ESCAPE
that sold everything. Gien
is known for fine china and
porcelain, and I found the
cheeses, bread and clothing
boutiques to be quite fine as
well.
While in Briare, the other
five opted to go to an ancient castle, Sully-sur-Loire,
a medieval fortress. One
of its claims to fame is that
Jeanne d’Arc came to visit
on many occasions. I decided to walk through the
streets of the small town – I
have seen quite a number
of castles over my years of
travel writing. In this lovely,
tiny village, I met a few locals as I sipped coffee at an
mix of intelligent and amus- which contained surprises
ing conversations.
each day. Chef Ollie had
The mode was slow and already been to the town
easy. Take a walk, or use the where we had stopped for
available bikes to go over- the night to get the freshest
land and meet at the next breads, fruit, fish and meat.
stop. No need to rush off
My favourite stop had
into a crowded lobby to line been on my priority list for
up for tours as they must in the longest time. Chateau
the large cruisers.
Fontainebleau is one of the
Our point of departure most beautiful palaces I’ve
was just over an hour out- seen and it’s been kept in
side of Paris. The first day an impeccable state. Luckwe learned to appreciate ily, since it’s not on most
what would bevisitors’ itinerarcome an excities, it was easy
"I can’t recall
ing ritual – oba trip that had to move through
serving Captain
the wondrous
something for halls and rooms
Laurent navigate
everyone from and get a close
the locks of the
the finest wine, look at the furniriver. None of