Seeds of an idea....

[Hedgetrimmer]

Well, not even done my first Euro tour yet, not til July in fact. But already another idea has 

I'm currently reading a book about the Plantagenet kings of England (history gets more and more fascinating as I get older  ), and it occurred to me I'd like to do a tour of castles in France. Now I've seen and photographed many in the UK, they're always a strong draw for me; I find them absolutely spell-binding, and very photogenic being often set in picturesque or even stunning scenery.

And it occurred to me that it might be possible to combine it with some of the best roads that France has to offer too. I'm thinking mostly Normandy, Brittany and what used to be Aquitaine, (all areas that were once ruled by men who also held the position of kings of England, though some had to swear fealty to the French kings for those continental possessions), mostly northern France.

So what do you think of this idea? Hare-brained? Good? Have I lost my last marble finally? Or has anyone done something similar?

It won't be this year, maybe next if I can work out a feasible plan. And to put it (kind of) to the test, I'm also thinking of seeing how many Welsh castles I can visit in, say, one weekend - sounds like a fun challenge to me!

What, the strait-jacket again?! No, it's just an idea, I don't like the padded rooooooooooooooom..........................................................................

[ChristoT]

Brittany is awesome! I can really recommend Dinan and St Malo (and the Madone des Motards event if you're in the area in August!) - and countless other places too!

Let me know if you plan to go to Brittany, I'll give you a list of places to go (and some great roads for you to enjoy!) 

[Andy FZS]

I watched a program with Henry Cole best bike rides or something,  he rode a route through Germany calledvthe castle route.  I enjoyed it so I would expect france to have a few chateau / castles worth a look.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Brittany is awesome! I can really recommend Dinan and St Malo (and the Madone des Motards event if you're in the area in August!) - and countless other places too!

Let me know if you plan to go to Brittany, I'll give you a list of places to go (and some great roads for you to enjoy!) 

As I said Christo, just an idea at the moment. First I'd need to read up extensively on the regions, and work out exactly which castles I'd want to visit (something to keep me occupied next winter). Then, if it gets that far, I might well come to you for some route suggestions 

[ChristoT]

Brittany is awesome! I can really recommend Dinan and St Malo (and the Madone des Motards event if you're in the area in August!) - and countless other places too!

Let me know if you plan to go to Brittany, I'll give you a list of places to go (and some great roads for you to enjoy!) 

As I said Christo, just an idea at the moment. First I'd need to read up extensively on the regions, and work out exactly which castles I'd want to visit (something to keep me occupied next winter). Then, if it gets that far, I might well come to you for some route suggestions 

If it's next year, it'll be when I've left Uni, and I might have to join you! 

Just a few persuaders... 

Look at images of:
Léhon (Just beautiful! Nice abbey there)
Dinan (some good English/French history there!)
St Malo (Birthplace of Jacques Cartier, who discovered Canada)
The Mont St Michel (Great, but SUPER busy in Summer - better for winter to see that)
Fougeres (Nice castle)
Combourg (Another nice castle, and home of the French author Chateaubriand)
Cancale (SUPERB oysters and seafood - and a cracking road along the cliffs to St Malo!)

All of the above are within an hour's ride of my house!

Further south, and supposedly superb (but not been myself yet!)
The Golfe du Morbihan
Carnac (Like Stonehenge, but bigger and better!)
Nantes

[johnnyg]

Depending on how much time you have and how far you want to go you might consider following the Route Richard Couer de Lion through the Limousin region, there are some amazing chateaux and the medieval village of Segur le Chateau is a must, you could also take in Rouen where Richard's heart was buried in the cathedral. No matter where you go France won't disappoint

[bri h]

Sounds like a plan nick. I dont know much about them but the old pilgrims routes might be worth a look as castles and cathedrals go hand in hand.

