Inter-railing around France August 1987

Saturday 1st August - to Paris
Set off 7.00am and arrived London King's Cross 9.42am. Had a walk around Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square, then caught the tube to Victoria station and onto the 12pm train to Dover Priory arriving 13.25pm. Caught the bus to Dover Hoverport. Checked in then had to wait until 14.45pm to board. Sea was moderate, so the flight took longer than usual at 52mph. Got on a train at Boulogne and arrive Paris Gare du Nord 7.15pm. Tried to book return hovercraft crossing but the offie was closed. Caught RER 'B' to Cite Universitaire hostel and got rooms OK (60Fr). Set off back in Paris to 'Luxembourg' and walked around until we found a suitable restaurant. Had spaghetti Bolognaise and cider for 60Fr. Went back to the hostel and got to bed at 12.15am.

Sunday 2nd August, Paris - Saumur

Woke up 7.15am. After getting ready we set off to Gare du Nord to try and book the return hovecraft crossing again, but there was a queue and we were short of time, so we had to rush to Gare d'Austerlitz. Missed the intended train, but got another straight away. We thought we were going to Tours but ended up in Bourges. Stopped here for lunch in a small bar (coffee and a large ham sandwich 16Fr). Caught a train through Tours to Saumur and arrived 14.50pm. Found the hostel OK on an island in the Loire river. Left the rucksacks at the hostel then went swimming in the open air pool which was refreshing but cool. Got checked in at the hostel (32Fr and 11Fr breakfast). Went into the town for omlette and chips (18Fr) and a bottle of Saumur rouge (20Fr).

Saumur

Monday 3rd August, Saumur
After breakfast at 8.30am we walked into town to hire bikes and found a place at the station. After 45mins eventually got the bikes for 35Fr for the day. Set off to Gennes about 15Km, by the Loire. Arrived Gennes about noon, but most places were closed. Had some bread and cake, then had a drink in a bar. Went to the archeology museum and had a guided tour of a Roman amphitheatre which consisted of a few walls in a circular shape.

http://www.1000gites.com/galerie/gennes%20%20%20les%20sites%20archeologiques-4024.htm

An hour later we set off for Doue la Fontaine at full speed. On the way we stopped at Deneze sous Doue to see La Fosse, which was an underground cave with hundreds of small statues carved into the walls.

https://www.ot-saumur.fr/LA-CAVE-AUX-SCULPTURES_a811.html

At Doue la Fontaine, there was a good castle, but we could not get in. Saw a small Roman arena. Then on the flat we made good time to Montreuil-Bellay. There was another good castle but also closed.

Chateau Feodal at Montreuil-Bellay

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Montreuil-Bellay.jpg

map showing places we went to on the cycle ride

 Headed back to Saumur via acountry road. Arrived back at 8.15pm and after a lot of explaining at the station, got back to the hostel and had a shower. Went back into Saumur but the restaurant we had been to the previous night was closed. Found a salad bar and had salad (15Fr) and wine (16.50Fr). Back to the hostel at 11pm.

Tuesday 4th August, Saumur - Tours - Bordeaux

 

Woke up at 7am. Went down for breakfast but it was not ready. Managed to pay and get out for about 7.40am to try and catch the 8.05am train. Got the train to Tours where we had some breakfast - Danish pastry & coffee (12Fr). Walked around Tours quickly before going back to the station to catch the 9.36am train.

Town Hall, Tours

At the other station in Tours, we had to quickly change to another train to Bordeaux. Weather was sunnier as we arrived at 1.10pm. Checked in at the hostel and left the packs. Went back to the station to book the hovercraft return crossing. Had lunch near the station - cheeseburger & coffee. Then caught a bus to the centre of the city and walked around the shopping precinct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux_Cathedral

Got back to the hostel at 5.40pm. Had a meal at the cafeteria - meat stew and cabbage 22Fr.

