Towns and villages

Towns and Villages

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Riverside scene at Chartre, near the cathedral

This is the small city in northern France famed for its cathedral with a double spire.

Chartres has a pleasant atmosphere, and a nice walk along the river can be found near the town centre. The local Ibis town centre hotel has a garage, and they don't seem to charge to put a motorbike in it. The other Ibis hotel is on the outskirts of Chartres, at Luce, but it doesn't have a garage. Chartres is a good place to stay the night because it is quite close to some of the channel ports - about three hours from Dieppe, if I remember correctly. Visit the French Gallery for another photograph.

Vendome (F)

Vendome on the banks of the Loire river. This part of France is fine for tourists with time to explore the region, but it is not great biking country.

There are several very pleasant places to stop in the Loire region including some famous chateaux, although because the land is comparatively flat there are few worthwhile scenic views. Vendome has a pleasant town centre with interesting buildings and a street market. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is a good place for a coffee stop. However, you need to beware the tourist book prose for the Loire region. Read this: "...timeless and refined air which proclaims the prodigality of nature...' Visit the French Gallery for another photograph.

Rocamadour (F)

Half-way between Brive and Cahors on the western edge of the Massif Central sits the town of Rocamadour which hangs on the edge of a cliff.

The countryside is gorgeous and the town is steeped in legend, according to the guide books. But to us bikers its an interesting place to stop, although it is a little off the main road (N20). The photograph above is taken from a viewpoint nearby which boasts plenty of cafes and restaurants. I can't describe the town itself, because I didn't have time to actually visit it.

Almazan - I think! (S)

Only the Spanish would have the sense of community fun to deliberately engineer a bridge like this.

Similar to many towns deep in inland Spain, Almazan has an old castle with an interesting walk. The town centre is 'timeless' and parts of it seem stuck in an earlier age. I stopped here because I just had to walk over the wibbly-wobbly bridge. A hostal just up the road going north is worth a stay (cheap enough) but the restaurant is not cheap (probably because of the 2 fork symbols).

Medinaceli (S)

About half way between Madrid and Zaragoza is the ancient village of Medinaceli, famous for the only triple-arched Roman gateway remaining in Spain.

Although the Roman ruins at Medinaceli are not up to Greek standards they are of passing interest and their position on the edge of a plain, looking down over the land below, makes it a little special. The beauty of this place is its peacefulness and calm. There are a couple of hostals in the old town (above) and a couple on the noisy main road below. Aim high if possible. Visit the Spanish Gallery for more photographs.

Autol, La Rioja (S)

Strange rock formations at Autol, La Rioja

These strange rock formations can be found in the Rioja region of Spain but isn't, apparently, the reason for the great wine which comes from this area.

I was very lucky that this chap with a donkey walked by at the right time for me to include him in my photograph. It gives the feeling that this place in deep into the countryside, but it is in fact on the edge of a town. There is a TV aerial cable, coming from a nearby house, snaking up to an aerial sitting on the top! You may just be able to see it if you load the larger image.

Siguenza (S)

This photograph shows part of the unspoilt town square in Siguenza.

Siguenza has an old castle which has been converted into a hotel, of a type called a Parador. This is where the Spanish government have converted old castles, monasteries, and similar institutions into high quality hotels to attract visitors, although there are also some more modern buildings. They are usually situated in spectacular situations, with marvelous views, or have interesting architectural features. Think of them as listed buildings. The tour guides insist that these are exceptional value for money. Well, they may have been once upon a time, but they certainly aren't anymore. I expect that they realised they were underpricing them and have put the prices up over the years. I've never stayed at one, so I can't comment really; but I can confirm some of the superb locations. I believe you can book them at travel agents in the UK.

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