This summer I was fortunate to spend four weeks travelling around France again with my family in our campervan. On our travels we came across a number of quirky art, museum and heritage sites:
Palace Idéal du Facteur Cheval, Hauterives - making a bit of detour on our travels we visited an incredible stone palace called Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval which was built between 1879 and 1912 by Ferdinand Cheval. He was a postman by day and outsider artist by night. It only took him 33 years to create his masterpiece! Find out more here
Musée du Velo, Tournus - featuring bikes through the ages this small museum displayed some wonderful bike posters, a wide variety of bicycles - including tricycles, tandoms and even a three seater bike - along with a section all about the Tour de France. I found it very interesting and I am not a massive bike fan. We were able to have a go on a number of unusual bicycles including one which was like a penny farthing - I was very surprised that I didn’t fall off! Take a look here
Grotte de Clamouse - these stunning caves featured stalactites, stalagmites and eccentric concentrations of dolomite/calcite, including one looking like a jelly fish which is used as their logo! However I am not sure we needed the rather cheesy light and sound show in one cave. The tour was in French but we had English audio guides which were very informative. For further details look here
Bunker 638, La Tamarissière - welcoming friendly volunteers explained about the restoration of this hospital bunker built by the Nazi occupation in France along with a hundred other bunkers along the South coast of France near Agde. It only opens one morning a week so we were lucky to be able to go inside. However Thomas was scared of the mannequins! Visit Trip Advisor here
Ecluse Ronde, Agde - starting with a walk along the canal from the town centre we went to see a special round lock. Nearly 350 years old, it connects up three parts of the canal. We saw a boat using it on its journey, explaining to the kids what locks are used for. Check it out here
Celles, Hérault - this village by Lac du Salagou was abandoned in 1967 due to potential flooding when the lake was supposed to be raised another 11 metres, but this never actually happened. A project is currently taking place to renovate the derelict and graffitied buildings so as to repopulate the village. There is only one family living there at the moment with their home, an exhibition and post office all housed within the Mairie (town hall) building. It was interesting chatting to the urban planner working with them. Discover more here
For myself, visiting Palace Idéal du Facteur Cheval was a truly special day as it was so incredible what Cheval had achieved on his own especially all the carved stone details. We were able to visit a number of churches, abbeys and cathedrals on our travels too.
Over the summer, it was lovely to see the children developing in confidence and increasing in independence as they explored the various campsites. We also went swimming everyday and - whenever possible - not just in pools but in lakes, rivers and the sea. It is strange to be back home spending much more time indoors but we are already looking forward to next year’s trip!
Palace Idéal du Facteur Cheval, Hauterives