Pat, Bryan and I started out on a Saturday morning around 11 a.m. with the map laid out for two weeks of travel. We had B&Bs lined up for most nights (using the recommendations of the Michelin Green Guide for the regions we were visiting), and a few days were designated for guided tours. Our first stop was La Rochelle, a city of the west coast of France on the Atlantic Ocean. Our rooms were in the outbuildings at a farm in the middle of huge wheat fields (Chambres d'Hotes "Margorie").
The woman of the house offered homemade jellies for our breakfast, including fig from this tree. We were greeted by a big golden Labrador, and the rooms were comfortable enough, but a bit musty smelling. We had been told this was a great place in the summer, but it might be all shut up now that the season was over, but we were pleasantly surprised. I do bet it's nice here in the summer. There were pheasants in the fields at the end of the driveway, and I bet a few deer, too.We got checked in and then headed into La Rochelle for a look see. Well, maybe for a drink. This a port city with lots of boots, a few medieval towers, and a really nice aquarium. We spent several hours there the second day. Looking at the narrow streets and beautiful architecture.
We had dinner our first night at the highly touted restaurant, Andre, but we weren't all that impressed. The seafood was basic and bland. The other meals were excellent though, so there was nothing to be too put out about.
This was once a roman town, so there are a lot of remnants incorporated in the oldest buildings (churches, etc).
Enjoy.
