We have been out exploring a couple of nearby villages and taking in the local sights. We are getting used to the driving again (both driver and passenger) so the small narrow streets in the villages are no longer hair raising. Let me show you around the first three villages we have visited.

Angers

Angers (I think the translation to Australian would be “Onjay”) is on the Maine River and is a large city with a population of about 150,00 inhabitants. We strolled the city following the tourist guide and here is some of what we saw.

On our way we came across the Museum of Modern Art. Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder….I must be getting old!

One of my favourite things to find in France are the little local markets. We found this one in Angers and as usual in France the produce looked fabulous.

Candes Saint Martin

At the point where the Vienne and Loire rivers join and not far from where we are staying is Candes St Martins. Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France it is usually a very popular tourist destination, but we visited on Whit Monday, which is a public holiday here in France, and the town was very quiet. It was a bit of a shame really, as none of the shop were open, only a couple of restaurants.

Turquant

This was another of the towns we visited on Whit Monday. Very quiet but a pretty town nonetheless.

We are looking forward to continuing our backroads touring and finding some more lively villages as we go along.