Wednesday 5th August, Bordeaux - Sarlat
Caugh the train to Arachon on the coast. Quite sunny on the front. Went round the aquarium, then onto the beach and had a swim in the sea. Europe's biggest sand dune was near here (117m) but was too far to go and see it.

Arachon post card

Got lunch in a supermarket before heading back to Bordeaux. V hot. Relaxed in a park for a while before catching the 16.15pm train to Sarlat. This was a picturesque journey throught the Dordogne valley, passing castles as we went.

Arrived at 7.00pm and after 30mins walk through the town, we got to the youth hostel and checked in OK. It was quite a small half timbered building with only 40 beds. After a rest we went into the town which had some old buildings dating from 1680-1780.

https://www.dordognemaison.com/en/holiday-homes/gite-au-coeur-de-sarlat

Saw som Peruvian buskers and other street entertainers. Had a ham and cheese galatte 20Fr.

Thursday 6th August, Sarlat
Woke up at 8.30am and went to the supermarket opposite the hostel and got Rice Krispies, coffee and bread as well as some bread and cheese for lunch. Hired bikes from the youth hostel and set off for Domme through hilly countryside, but not too steep. Stopped for a walk up the main street and market to a panoramic view of the Dordogne river with valley and hills beyond. Bought a peach.

Market at Domme

View of Dordogne from Domme

Domme postcard

Then went to Castelnuad La Chapelle and up a very steep hill to the castle.
 

Stopped on the way up for lunch.

Looked round the castle which was very old and had been added to through the centuries. Good views from the top.

View from Castelnaud along the Dordogne to Beynac

looking back down the road from Castelnaud

At the bottom of the hill it started to rain so we stopped at a cafe for a coffe and a crepe to shelter. Then we headed on to Beynac, which we had seen from Castelnaud.

We walked up to te castle at the top but did not go in.

Beynac

 

View from Beynac Castle looking back to Castelnaud

Beynac post card

Went back to Sarlat on an undulating country road and had a good run downhill into the town. Had a shower then went back into town to see if any supermarkets were open, but couldn't find any. Later we went back to the main square and had a v good salad 20Fr. Paid the hostel 81Fr.

Friday 7th August, Sarlat - Brive La Gaillade

Got up at 6.30am, had some Rice Krispies and coffee then packed and set off to catch the 7.40am train to Le Buisson. There we changed and headed for Perigueux where we had 2hrs before the connection to Brive. Had a coffee in the station before walking into the town centre. There was a large cathederal.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Perigueux

Bought some bread, cheese, ham and peaches to have for lunch. Then caught the train to Brive and arrived at 12.37pm. We found the youth hostel OK after walking through the town centre . It was open so we checked in and had our lunch there. Headed back to the station and caught a train to a small village called Quatre-Routes. Sunny day. Stopped in a cafe for a drink and played bar football. Then caught the train back up the line to Turenne as we thought there was a castle to visit. Walked along the road for a few Km's but a local told us the castle was not open to visitors. Had a chat with him for a while then walked back and caught the train back to Brive. Rested and had a shower before heading out for a meal - savoury crepe and an apricot crepe 26Fr. Hostel was 42Fr.

https://www.lamontagne.fr/brive-la-gaillarde-19100/economie/a-brive-une-grande-enseigne-pourrait-arriver-dans-le-centre-ville_13069475/

Saturday 8th August Brive - Ussel

 

Got up 7.50am and had breakfast - bread and jam with coffee. Left the hostel and walked to the station to catch the 10.03am train to Ussel. Good scenary as we climbed into the hills. Arrived 11.52am. Walked through the town to the hostel 28Fr v basic. We were the only ones there. Played table tennis for a while then went back into the town to buy lunch from a supermarket.

Street market - Ussel

It was hot and sunny as we sat by a stream and watch Cirrus clouds go by. Walked around the town; the main street was cordened off for the market. Bought a football and went to the local sports field for a while. Still sunny. Had sprint races on the grass track. My friends went swimming whilst I recovered. Went back into town and phoned home then went back to the hostel. Played table tennis and did some clothes washing.

