Les AndelysChateau Gaillard

We took a day and went to Les Andelys. It consists of two towns... Grand Andely and le Petit Andely. We really wanted to see Chateau Gaillard. Looking at the map, it seemed straight forward, and easy to get to. Yeah, not so much. We found the street, but it had a "no entrance" sign posted on it. So, we followed the signs through town and out and around and finally got there. It's on a VERY narrow one-way road. Apparently tour busses travel this road!.

The ridge about 1/2 way up the photo is part of the walking path up to the castle. It was very steep.

Duane and I in the same window... It was an almost sheer drop to the valley below. One of the reasons for the bar across the back of the opening. The another reason is, possibly, to keep the wall together!

Another shot of part of the castle.

This is a shot of Duane at the gate to the main castle. It would usually be open this time of year, but there was a notice saying that it was opening late due to ..... (I forget their excuse. Construction, maybe)

A look back at the part of the castle where we took our pictures sitting in the window.

The castle's well.

Duane in front of the well.

Me, by the well.

Checking out what's down there!

We were up there for a good hour or so. It was cold and misting and breezy. If not for the company and the view, it would've been miserable.

It was much easier walking down to the car than it was going up. By the time we got done, it was time to do some exploring in town...

We went into Saint Sauver's and looked around. I will post pics from the church separately so that I don't overload this one. LOL

After that, we tried to get some lunch. We went to a place that seemed to be really popular and sat down. They brought some water and bread. While we were waiting for a menu, we saw the size of the plates they were bringing the people around us. It was a set menu (with choices) that included an appetizer buffet, entree plate (with meat and pasta and veggie), fruit and cheese and a dessert. It was a CRAZY amount of food. I'm sure before we started our diets at the beginning of the year, we could've eaten most of what was served. But now? Yeah, not so much. So, we begged off and just had a coffee. Then we drove clear across town (less than 2 minutes' drive) to a patisserie/boulangerie. A pastry shop/bakery. We got something called a fougasse. We got one with brocolli and artichokes. It also had an alfredo-like sauce and cheese. So, think thick, rustic-type pizza/focaccia bread without the tomato sauce. It was soooo good!

Until next time...