Atlantic coast continued

On Thursday (June 2nd) we tavelled further up the Atlantic coast and the roads were extremely busy. We remembered that it was Ascension Thursday, a public holiday in France, and obviously everyone was having a day out. I decided that I wanted to visit Brouage, not having been there for some time.

It's a fascinating little fortified town, and it used to be next to the sea. Now it is surrounded by a strange flat landscape consisting of salt marshes. A lot of the land around here used to be under the sea at one time.

The last time we were here the place was practically deserted with very quiet streets...

But it has obviously been discovered since then, and also the holday meant that there were lots of visitors. We stumbled across a summer fair. As well as the usual stalls there was a display of 'vintage ' American cars. We both fancied this one

This wasn't bad either..

We drove on, past Rochefort, and found a good aire at Chatellaillon Plage. Just a big car park really, but a well marked out area for vans, and five minutes walk from the sea front. We had a meal and then strolled down to the promenade. At 9.30 the temperature was very pleasant, and we watched a dramatic sunset.