We are now on our third night in France and 3 very different days so far.
On Wednesday night, after a very smooth trip across the channel we went on as planned to the Auchan supermarket in Boulogne, parked in their car park and went into the French version of fast food, where we had a bacon omlette and chips and a glass of wine for just 12 euros – not fine dining, but just right for a quick and easy meal at the end of our travelling. In the morning we topped up with diesel for 1.20 Euro (£1) a litre before setting off. All good!!
Off to Versailles via one of the 'Plus Belles Villages de Frances'.
Even the hedges on the approach roads are 'plus belle'!
We arrived in Versailles about 6.00 pm when the traffic was still busy and went to the place where we had some idea that we could park. It turned out that only small motorhomes would be able to get in there, so after a bit of searching, and having had a good tour of Versailles (town) at night we found we could stop right outside the 'back gates' of the Chateau for free until 9.30 in the morning. Having solved that one, the next morning we then were stumped when we went to the car park at the front of the Chateau. There was a height barrier in the car park, and a coach park - nothing for motorhomes - most unFrench, from all our past experience. After driving around for a while we gave up and headed south to La-Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin which is near Orleans and on the river Loire.
We had a good walk along the river into town for some supplies and are now benefitting from the electric hook-up and free wifi – all for 5 euro/£4 a night. There are a couple of other motorhomes here, the 2nd arriving about 20.30 – they obviously knew where they were heading for!
This is also the site for the local petanque pitches, the playing of which continued under floodlights until about 19.30 – they do take it seriously here!