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It was from Dives-sur-Mer (opposite Cabourg) that William the Conqueror assembled his fleet for the invasion of England in 1066. |
Heading inland we arrive at the town of Argentan which witnessed the final battle for Normandy in 1944. It is some 150 kilometres (almost 100 miles) west of Paris.
Continuing on we pass just to the west of Alençon.
Further south we again pass to the west of the town of
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Le Mans is the ancient capital of Maine. In the 11th century the town was taken by William the Conqueror. His grand-daughter Matilda married Geoffroi Plantagenêt (the father of King Henry II of England) and who was buried in the cathedral. |
Crossing the Loire just to the east of Saumur midway between Angers and Tours.
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Saumur is famous for its sparkling wines which were introduced by King Henry II of England to the English Court. |
We pass to the west of
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Poitiers a town steeped in history. It has twice been under English rule. Firstly when Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Henry II of England. Secondly in 1356 when the Black Prince won a famous victory over Jean le Bon at Nouaille-Maupertuis (to the south-east of Poitiers) destroying his army and taking him prisoner. |
We pass the world famous wine distilling town of Cognac famous for its brandy and to the west of Angoulême with the River Charente flowing through.
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Cognac is famous for eau-de-vie, most of which is exported to the USA and UK. The method of distillation has changed little in 400 years. Exporting vin brûlè or 'burnt wine' (brandewijn in Dutch) became 'brandy' in English. It has the property of keeping indefinitely. Brandy doesn't mature in the bottle, only in the cask; Casks are made from oak trees from the forests of Limousin. Admiral Nelson's body was kept in brandy on the return journey from the Battle of Trafalgar to his laying in state at Greenwich. |
We reach the River Dordogne just to the east of St-Émilion.
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St-Émilion is an historic fortified town which is the centre of one of the largest and most famous Bordeaux wine districts. Here you will find the Tour de Roi (King's Castle) built on the orders of King Henry III of England in the 13th century. It is a thriving town with traditions of wine culture and management going back in history before King Edward I of England defined the limits of jurisdiction or appellation controlée which remain the same to this day. |
We traverse the River Gironne - the rich vine growing Bordeaux region. With the town of Bordeaux to the east.
We pass to the west of Tarbes
Climbing the Pyrennes we arrive at the religious shrine of Lourdes
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Lourdes is visited each year by millions of pilgrims (more than visit Mecca or Rome). Many pilgrims are incurable ill and come to visit the healing waters. It was in 1858 that Bernadette Soubirios, then 14, first saw her vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The crowds are at their greatest between 15 August and 8 September. |
Climbing above 3,000 metres to reach the border with Spain
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France, Europe
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