Where is Richard the Lionheart really buried? And other things🍷

The Abbey of Fontevraut is just across the square (actually its more like a triangle) from our hotel so seemed like a good place to start today. The Abbey is very old having been founded in 1101 and was disbanded in 1804 by Napoleon from which date it was a prison until 1963. The church itself had a peaceful and holy feel, even though it was a big empty space. While this Abbey was very different from the Mont St Michel it was well worth a visit for that very reason. Interesting that both had been used as prisons over the years. Having seen Richard the Lionheart's tomb in Rouen we were surprised to also find it here. From later research we found his body was interred at Fontevraud but his heart is in Rouen Cathedral because of his love of Normandy - gory. There has been an enormous amount of restoration work done to remove renovations done to it during its time as a prison.

This afternoon we visited Chateau de Breve. This chateau is not well known but has underground caves that were a source of defense to the castle. Quite a few more steps were involved in this visit and care needed to be taken not to bump heads. We also got to see part of the chateau, including the grand gallery and servant's rooms. The rooms where the archbishop lived were quite superior, as you would expect. One of the caves was St Vincent's chapel - patron saint of wine making. It was interesting to see a wine press from the 19th century in the cave nearby. When excavating the chateau tunnels some troglodyte residences were discovered. Pretty sure I would not have enjoyed living there, although at 12 degrees year round it may have been warmer in winter than other accommodations

We wended our way through countryside and villages to find somewhere to taste wine. Incidentally, this winery, Chateau du Targe,was partly in troglodyte caves and founded in 1655.Our first wine tasting in France was successful with me enjoying the bubbles and both of us liking the Cab Franc. I was pleased Stephen was driving so I didn't have to be cautious as the tastings were many and generously poured.

We may, or may not, have taken away a bottle or two. Finished the day in a sweet little restaurant where the maitre d' reminded us of Hettie from NCIS being of short stature and similar hair cut and body type. Nice food but what was noteworthy was the heavy bound menu of wines. It was the thickness and weight of an encyclopaedia and a little intimidating with many very expensive bottles in it. Ordering a modestly priced wine I was terrified that we would be mistakenly given one of these expensive bottles. Fortunately my fear was not realised. A lovely short stroll down a lovely alleyway to our hotel ended a beautiful evening.