After our friends left, we entered our time-alone phase – my favorite time.
We hadn’t yet headed in one direction from our apartment. So, what better time? We found new parks, antique stores, shops, churches, and great views along the Rhone River. I even tried some recently learned skills with night photography on some of the government buildings and parks along the Rhone.
We also started to plan a few day-trips south and west (having already been east to Annecy and Lake Geneva; and north to Oingt).
Heading south along the Rhone River, we stopped for lunch in Vienne, quickly toured the Vienne Cathedral built between 1052 and 1533 and currently under renovation, and then continued south along the Rhone. Great sights, friendly people, and easy living.
A few days later, we intended to head west towards Roanne, but motoring along, I saw this castle and the steering wheel suddenly turned left. After visiting the castle, we headed down the road and saw an Historic Center sign on a narrow road heading up the mountains de la Madeleine.
After a winding drive up a one-lane (labeled two-way) road, we arrived at another medieval town in pristine condition and vacant (because all inhabitants were at work). What a treat – especially the small church at the top of the hill.
