The backroads of rural France

An 11am checkout allowed time to visit the markets for lunch provisions, which was fortunate as it was raining and forecast to clear late morning. The market space was huge, but there was only a small number of stalls.  Still, we could buy fruit, bread and pastries which was all we needed for lunch. By the time we returned, the weather was improving and we only needed raincoats to protect us against a light drizzle as we cycled out of town.  

We passed through little villages and planned to stop at a sports field in one of them for morning tea.  We cycled through the village but there was nowhere to sit, except for a bus stop. So we set ourselves up there for morning tea.

The route passed through Roquefort, and I had originally thought this was the home of Roquefort cheese.  Not the case, though it did have some lovely old buildings, a bridge over the River Douze and the remains of some old walls.  Best of all, it had a park with tables and a toilet.  All the essentials for a picnic lunch.

We continued along quiet country roads before picking up the Voie de Vézelay, a greenway built on a old rail line.  It was pleasant riding, if a little slow at times, with one scenic stop along the way.

The Chapelle de Luguat in Retjons, built in the 12th century, is located on the Way of St James, 1000km from Santiago de Compestela.  It is renowned for its interior frescoes, but unfortunately, the chapel was closed so we were unable to view them.  

From there, it was a short ride into our bed and breakfast accommodation.  The village of Bourriot-Bergance had no food options and we had prebooked the Table D’Hote at our accommodation for dinner. Another cycling couple from Bordeaux, Frederic and Natalie, shared our table for dinner.  We had a lovely evening, exchanging cycling stories in a mix of their (better) English and our (marginal) French.

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