In need of a Super Sleauth!

We were up at Montlouis-sur-Loire yesterday and as we needed fuel I decided we should try and find Super U in the town - something that had eluded us in the past (was sure they were lying to us). Now it should be straight forward, as you approach the town from the direction of Tours you arrive at traffic lights at the junction by Lidl, turn right and just a few yards up the road you come across the above sign - ah,only 2 mins, that should be easy!

As I said I had tried before and failed, I know, switch on Sat-Nav but hey, my masculine intuition kicks in and I need help from no one.

The route had occasional help with little 'super' signs but if any of you have driven in the town even they seemed a little distracting. We enrolled the help of a local who waved us off with a knowing smile  and a 'tout droit' in what was the correct direction but the twists and turns of the town meant that was impossible. Eventually,seemed like an eternity, I had to give in to Sat-Nav as Pauline thought I would explode with rage or worse! BTW it is a lie,it's 5 mins ! Is this the worst place to drive through in Touraine? 

First visit,yesterday, to 'filling station' since lockdown...

Another sparkling day out...stocking up for the festive period.

Good day out yesterday with Jane and Peter stocking up on sparkly wine for Xmas...took in Montlouis-sur-Loire, Vouvray and also somewhere new for us for wine - Blere (more on this later) which by coincidence I'd featured yesterday on my other blog

A 'hole' new world of Loire Valley wines.

Way back in 2012 (scary) this large whole in the ground appeared near one of favourite wine suppliers   'Domaine de de la Croix Melier' in Montlouis, we had always meant to see what grew out of it and in spite of being around the corner from it many times since, failed to pop around for a look. 

Well this week we popped round and wow!,impressive or what?

It is a new (not so new) facility for Francois Chidaine and judging by the size of the building he is a very large producer. We didn't go in as it's a bit fortress like plus we have our supplier around the corner...well at least for now. 

Good blogpost on Francois Chidaine here

Good day Monday...

Yesterday with friends Mike  &  Liz we headed back over to our favourite vintner Pascal Berthelot at Husseau just along the river from Montlouis-sur-Loire to stock up on our favourite sparkly tipple. After taking an unnecessary apero (we are rather familiar with the taste) with madam we went in search of a restaurant for lunch. A Monday isn't the best day for this as we and some of our friends know but we took the chance. We first headed into Montlouis-sur-Loire where we actually found a couple of restaurants open but the first's menu had a main dish of '3 fish' - fish on a Monday? we did not think this was a great idea. We then asked a local lady for an alternative she directed us to one which had that typical French dish, lasagne on the menu. Then we decided to drive back to a restaurant we thought we had seen open in nearby Veretz.

As we arrived  I met a French couple I had saw turn away from the 'fish' restaurant we both then discovered that it was in fact closed! Monsieur suggested we try St.Avertin on the way into Tours.

 We drove past the hôtel restaurant 'Le Faisan' on the way in and decided to try it. As we entered the maze of dining rooms which were very busy we were sure we had made a good choice. There was an unbelievable choice of seven dishes for each course and at only € 13.50 it was great value. It was not the most salubrious of places but the good mix of worker / businessmen was testament to its popularity...or was it because it was a Monday?     

We ended the afternoon having a cuppa in the sunshine of our courtyard...October the 27th! Then it was a walk and another cuppa with French neighbours...good day!

Sparkling day out...Part III

After our hearty lunch at 'Le Bas Rocher' we headed up to our favourite vintner Pascal Berthelot at Husseau just along the river from Montlouis-sur-Loire

You can take your car right into their courtyard...

 ...where they have a very inviting  little 'tasting room'

On this visit Pascal took us up to see his vines...

 Then it was back to the serious business of tasting...

...and buying...well,that's the weekend sorted! Mainly made up of our favourite Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle

Sparkling day out...Part II

After our visit to the 'Cave des Producteurs' in Vouvray we headed over to Montlouis-sur-Loire to visit our favourite vintner...but we had planned our trip to fit in lunch first. Pauline and I had eaten at our chosen restaurant,'Le Bas Rocher' on Quai Albert Baillet, before but our friends hadn't. We had actually been checking out the 'Toque et Vins' gourmet restaurant next door which looked inviting but the menu on that particular day wasn't to our taste and to pay €21.00 for lunch it had to be.

We were heading back to the car when we noticed 'Le Bas Rocher' and although it is advertised as a 'creperie' it is more than that.

We had eaten inside on our first visit...

 and remembered the highlight was their 'cafe gourmand'  ('Relais de la Mothe' take note)

This time we sat on the terrace and our friends agreed (thankfully) that it was a good choice. Good food in a good setting with a very pleasant hostess. We had the straightforward 'formule midi' at €11.90 ( 3 choices for each course) but all had the cafe gourmand and coffee, plus wine of course and including the tip it was only €15.00 /head...great value.

Church on Sunday...Montlouis-sur-Loire

Today we are visiting the L'eglise Saint-Laurent in Montlouis-sur-Loire a church that as you are doing the wine trail along the caves on Quai de la Gare and Quai de la Loire in the direction of Amboise, you will see perched high up on your right-hand side

Once you have made your way up to the church you have a splendid view back down over the river Loire.

 The church,which sits on the early religious site (5th century) was built during the late 11th and early 12th century. The current condition is the result of 19th century renovation work

The rather splendid facade of the church surprisingly bears the French republican motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". Depending on what you read it was either done in !905 when the church separated from the state or earlier in 1881. 

As we walked in we were met by the sound of the organ - but it was not 'piped music' set to come on as you enter the church - no, there was the organist, in one of the side chapels, giving it his all !

The central nave and side chapels have well proportioned vaulted ceilings.

The church has its fair share of beautiful stained glass windows...

...with an interesting more recent design remembering the effect the second world war had on the town of Montlouis-sur-Loire.

As we walk around these churches we are always astonished by the skill and craftsmanship that went into their construction - could they be recreated today in such numbers - I don't think so.

Where's Joan? She's not to be found here in Saint-Laurent

The outside of the church as usual provides clues to its changes over the centuries.

Detail of the ornate facade.

The 20th century clock tower.

The oldest parts of the church can be viewed at the rear of the church.

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