Sunday October 9, Villefranche-de-Rouergue

Late afternoon shadows.

 After yesterday’s grey day woke this morning to clear blue skies and forecast for temperatures in the low 20’s where we are heading, couldn’t be more perfect. Getting used to this packing up, and we were soon on the road again, destination a 2 ½ hour drive away.

Stopped to refuel, the first since we have had the car, certainly not nearly as thirsty as Ruakiwi!!! It was such a beautiful clear day and being a Sunday morning there were very few cars on the road, and of course no trucks. The hills were glowing with their autumn colours. And everywhere we passed small villages with their stone houses and churches nestled into the hills. It was such a pretty drive.

We needed to get a few supplies, and being a Sunday not many supermarkets are open but found a Supermarche on the outskirts of Rodez which was open until 12.30.

The drive from Rodez to Villefranche somehow felt like being in the English countryside with very pretty rolling countryside. This was definitely a farming area with many beef animals and feedlots, and the roads were just so quiet, couldn’t wish for a more enjoyable drive.

We had instructions from our host how to get into the apartment and she said there was free parking about one hundred metres away. Stopped nearby to do a recce first and found we could park outside the apartment for a short time to unpack and found the unpaid parking lot not far away. All sorted, parked outside the building and used the codes to get in. Wow, it is a really old building, we are on the first floor but what a fabulous place. It has all been modernised inside, new kitchen that includes a dishwasher, and washing machine and it is so roomy, feels really luxurious. Carried our suitcases up the stairs before parking the car and returning to unpack and have an extremely late graze for lunch. There is a huge balcony on one side that looks up to the cathedral and French doors opening out to the street below. We are certainly experiencing a different side of French life than we saw when we were in the camper.

After a relax I wandered out with my camera to have a look around this historic old town. Have never seen such narrow streets, with shops on street level and apartments above. The cathedral is in the centre of town with a huge square and cloisters surrounding it.

Decided to have a quiet night in, and will have a good look around in the morning.  

Driving through beautiful countryside.

 

Our apartment on the first floor.

View from our window.

Reflections

L'Aveyron River by the apartment.

The Cathedral Square

Late afternoon view of the cathedral
from our back deck.

This Boulangerie looks like it has been here
for many years.