I digress.
We felt like a mooch yesterday, so drove off to Angouleme and had a lovely afternoon walking round the town centre.
Angouleme is called the cartoon capital of France and there are lots of little pictures
Love the space-age angel
This is in the underground car-park - it's for charging up your electric car - never seen that before.
These 'sheep' were outside a shop - great way of stopping cars parking outside and a great eye-catcher - when did you last see sheep in a city centre?
The Palais de Justice, or Law Courts,built in 1830s - I thought it was a serpent wrapping itself round the clock, but it was a ribbon...how very French...
This is a 'message tree' where you can scribble notes and clip them to the 'leaves' which are actually bronzed artists' paletts.
A Renaissance building from 1550 which is now a gallery.
The term 'Hotel Renaissance' doesn't mean it is a hotel in the modern sense, just a large building.
One of the most famous cartoons is of course Tintin - and here is a bust of Hergés, who although Belgian and lived most of his life in Belgium, the French have acknowledged his work with this rather large bust in the shopping area.
An advert above a shop - in mosiac tiles.
Nicely elegant buildings, as the sun began to set.
Some roof tops - Angouleme is set high up on ramparts, with fabulous views round the Charente countryside, but for the ancient French, it was for defence, not the skyline.
Only about ten minutes separate these photos...and then the sun sank down and we went off to eat - at the Chinese buffet, where the only concession to French cuisine is the availability of frogs legs and sliced baguette.
What lovely photos, I am so glad you had a good day out. We spent the day in Narbonne; although we have stayed here a couple of times in the past we have never explored the town. It was a glorious day, there was a watercolour exhibition, a Mustang ralley and a market all happening today, so as well as the lovely historic buildings, there was plenty for us to see.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think Narbonne is a beautiful town. We were there a couple of years ago while on holiday at Agde - there was a little brocante market, just lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. How strange having sheep roaming in the city...nice though.
ReplyDeleteWe keep a few real sheep, and the Angouleme sheep were quite realistic, except for the colour. There are also 'sheep' on a grassy bank in a town called Mezieres - very disconcerting when you drive past them!
DeleteI don't know Angouleme at all, but it looks well worth a visit next time we are driving through France, so thank you for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely worth a visit but aim for the old part of the town, high up on the ramparts. Fabulous views!
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DeleteThat looks such a lovely place to visit. There is nothing I enjoy more than a good mooch! Jane xx
ReplyDeleteYes, it was lovely - we've promised ourselves to return soon, if the weather is kind.
DeleteI know you meant Hergé, but my fingers slip sometimes too. Ha ha. I love Angouleme.
ReplyDeleteAh! You spotted my deliberate mistake! No, actually I think it was a throwback to my childhood, watching Tintin - you'll remember that deep voice booming out 'Hergés Adventures Of TINTIN!' but of course he meant Hergé apostrophe s!
ReplyDeleteI came by to return the blog visit and found a real treat. What a charming city!
ReplyDeleteWe were only recently introduced to Tintin thanks to Steven Spielberg.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and tour.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jody