AZAY-LE-RIDEAU – THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL…

27^th November

 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN 

 

Azay-le-Rideau was where we had booked at a very small hotel for our next nights stay ; in itself a very modest town off the main road to Tours.  Leaving St Emilion we took the D674 road to Angouleme

 

 EN-ROUTE – LA ROCHE CHALAIS

 

En route, we stoppped off for a coffee and a quick bite for breakfast at La Roche-Chalais.  Early Sunday morning found a cafe open close to the church on the high ground.  It overlooked the river Dronne, which  from our viewpoint appeared quite wide.   A bridge with an impressive, single arching span crossed it.

 

ANGOULEME – the original home of the Plantagenets.

 

 

(Disappointingly, when we reached Angouleme we saw no trace of that fierce medieval Royal Family in both France and England.  Athough we passed a castle it did not appear to be open to the public.)

We stopped for an hour or so, seeking lunch.    Our road dictated us winding up and up, past a lovely covered market.  We looked in vain for somewhere to park nearby, even turning back and driving in a loop.

Carrying on up the narrow hill we finally found a large open ‘Place’ surrounded by grand civic buildings.   We were fortunate to park in a tiny side street, after first checking with a local lady.  I noticed a sign pointing to The Ramparts, so urged Graham to just walk round the corner to see.

 

 

ANGOULEME – A GRAND PROMENADE – AND A GREAT VIEW

 

We found ourselves in a wide street bordered on one side by railings.  Looking over, you could see far below to a street of grand houses.   A little further on was a large monument, with people seated on and near it, eating sandwiches.

Thinking of our time, Graham went back and fetched the remains of our good boulangerie breakfast and bottled water.  We enjoyed this looking out over a wide view of a green park and golf course a couple of miles off to our left.  The streets of the town wound ever down on our right, with a river a mile or two off.  It was very dramatic, and pleasant in the November sun.

 

SANDWICHES WITH 5^TH PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

 

We found we were sitting beneath the statue of politician and mathematician Lazare Carnot, who was fifth President of France.  (I hope I’ve remembered that aright.  He was the 5^th something, anyway).

 

 

 

 

 

AZAY-LE-RIDEAU – THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL…

 

Not long afterwards we were crossing that river on our way to the small town of Azay-le-Rideau, near Tours. 

After a little riding round we found our small hotel, tucked away in a side street.

 

 

The Hotel Val-de-Loire is a well-run hostelry, perhaps slightly impersonal at the end of The

Season; (we arrived 27th November).  That we could understand.  However, our ensuite was bright and spotless.  Nothing was neglected for our comfort.  The extra pillows I had requested were in place, and the reading lamps worked.

Hotel Val-de-Loire, 50/52 Rue nationale, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau, France

Room Tip: As it stands back from a side street, all rooms are quiet.

 

 

WHEN EATING OUT – NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

 

It was a pity that the hotel dining room was closed.  We were told that it being a Sunday there would be only one eating-place open in the town – the Grill in the square.  From the outside it did not impress.  When we entered we were dismayed to see games machines downstairs.  And the dining room was not thrilling – checked tablecloths, candles in bottles – a time warp.

 

 

GOOD SERVICE – THANKS TO DEPARDIEU LOOK-ALIKE

 

The young waitress totally ignored us, even though only one table was occupied.  That is  – until a family group came in.  We were treated to a big, friendly grin from a younger version of Gerard Depardieu.  This genial young local man maybe said something, because after that we had good service and a truly great meal at a very fair price.

 

 

A GREAT MEAL – SIZZLING STONES

 

Graham, in particular, was thrilled by his slivers of raw pork to sizzle on a hot stone.  It was accompanied by a nice, fresh salad and a little tub full of those excellent ‘frite’ only the French seem to come up with!  I cannot remember my meal; only that it was also very tasty.

So – not our chosen venue, but what a GREAT meal we ended up with!

Thttps://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g187117-d9569890-r461660946-Le_Bistrot-Azay_le_Rideau_Loire_Valley_Centre_Val_de_Loire.html#

 

 

AZAY-le-RIDEAU – TURN ASIDE FOR THIS TOWN AND VISIT ITS CHATEAU

 

Azay-le-Rideau is an attractive small town, with interesting little shops. The chateau is also exceptional we have learned – though we had no time to visit it.  If this town is on your route, do try staying there.

 

 

AZAY-LE-RIDEAU’S CHARMING LITTLE SHOPS

 

We bought some of the local goodies the next day, mostly from a small shop with two round tables, where we enjoyed Assam tea (made properly) and scrumptious cakes, willingly paying the somewhat high price.  We also bought some of Madame’s expensive home made local biscuits.  They looked wonderfully crisp and flaky, but proved to break up in your hand and taste disconcertingly like Weetabix.  We had to scoff them all in the car before they totally disintegrated!

 

 

Text by – Jackie Usher, SWWJ. (aka author Debbie Darkin, & ‘Graham Liverpool’ on Trip Advisor.)
Photographs by – Graham Usher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+