Went out later for a crepe 6Fr and walked around the market again. The town had livened up and there was a Brazillian band playing Salsa music. Had a drink at a bar. On the way back, went to another bar which contained some mad frrenchmen singing French songs. They wanted us to sing an English song and gave us drinks (which we had to pay for later). Managed to get out after 'Here we go'. Back to the hostel, we were the only ones there.

Sunday 9th August, Ussel - La Bourboule - Le Mont Dore

 
Woke up 7.30am to catch the 8.24am train to La Bourboule. Bought a criossant and a pain au chocolat on the way to the station. La Bouboule was quite a large town but we could not find the hostel and found out it had closed the year before, so we caught the train to Le Mont Dore 8Km away.

The hostel was about two miles out of town up a long steep hill. Got to the hostel eventually and booked in for two nights. After resting we went down to the village to have a look around an on the way back we saw a steel toboggan run and decided to have a go. This picture gives you an idea.

https://www.sancy.com/equipement-loisirs/luge-dete/

It was quite fast and good fun. Back at the hostel we found out that all meals were included. For lunch we had Danish Blue cheese quiche, then beef stew with potatoes, then natural yoghurt. Dinner at 7.30pm was lettuce with ham, then chilli con carne, then strawberries. Watched French news and weather forcast on TV (26C and sunny). Had a drink at the bar and played chess. Early night 10.15am.

Monday 10th August, Le Mont Dore
Woke up at 7.30am. Breakfast at 8.30am was bread with jam and coffee. Packed a water bottle and set off to walk up the mountain.

 

Bought a mars bar from the shop. Not too difficult to start but had to walk striaght up the hillside to join a better path. Further up we got a good view back down the valley.

Puy de Sancy post card

Reached the cable car station where we found a cafe and had a large cup of coffee and a ham sandwich 20Fr. After a rest we climbed to the top of the Puy De Sancy 1888m - the highest peak in the Auverge region. Walked along the tops of other peaks for a while but then the weather turned cooleer and we made our way back down the steep path and back to the hostel. Had a shower then walked to a cafe and had a 'grand cafe' 8.90Fr. Played pool back at the hostel until dinner. Had lettuce with tomatoes, then chicken with potatoes and onion, then a piece of apricot tart and custard. Watched television and played draughts.

Tuesday August 11th, Le Mont Dore - Clairmont Ferrand

Got up 7.40am and had breakfast at 8.20am. Packed up and paid the warden 180Fr for the two days and meals. Walked back down the long hill to the village. When we got to the station our express was already at the platform so we were able to get straight on.

Arrived Clairmont-Ferrand 11.50am and got a map of the town from the tourist information office. Found the youth hostel straight away, but it was closed until 5pm. Walked into town and had lunch at a small cafe - pizza and a coffee 18Fr.

Went in the cathederal in the old town. It was black as it was made from Lava.

my postcard

On the inside there were many stained glass windows and a chiming clock. Afterwards we walked arounf the narrow streets then stopped at a restuarant for a large ice cream - Lime & Passion fruit sorbet with cream, chocolate and fruit (25Fr). Went back to the station to collect the rucksacks, then on to the hostel for 4.50pm. Checked in OK for one night (32Fr). It only had cold water. Got chased by a fierce dog. Played table tennis. Later bought a quiche from the hostel and a chocolate drink 20Fr. Watched a film at the hostel 32Fr [which one?].

Wednesday 12th August, Cliarmont-Ferrand - Millau
 

Got up at 8.00am, packed and walked across the road to the station. Had two croissants and coffee for breakfast 14Fr. Caught the 9.18am, v good scenery following the path of a river through valleys. Changed trains at Beziers and arrived at Millau 13.43pm. V hot.

