, which was very busy. It had bars, restaurants, beach huts and a fishing pier.

We had a drink from one of the bars sitting at a nice shady table overlooking the beach, then had a walk through the woods. We came across a lighthouse.

After making our way back to the bikes we completed the circular route by going to the top of the island again, to another beach at Vieil.

Then back down the road to the campsite.

Later we had a barbecue of burgers, rolls, pepper, mushrooms, onion and coleslaw.