Bright Square Challenge 30

 I am ending this challenge with a bright red boat in the canal in Vannes, Brittany during La semaine du Golfe in 2019. Looking forward to more travel in the future.

Palace for a Princess or Haunted Castle #SquarePerspectives 20

And to see the latest Gallery of #SquarePerspectives do go to Becky B's page

  

#SquarePerspectives Day 4 Perspective in #Architecture

Medieval Architecture  more here

Challenge from Becky B

La Rochelle a beautiful port in France #MondayBlogs #photographs #travel

La Rochelle, in Charente-Maritime, was an important seaport between the 14th and 17th centuries, and is now a popular tourist resort.  We have enjoyed two holidays in the town, enjoying eating at one of the many seafood restaurants by the port, visiting the Île de Ré and taking boat trips along the coast.

Now it is a significant sailing spot.

The lantern Tower built during the 15th century is one of the three towers of the old port.

Medieval half-timbered houses and cool shady streets make this a pleasant environment during hot, sunny days.

The Chain Tower, joined by a chain to St Nicholas Tower at night, prevented entry to the port without paying dues and taxes.

 St Nicholas Tower, built during the 14th century, was used to imprison the Huguenots during the revocation of Nantes.

During the early 17th century, La Rochelle was a Huguenot stronghold but when the town was surrounded by the King's troops in 1627-28, British forces tried to relieve the Protestants.  They were unsuccessful and the Huguenots had to surrender to the Catholic monarchy.

You may remember Fort Boyard from the challenging TV programme.

Vannes, a walled medieval city in Brittany #WordlessWednesday

Carnac:Neolithic menhirs and dolmens #WordlessWednesday

The 10th celebration of La Semaine du Golfe de Morbihan #France #Travel

Ten years ago I travelled for the first time to a part of the world I had always wanted to see, the Gulf of Morbihan in southern Brittany.  The complex maritime geography combined with a fascinating history of battles between England and France make it a favourite subject for artists and storytellers as well as sailors.

Every two years since 1999 there has been a celebration of classic boats during the last week of May.  This year I was lucky enough to spend a week at La Semaine du Golfe for the second time.

There are parades and celebrations in several towns and villages in the gulf but the focus is at the medieval city of Vannes where a mile and a half long canal runs from the sea to the port outside the city gate.  In this picturesque setting 21st century electric buses pass by timber framed houses and boats from many countries and eras.

There were 8 fleets (Yoles de mer for sailing or rowing - small pleasure - classic yachting - yachting 60-70 years - work boats - small classics regatta - small classics leisure - power boating) crisscrossing the gulf from port to port, as well as a 40 sailboats from Port Blanc and Larmor-Baden.

This year there were gondolas from Venice and within the week Norwegians built a long boat.

There was plenty of food, stripy T Shirts to buy and bagpipers and bands to entertain you.

And finally the week drew to an end and the boats returned to their home ports.