Wednesday for windows...inside out in Le Blanc.

Le Blanc viewed from Château Naillac in the high town.

A visit to Le Blanc...

It had been a wee while since we last visited Le Blanc, so on Saturday we decided to put that right with a relaxed stroll around the town. Nestled on the banks of the river Creuse, Le Blanc never fails to charm with its quiet streets, riverside views, and timeless atmosphere. Whether it’s the winding lanes of the upper town, or the peaceful hum of the Saturday market, there’s always something grounding about being back here.

On this occasion we decided to head over the bridge to the high town.

We climbed the many steps up from Grande rue and took in the view en route.

On arrival at the top of the town, we made our way to the Château Naillac, perched proudly above the Creuse River with its commanding views.

Today, the château houses the Écomusée de la Brenne, a space that tells the story of the region’s natural and human history.

It’s currently hosting an exhibition running until 9th November, this special exhibition explores the Hundred Years’ War and its profound impact on the Brenne and surrounding regions. Through a series of informative photo boards (with English translations), it traces shifting borders and the lasting scars the conflict left on daily life. By grounding a complex historical chapter in a deeply local context, the exhibition invites visitors to see familiar landscapes through a whole new light. 

We then headed back down an over the bridge for a stroll around the towns weekly market before heading home.

Walking the talk...the viaduct at Le Blanc

On our last visit to Le Blanc back in July we said we should make a point of  returning and doing the walk over the viaduct. Yesterday we were joined by Mike and Liz (and Eileen) to do just that!

Before heading off, we had lunch on the terrace of L'Aristide restaurant in the town - a good way to set yourself up.

As the walk follows the route of the now disused railway line we started out from the old railway station. This was a station that once employed 120 people and had 40 train arrivals daily,yet today rests as a memory of former glories. 

The view as you approach the viaduct.

We didn't need to be told!

Because the viaduct sits a bit away from the town itself, the views aren't (imho) as good as I expected - but impressive none the less!

Reaching the other side you arrive in a natural tree tunnel before arriving at the option of taking the road back into town or continuing along the rail track -

Arriving in the lower town we became acutely aware that we had a fair walk uphill to get back to the cars at the railway station so Mike and I did the chivalrous thing and left the ladies to take a refreshment in the town centre as we continued our uphill march with me addinga bit of distance (just what we needed!) due to my decision to take a shortcut that wasn't

Allowing ourselves to be tourists...at Le Blanc

As we have no visiting tourists of our own this year we are allowing ourselves some revisits to places we perhaps have not done justice to in the past. Le Blanc over in Indre (36) is one of those places as although we have visited on a few occasions in the past we have not really followed the tourist trail. So yesterday we did just that on what was a beautiful summer;s afternoon. 

We did the walk around both the high and low parts of the town on both sides of the river - a very good afternoon! Really not sure why I do not have a page on my website for the town, must fix this as it is well worth a visit...more to follow.

Last look...

My last look back on our great day out with Simon & Susan.  Liked how the lights of car above were used as a showroom.

This one had even more display potential. My suggestion to the French owner that he could keep some gold fish in it was met by only a slight touch of amusement!

This owner's mother-in-law was apparently kept in his boot!

I liked this car on a number of levels.

Classic lawlessness...

One of the fun things about being involved the Le Blanc bouchon from a drivers prospective is the ability to disobey the rules and cause disruption. With well organised marshalling by the motor cyclists there was no need to stop at junctions and parking was 'as you want'. Like on the middle of a mini roundabout...

or across a junction.

That wasn't  'Célestine' badly parked btw - Simon did that perfectly

Hip hip hooray...being hippies for the day

Yesterday we were invited to join Simon & Susan in 'Célestine', their fab classic Citreon for the bi-annual heritage traffic jam (bouchon) at le Blanc. The event emulates the traffic disruption that used to occur in major towns before the introduction of auto-routes. As you can see we chose to dress up from the day (helped by contributions for Cally & Jane)

We met up with the other vintage car owners (and hippies) at the 'salle polyvalente' car park in the town... 

before heading off in two groups through the regional park of La Brenne.

We stopped at the lake at La Gabriere for a bit of sustenance.

Where everyone was on their best behaviour.

Then it was back to the 'salle polyvalente' in Le Blanc for a spot of lunch with our hosts and over 500 others.

Simon had parked 'Célestine' in good company so we took the opportunity to have a look at the other cars on display.

Then it was on to the main event...blocking the traffic in the town! This is acheived by continually circuiting the town until the traffic snarls up, helped by the occasional overheated engine

It was good to see so many locals had turned out to witness the mayhem. 

Great fun, with Simon revelling in the free spirit of the day, as can be seen in this pic of Susan's