We left the busy Aire de Camping Car at La Rochelle and took a risk on parking up in Nantes. As we headed for a small Aire in the city, it was touch and go on whether we would bag one of only 15 pitches!
The van decided that it needed Ad Blue half way there. So another exciting adventure as we came off the motorway to fill up with the required additive. After figuring out how to use an out of service pump (took us a few drives round the motorway service station) we finally got what we needed and got on our way.
The Aire showed zero availability and when we arrived there were 2 vans waiting to enter! Fearing a washout and looking at alternatives when a German called the company because there were free pitches. After a short wait, we got in! Sharon’s plan had come to fruition, we just needed to get into the heart of the city!
There was a bus available from outside the Aire so on we hopped on. Had to carry Billy! He wasn’t impressed but was so well behaved and particularly as it was the hottest bus ride imaginable!
There is a green line painted on the ground that leads you around the heart of the city. It passes all the cultural areas of interest, the main monuments, the works of art and some of the unique things to see. We vaguely followed the line and took in the major sites.
Our journey through the city included a stop for a cappuccino, that arrived disguised as a hot chocolate! There was also some strange artwork hidden in the main eating/shopping area.
Nantes sits on the Loire River in the Upper Brittany region of western France, and has a long history as a port and industrial center. It’s home to the restored, medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne, where the Dukes of Brittany once lived. The castle is now a local history museum with multimedia exhibits, as well as a walkway atop its fortified ramparts.
Not the best city we’ve visited but it did have a little charm, once you found the heart of the place.
The Brindley Boxer 