Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port (2)

The town gained importance as a resting place for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella.

Here’s the universal symbol for the pilgrimage…

…and here a couple of ‘hostels’ welcoming pilgrims.

A short climb brings us to the old citadel…

…which is now a boarding school.

Return to town and a short walk along the river…

…thankfully much in the shade…

…and including this beautiful old bridge.

Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port (1)

Our hosts took us to the beautiful small town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. 

Although late in the morning the market was still in action…

…but I guess far busier earlier in the day.

The old town is mainly one cobbled street, with colourful houses and shops on either side

At the centre the Notre-Dame gateway…

…just over the River Nive.

Through the archway and the street continues upwards…

…to the Saint Jacques gateway.

A look back with the Pyrenees as a backdrop

The Basque Country: Anglet

We have many happy memories of visiting our good friends Nicole & Daniel in Anglet, not far from Biarritz.

It was very hot and we were more than happy to lunch outside their lovely house

View down the garden…

…and indoors where Nicole’s ‘green fingers’ are in evidence.

In the afternoon we walked down to the coast

I loved this surfboard crossing…

…and The Love Tower, an art installation on the cliff tops made in wood and metal by Japanese artist, Tadashi Kawabata.

At the top of the spiral staircase there’s a great view of the Atlantic…

…and if you look left, le Phare de Biarritz at la Pointe Saint-Martin.

Les Sables d’Olonne & Longeville

We were only back in La Tranche for a short while before setting off again. Whilst I was having my 6-monthly ophthalmologist appointment (glaucoma being kept well at bay) Tine wandered around Les Sables.

The impressive market building was already closed for the day, but reflected in the glass front…

…the equally impressive Église Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Port

Another day Tine cycled to l’Embarcadère de la Maison du Marais, with wild Iris in full bloom

…and holiday-makers enjoying paddling one of the boats for hire.

I hoped they ducked down for the bridges which are very low!

Thanks to Madame for all these photos.

Last day

And there's still time for a stroll into Sauzon

At low tide the inlet is nearly dry...

...but today we could enjoy watching the bobbing boats.

Further around the headland, what do we discover?

There's a new catamaran ferry service...

...direct to Sauzon. That definitely sounds like a possibility for future breaks with the cousins.

All things come to an end, and we say our au revoirs to Jean-Pierre & Catherine

Back on the regular ferry at Le Palais...

...with more views of the beautiful port.

Back to Quiberon and the shuttle to the car followed by the journey back to La Tranche.

Not for long though!

JP&C: tour leaders!

Next morning JP accompanied us on a stroll around the headland at Sauzon.

The earth looks pretty dry, months before the big drought

It's a brighter day and this time we visit Port Puce

Back at the house look what Tine's getting up to...

...happy as Larry, as we say in English!

Thankfully she avoided this little garden feature once she released it from its weeds

In the afternoon Catherine took me for a tour around the island

We had a short walk along the cliff-tops at Port Coton near Bangor

We've visited here on very rough weather days and the waves can be ultra-impressive!