France - Nantes and La Rochelle

Chateau in Nantes

 We came across am outdoor "farm" fair in Nantes.  It had cows, goats, sheep,ducks, geese and little piglets!  It was set up as an educational fair with info about agriculture etc.  It was fascinating and informative and provided us with some tasty snacks with samples of foie gras, cheese and wings. Excellent!

Another big medieval castle with an impressive moat. 

Les Machines de L'ile Nantes is a kind of an amusement park with many strange and fascinating mechanical creations.  This is a massive Elephant that sprays water out of his trunk and who you can take for a ride around the park.  A truly strange and unique sight! 

Passage Pomeraye is kind of an early 1900's indoor shopping mall.  I liked the worn wooden stairs and art nouveau detailing. 

 Pedestrian plaza life - the main square of Nantes.  I love the ever present car-free zones found in the towns of Europe.

Cathedral in Nantes.  The sky really was THIS blue.  An absolutely gorgeous day.

Tomb of one of France's Kings.  Sorry, can't recall who, but the carving and elaborate imagery was ornate and beautiful.

La Rochelle poppies 

These little goats really do butt heads and do play-practice fighting.  Super cute. They were in the park in La Rochelle.

Albino peacock?  We're not sure, but there was a female too, so maybe they are another breed.

Market in La Rochelle. Thank god for the market.  All the other stores were closed, it being Sunday afternoon.  We got a nice lunch of cheese pastry and ham an muchroom crepe to go.

Waterfront at La Rochelle.

A lovely harbour full of sailboats and a castle and the coast lined with cafes.