There was a concert in the
evening in the town centre but we couldn't work out what genre of music
to expect, and restaurants were setting up tables in the street. After
a peaceful
night we set off north to the larger town of Chagny where there was a
large Sunday market and cars parked everywhere. Luckily we
found
a manned AGIP service station as we needed to top up our Gaslow bottle,
then continued past the Chateau de Rochepot with its tiled conical
turrets, to Nolay where there were large signs for an
exposition of
sculptures so we parked up and wandered around the town to look at the
many mostly metal works of art some more impressive than others. The
town centre was busy with groups renovating the old buildings
with traditional paints using linseed oil, flour and
natural pigments which were being mixed with enthusiasm under the large market hall.
Nolay market hall
Nolay paint mixing
Nolay timbered building
After that diversion we set off on D roads to
Bligny-sur-Ouche
then alongside a canal and on to Commarin with a massive chateau
in the centre where we followed signs to the Lac de Panthier. There is
a large campsite on one side of the lake but we drove around to the
opposite side where we found a shady parking spot for lunch and a lazy
afternoon. Continuing north to Sombernon we joined the main
road
to Vitteaux then took minor roads through pretty villages to
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain,
a
popular touristy Plus Beau village set on a
hill with old ramparts and an abbey. After
wandering around
the
narrow streets in the early evening we decided to stay overnight in the
car park although it's not an official aire. We left early the next
morning to continue our journey towards home and kept on main roads
through Châtillon-s-Seine and Bar-s-Seine where there is still the
derelict timber frame of a large building at the crossroads that we
remembered passing years ago and on to Troyes. As we approached through
the suburbs there were many signs to factory shops but we continued to
the centre where we managed to
park at a meter directly opposite the tourist information office for
only €2 for two hours and free at lunchtime. The town centre streets
are lined with half-timbered buildings and worth a walk around
especially the cathedral with its magnificent high stained glass
windows set in delicate stonework which we thought were comparable to
those at Chartres. Unfortunately as it was a Monday the Museum of
Modern Art was closed. There is a magnificently ornate
entrance
gate to the university and a carousel in the main square and we
also came across an old millinery shop that
we had seen many years ago and were sure the window display hadn't
changed at all. We
rather liked Troyes. As with so many larger French
towns you have to negotiate the densely populated suburbs and confusing
road signs to find the gems in the "Veille Ville".