Richelieu

A very, very strange and interesting place. I haven’t been anywhere like it in France. Apparently the ‘ideal town’ designed on a grid system by The man himself in the 1400s. Parts of the place feel like they are dying.

The park is an interesting walk and the walk around the moat area is worth doing. Certainly some van life people are making the most of the area (less than a handful).

Had a meal at the hotel and wished I’d booked a local restaurant which would have been better (only a choice of two alternatives). First night in ages where the windows and shutters could be open all night and we didn’t wake up bitten to death. Maybe had only one or two bites that day- amazing!

As we left the town we listened to some info on the Cardinal and the consensus was he was “ruthless”. The chateau was pretty much dismantled in the mid 1800s so materials used in its construction could be used again in other projects. We saw very little evidence of its remains just a few preserved outbuildings like a training stables that seems to be used for small events and performances now.

I found out my parents stayed at the exact same hotel about 15 years ago! It’s a good place to break the journey if travelling from the south of France to the UK. Had a large fan to take to the room after reading about people complaining about the lack of air conditioning. A big relief.

On a scale of 1-10 as to whether I’d ever return to this town I’d say I’m around a 6. Still a bit unexplored but so many other places in the world to see. Conclusion, “Different and unusual”.