We exchanged our greetings from "Hola" to "Bonjour" as we entered France. On our rest day we toured the small town of St. John Pied-de-Port. From the Middle Ages it was a popular trading center located on a a heavily used route in the Pyrenees. Tradesmen, craftsmen peddlers, and pilgrims came to the market located n the middle of the small square.
We toured the town walking up and down the narrow and steeply pitched and narrow streets. A castle is located at the top of a steeply pitched hill to defend France from invaders crossing this important passageway through the Pyrenees. Even though this town is in France the residents still consider themselves Basque.
The castle/fortress provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. A great way to keep an eye on sneaky invaders. The entrance even had a real moat! And here we are standing in it.
Spices were considered valuable in the early days and many travelers carried them instead of silver or gold to use as currency because they were so much lighter to carry. Here I am buying a few spices and some salt in the impressive spice shop in town. A local helped me translate.
It was a great day to wander and relax in town. We enjoyed lunch at a small restaurant featuring crepes. Mary Margaret and I shared a curried chicken one that was delicious.
We saw plenty of pilgrims and even these two guys who rode up the cobbles to the top just for fun - at least a 20% grade!
Most of you know I am pretty conservative in my eating habits, but when in France...eat like the French. We are staying in a small village and the meals have been provided by our little hotel - only the finest local fare, and I must say it was delicious. Squid in black ink and lamb, but not sure what part of the lamb. Hey, ya gotta go for it and live a little.
We have three more days of riding until the end of our tour and today we cycle to San Sebastian and back into Spain. Lucky us, we get to start the day with a few steeply pitched climbs! Oh well it will be a great way to warm up!
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1 comment:
Great pictures or should I say views. I think I will pass on the squid in black ink. Enjoy the rest of the tour. Agnes and I arrived in Trilogy last night.
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