[Phil]

I love a good castle myself. A lot of the time when I've been to bike races abroad I've past them and not had time to stop and have a look around.
Coming back from Magny Cours last year I stopped off at Chambord chateau near Blois. Very impressive. I didnt have time for a look around inside, I think it was €4 just for the car park.
The fortress at Briançon looked worth a visit from the old town.

[BBROWN1664]

Big Mac has a castle in France.

[Lez72]

I think it's a cracking idea. You've definitely not lost your marbles. In fairness I would love to do something like this but my bike would get dirty and my OCD probably couldn't handle it. I know a trip like this will definitely be something I will regret not doing as I get even older. If it's a destination I can't get to and back in a day I usually don't bother. It even plays on my mind sometimes as I'm riding along and I get the urge to get home and clean the bike. It's a real pisser but it's something I can't seem to shake.

I know there's a lot of people who have the mindset that bikes are for riding and not cleaning. I wish it was a mindset I could adopt as there are loads of places I would love to visit on a bike 

[adeejaysdelight]

Nick,


The Rhein valley in Germany has a castle every 40 feet or so. Spend a day or two riding down the river and you'll have seen enough of them to last a lifetime. And the Nurburgring is at the bottom, so its a double treat 

[Hedgetrimmer]

I think it's a cracking idea. You've definitely not lost your marbles. In fairness I would love to do something like this but my bike would get dirty and my OCD probably couldn't handle it. I know a trip like this will definitely be something I will regret not doing as I get even older. If it's a destination I can't get to and back in a day I usually don't bother. It even plays on my mind sometimes as I'm riding along and I get the urge to get home and clean the bike. It's a real pisser but it's something I can't seem to shake.

I know there's a lot of people who have the mindset that bikes are for riding and not cleaning. I wish it was a mindset I could adopt as there are loads of places I would love to visit on a bike 

I know what you mean Lez, but mine is already showing some signs of use, and I think it's when I get to that point that I resign myself to just keeping it reasonably clean but otherwise, sod it, I bought it to ride    When I lived near London, I used to do day visits to places like Bodiam, Hever, Herstmonceaux (hit that one accidentally on their medieval festival day - a brilliant day out  ), Walmer etc. Once did 3 in a day, so you can still do a lot. Also might fit Warwick and Kenilworth in to one day as they're not far from me now.

Nick,


The Rhein valley in Germany has a castle every 40 feet or so. Spend a day or two riding down the river and you'll have seen enough of them to last a lifetime. And the Nurburgring is at the bottom, so its a double treat 

Could be a plan for the route back Adee 

So, to something a little nearer - the Welsh castle challenge! Had a little browse on a couple of sites today and feck me! I knew there were a lot of castles in Wales, but I wasn't ready for just how many    So, I'm gonna narrow it down to either complete or substantial remains. Out with Roman forts, anything with just a couple of walls or just a grassy mound remaining. Needs a bit of research to plan a good route to take in as many as possible. It will be a case of turn up, take a piccy, on to the next, take a piccy and on again. Not sure whether to do it on just a normal weekend, or go for a bank holiday to extend the challenge a bit, but will preferably have predictions of half decent weather (so bank holidays are probably out then  ). Anyone else up for this?

[bird]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yrdwc
 
hope the link works!

[Hedgetrimmer]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yrdwc
 
hope the link works!

Yes, I saw about that but don't get to watch tv much. Didn't know it was on iplayer though, so thanks for the link bird. And welcome to the forum 

[ChristoT]

Another interesting building in Warwick - the Lord Leycester Hospital:

If you like buildings like these, you'll love the towns I've suggested!!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Will definitely have a chat with you if this trip comes to fruition Christo - it'd be churlish of me not to use a little local knowledge.
Got another little challenge for myself, just an excuse for a good Sunday ride really - see how many churches I can get the bike photied with in a day - in my view, there aren't many good things that religion does for the world these days, but photogenic architecture is one thing it has given us.
I noticed a lot of spires sticking up here and there on my route today, and it seems like a good excuse to do some exploring off the main roads