Day 190 found us at Le Mans, France, known best for the “24 Hours of Le Mans,” an endurance-focused sports car race. The facility also features a museum. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is possibly the most famous auto race in the world, with the first competition taking place in 1923. The circuit is 13 km long, with part of it extending onto public roads surrounding the facility. We even managed to drive through this section!
During our hour-long visit to the museum, a century of sports car development unfolded before my eyes. As per tradition, small models of all the cars that participated in the race each year are added to the museum’s collection. In total, there are more than 4,000 car models on display!
On Day 191, we journeyed to the north of France and explored the enchanting Mont Saint Michel, a small rocky island-fortress. Setting out from our hotel at 7:30 AM turned out to be a fantastic decision. We were among the first visitors to arrive and had nearly two hours to wander around the entire castle almost by ourselves! This location has been protected as a French monument historique since 1862 and has held UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 1979.These days were amazing. We decided to exit the autobahn and take a drive along the scenic “country” roads through Provence, France. Our journey began in the small town of L’Ossirone en Provence. By the way, the majority of the French population resides in such towns, with 15-30 thousand inhabitants and a centuries-old history.
We enjoyed the sights and scents of lavender fields and made a stop at Chateau FORTIA, where Monsieur Pierre Pastre kindly guided us through the winery and shared insights about his wine.
On day 187 we stayed at a family hotel in the Cevennes. A beautiful and calm place. The “Parc national des Cévennes” was established in the territory of the Cevennes Mountains in 1970. It’s one of ten national parks in France and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the morning, we took a walk through the reserve and reached Chateau de Portes, a stunning castle and historical monument of the country (photo 3).
On day 188, we visited Laguiole, a town famous for its “Forge de Laguiole” knives. We explored the factory where they are made and found it interesting to see old machines and traditional hand-made products. This enterprise is over two hundred years old and is known throughout the world!