We hardly took any photos on this trip as it was pretty much a flat day across farmland from one side of the Rhone valley to the other. Despite the lack of photogenic views it was quite a pleasant trip although one quiet road we planned turned out to be very busy and we found out why soon after. There was an antique market in one of the villages and there must have been 5000 to 10000 people there. It encompassed the whole town and roads were closed at all its entry points. In the end we dismounted and made our way through the crowds to the other side. Had we not been on our bikes I am sure we would have bought something. It looked just he sort of place that you could imagine finding an old impressionist painting. Most of the stalls looked like they had been brought from homes rather than a professional dealers.
The crops in the fields are changing now. The walnuts have been replaced by market gardens and vineyards are sprouting up. When we reached Tournon the hillsides were covered with vines as this is the hermitage region. Our hotel was probably as old as the vines and had a musty smell as we entered. It was one of the Logis chain and they pride themselves on authentic family run hotels. It turned out ok and we had a lovely breakfast there the following morning.
The town's main claim to fame is that they have the first suspension bridge on the Rhone designed by the architect and inventor Marc Seguin.
It's now a pedestrian bridge over to Tain where most of the hermitage grapes grow.
The main part of the town has a large shady park where so e serious boules. Arches are played.
Night view of the ramparts from our window
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