Bike Trip - Day 4 to Les Sables-d'Olonne

It rained a bit in the night, but it was already drying by morning, although it was grey and windy. As can be seen from the photo, we had a great French breakfast laid out for us – juice, cheese, meats, homemade breads.  It was difficult to think about getting on the bike again when we had all this great food in front of us. On top of that, Madam wrapped up some of the left-over cheese and meat for us to take along.  This was really a great stop-over place!

Breakfast at the B'n'B

David Enjoying Breakfast

Gérard, David, Tom, and our Genial Hostess

We headed down through the town to the seashore and picked up the marked trail.  It was a short-mileage day, so we stopped a lot to look at the scenery and take pictures. Mostly we were on a dedicated path by the shore or through the woods.  My tire was still holding but bumpy on smooth pavement.

Coastline on the Way to Les Sables

Lighthouse on Rock in Distance

Tom and Roger on Trail

Tide's Out - as It Always Seemed to Be

Wildflowers Near the Shore

We spent the night in a hotel in Les-Sables d’Olonne called Hotel Angleterre, or Hotel England.  Shows the influence of English tourism on the area.

As the town is fairly substantial, I decided to see if I could get my tire fixed properly.  I found a bike shop with a repair facility [fairly common in French towns of any size] and talked to the folks there.  It was late afternoon and they said if I could get the bike in very soon, they could get it fixed that day.  So I hurried back to the hotel and quickly rode the bike to the shop.  It was about 4PM and they said they could get it done by 5:30PM.  Promptly at 5:30PM I presented myself at the shop, and, sure enough, it was done.  All for 20 euros!  I gave the man a 5-euro tip and said he had saved my life, as I now had a bike that I could confidently ride, without ‘bumps’.

Substantial Ship Entering Harbor - Les Sables

Le Chateau de la Chaume dit la Tour D'Arundel

The tower above near the harbor entrance, was built at the end of the 15th century, and spared by Cardinal Richlieu when he was having fortifications torn down that could be used for revolts against the King.  It was dismantled in 1689 on the orders of Louvois who also had the town walls and chateau destroyed.  At the end of the 18th century the tower was only lighthouse in the Vendee.  From 1855-57 the tower was restored.

Tom has developed the practice of checking on local restaurants online before we made a decision as to where to eat dinner.  The Moulin à Poivre [Pepper Mill] had a good rating and we were not disappointed.  Another nice, beautifully presented meal at a great price - just look at the pictures below!

Local Dish Similar to Boeuf Bouguignon - Delicious!

Beautifully Presented and Tasty

Roger's Plat, or Main Dish

Another Work of Art in a Small French Town

As a side note, the town sustained a tragedy a few days after we left.  A strong storm hit the region and a fisherman decided to take his boat out anyway.  He got into trouble and the local boat-rescue folks, who seem to be similar to volunteer firefighters in the US, went out to try to rescue him.  Their boat overturned, three men died, plus the fisherman disappeared, his body not found until 10 days or so later. 

The community was in mourning, the would-be rescuers were hailed as national heroes, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, appeared in town for the memorial ceremonies, and France paid homage to the men's dedication.

42km for the day.