Europe Road Trip – France (Aug 19)

It’s about this time of year that Natty and I head off on our European tour. Last year was magical.

We had no idea where we were going then, much the same as now. This year has started off even better.

The rough plan “was” to head to Tuscany stopping on route for a night – somewhere….

However, like last year, but in a very different part of France we’ve stumbled across an absolute gem.

And like last year it’s caused us to rethink. We now plan to stay here until at least Monday possibly later.

Just south of Switzerland this region is called Pays du Lac Aiguebelette. We are at Lépin-le-Lac. It’s kind of like the Italian lakes but a lot less commercial. Lots of elbow room too. No motor engines have been allowed to be used here for 20 years – so no pollution whatsoever. The water temperature is in double figures and it’s unbelievably gin clear. Those pictures don’t lie. We are on a campsite (£14 per night all in) and so are treating ourselves to some great food (and wine). I’ve lost count how many times we’ve been swimming – much needed in this heat and after the 15k cycle around the lake yesterday I’ve managed to get Natty on the bike a LOT. A Local market this morning and then some paddle boarding. Some places you fall in love with immediately. This is one of them. Wine o’clock (again). This place is wonderful. We both feel like we’ve been here for ages. That’s a great sign… and it’s only day 2

Our plans to head for Italy went clean out the window… mainly as a result of Natty’s prompting and prodding along with other timely interventions from friends.

And what a great holiday this has turned out to be as a result. Just like last year Natty called most of the shots which meant we really didn’t know what we where going to do from one day to the next. We ended up staying at the lake in Pays du Lac Aiguebelette for three days longer than planned – which is why I ended up updating my last FB post with more pics. Natty wanted to go out on the lake again, again and again. We also met some lovely Dutch and German families on the adjacent pitches which made it hard to leave. Everyone we met had found this corner of paradise just like us – by mistake. All have returned.

So…Having announced our arrival in France last weekend, we were contacted by a few people during w the week who kindly offered us alternatives to our Italian plans. The first being Fabrice, who invited us to stay with him, Django and Areza in Provence. It was a no brainier for Natty to spend some time with his old rugby buddy and likewise for me to catch up with Fabrice. So off we drove to Saint Cannat which is in the heart of Provence where we explored the region, did lots of swimming and drunk far too much local wine! Well boys will be boys and Marie was still in Brussels.

We played Pétanque most nights in the town square, and like everything in life Fabrice plays to win… but luckily for me he is also French and so has got used to losing over the years … Sadly for all of us Areza was a natural landing close to the pig every time. Great nights. It’s got to be Crown Bowls next time you come to Blighty mate!

Over the next three days we explored the region and did something different every day. The coastal pictures on the album are from a day that Natty, Django and I spent on the Cassis region on the Med. It was here where we found a “calanque” which is best described as a Mediterranean Fjord. Quite stunning.

We then headed to the city of Marseille for a bit of contrast heading for the Notre-Dame de la Garde where the views were spectacular.

We were then contacted by Natty’s uncle Stephan who has a summer house in the Auvergne. He extended an invitation to join him last year but we were unable to make it then. This time the stars aligned – so we headed to Ambert on the first leg of our journey home. This place is in the middle on nowhere, a rural location with amazing natural beauty.

It was also great for Natty to meet some relations including three half cousins. We spent the time cycling, walking within this beautiful setting as well as playing Krokonol with Stephan, Erol and Naima. Of course just like Fabrice, Stephan also plays to win… and he did. Twice! A great family game.

The final leg has placed us back at Natty’s favourite campsite in the north of Auvergne back on the fishing lake on the side of the volcanic mountains. We head home today. What a holiday. They don’t get much better than this!