I have now finished Stage 1 of the route, a sense of achievement and progress in some respects, and at least noticeable headway east into France when I look at where I am, although in reality it is only a small section of the whole. The frustrations of the first two days are hopefully now well behind me; the waters are down, but still higher than usual, but I am also higher relative to the river.
In this first stage I have seen the Loire change from a wide river estuary carrying all the marks of industry on its far shore, to a narrower (but still wide) river of deep-green waters, lined with woodland, sandy shorelines and dotted with small villages and towns. The next stage will see me across the rest of France and into Switzerland; the French leg is the longest that I will spend in one country, by mileage at least. The major Loire cities of St Nazaire, Nantes, Angers, Tours and Orléans are now behind me. According to the stage guide I will now pass into Southern Burgundy and can expect characterful towns, industrial heritage and famous vineyards as I continue on pleasant waterside routes alongside beautiful natural areas. Around Besançon, about four days from here, the area has a lot of historic towns situated under dramatic cliffs and rocks.
After Besançon the route then departs from the Loire and picks up the Rhone-Rhine Canal, arriving in the south of the French region of Alsace on the German border and Mulhouse, a cultural and gastronomic centre with a rich industrial past and often referred to as the 'French Manchester'. The stage finishes in the Swiss city of Basel. As with Stage 1, I estimate that it should take me about a week to complete.
No comments:
Post a Comment