Brive - Day 2 - January 19th

Day 2

After a good nights sleep, during which Thomas was able to obtain extra bedding for us, we were able to leave the boat and set off for Le Mans. We decided to skip breakfast on the boat and get it on the road once we were on our way.

Thomas stealing the duvee from the locked berth above

We set of after leaving the boat and decided to travel the 'Eco' route, not knowing quite what that meant.  What it did mean was that we were taken off the normal motorway route and by-passing such landmarks as the Pont de Tancerville, which we went under instead of over.

The Pont de Tancerville

As we travelled on we thought we were going to cross another bridge but it was to be a ferry across the Seine.  Shades of Denmark with Kevin, but not so long a trip.  This was at a place called Port Jerome, Quillebeouf sur Seine.

The ferry coming over to get us

Crossing the Seine

Me, in the car, waiting to drive off

After leaving the ferry we decided to reset the Sat Nav to 'Fastest' mode and so began our motorway journey to Le Mans. It was bitterly cold, minus 2 or 3 degrees but not a cloud in the sky and absolutely the best conditions for driving on a near empty motorway.

After about 90 minutes we were approaching Le Mans, not far off our projected arrival time of mid day.

The sign we had been waiting for

On arriving in Le Mans we booked into our hotel, the 'Levasseur' named after the famed 18th century campaigner against slavery and after leaving our stuff in the room went on a bit of exploration around town.

The following photographs will give you an idea of the old town area of Le Mans.  It is a truly wonderful city and if you can, please visit at some time.

Leading towards the steps of the Pont Neuf

The Cathedral, started in 1080 and completed 350 years later

A fountain frozen in time by the sudden drop in temperature

The Hotel de Ville

Restaurants in the square

The house of the red pillar

Another view of the house of the red pillar

The hose of the green pillar

After this we went back to the hotel Levasseur for a little relaxation before venturing out in the evening for a meal.

Our hotel in Le Mans

The somewhat deceptive entrance to the hotel

We went out later and I had my first Indian meal in France, and it was really good.  We ate in the Bombay restaurant and could not fault it, except when they asked us to leave because they wanted to close.

The Indian restaurant we ate in before being asked to leave.

Then it was back to the hotel.  On to Brive tomorrow.