Saturday 1st August: Ripère to Saumur

Away from Ripère around 0930 on pleasant sunny morning, and the day France goes on holiday.

Our self contained bedroom beside the garage at Ripère.

Basically today's route followed as near as reasonably possible the course of the River Thouet for 90km north from St Loup to where it joins the Loire at Saumur.  The ride was partly along willow banked river side and partly steeply up and down small hills to cut of the meanders. 

At last I managed to organise to navigate to a suitable place for lunch - The Trait D'Union in Thouars. Fantastic three course for €18.50

Rabbit terrine

Papillotes - Parcels of chicken and vegetables -   - fantastic flavours

Panna cotta and nectarines

After a 2 hour lunch we were grateful that the next 10km was along the river bank.

Arrived at Loire in Saumur at 1745.

Our €85 Logis Hotel (the Critsal) is on the waterfront, and we have a river view from the hotel.

It also has a well respected restaurant. From the things going on on the car park it looks like we will get a band tonight.

Dinner was excellent foie gras, crispy pigs trotter, cheese, strawberry surprise. But we were both very full at the end

The light between us is the moon - actually a blue moon!

The three stages from La Rochelle to Saumur

Distance today 90km

Average speed 17.08 kph

Ascended 506m

GPX of Actual Route