Walked through the centre looking for the hostel. Bought a street map and found it OK. Checked in for one night 33Fr plus 10Fr for breakfast. Good rooms with hand basins and a balcony. Went down to the river near the hostel, through a campsite and had a swim.

https://europe.huttopia.com/en/site/millau/

Water not too cold. Bought an ice cream 7Fr for a double. Back at the hostel, played table tennis then walked back into town. Found a small restaurant off the main area and had quite a good salad 21Fr plus 1/2 bottle Cotes du Tarn red wine 12.5Fr (Millau lies on the river Tarn). Walked back to the hostel.

Thursday 13th August, Millau - Carcassonne

Woke up at 7.00am and went down for breakfast at 7.30am. Rolls & jam and coffee and hot chocolate. Packed up and hurried to the station to catch the 8.31am train to Beziers. Sunny day again. V scenic route through gorges and valleys following a river. At Beziers we had a walk around and had lunch in the station before catching the train to Carassonne.

my postcard

Walked through the new part of the town to the hostel in the medieval old town. The hostel did not open until six, so we had a look round the old streets and shops and walked around the old town walls.

Had a look around the church. Had an ice cream then waited outside the hostel for 1 3/4hrs, as we had read that the hostel was always over-booked. Got booked in for two nights 45Fr each includng breakfast. Had a shower then went down to the new part of town (as it was cheaper) for tea. Spaghetti Bolognaise 25Fr. Walked back to the old town and saw some of the Son et Lumiere that was being staged there. Still V hot.

Friday 14th August, Carcassonne - Sete - Beziers

Woke up at 7.30am went for breakfast, rolls, jam & coffee. Decided to go to Sete on the coast for the day. Missed the first train but caught another and got there about 1pm. Had lunch on the train - peach yoghurt, bread & fruit juice. Sete is a fishing and oil storage town and has a canal through the middle. Walked around and bought a kiwi fruit ice cream.

V hot but overcast. Looked round the harbour. Caught the 4pm train back to Beziers. As one of the party was not feeling well, we got off at Beziers. I went to get some food for tea from a supermarket. We decided to stay in Beziers for the night. Found a hotel next to the station. One of the party went back to Carcassonne to fetch the rucksacks and returned at 10.50pm. We all slept in the one room. V hot.

Saturday 15th August, Beziers - Paris

Woke up at 7.30am, had a shower. Had a breakfast of last night's food. Caught the 9.00am train to Montpellier. Tried to arrange reservations on a TGV to Paris but it was fully booked. Managed to get a train at 11.30am from Montpellier that would get us to a TGV at Lyon for 3pm and into Paris at 5.05pm. Bought a sandwich and a large apple tart 11Fr. Arrived at Lyon after a good trip from Montpellier. It was a hot day again. Bought a can of Perrier water on the train 8Fr. The TGV was very good.

In Paris we caught the RER 'A' to Chatellet Les Halles, then the RER 'B' to Cite Universitaire. At the youth hostel we discovered it was full and rather go to one 90mins south of Paris (and only 30 beds), we decided to carry on to Boulogne. We caught a train from Gare du Nord after buying sandwiches and a mars bar 20Fr and 4.6Fr. It was two hours to Boulogne and we arrived around 9.30pm. We phoned up the youth hostel there but it was full so we walked down to the ferry terminal as we knew there was one at 10.30pm. Got tickets OK 117Fr. Set off about 10.50pm, had a meal on board and a cheap beer, then looked around the duty free shop. Arrived in Dover about 12.45am.

Sunday 16th August, Dover - home
Slept for 1 1/2hrs in the waiting room of the ferry terminal, then woke up and got a cup of coffee. Read for a while then played chess. At about 5.30am one of our party walked to Dover train station to time of the first train to London. It was 7.11am so we walked to the station and caught that train. Changed at Faversham and arrived at Victoria at 9.05am. Caught the underground to King's Cross for a train at 10.40am. Grabbed an egg and bacon sandwich and got a coffee on the train. Had another sandwich from the buffet car later on and arrived back at 14.05pm.