Backblip: Eglise St Pierre

We popped out in the new van for three nights at Melle, in Deux-Sevres. It was a good stay and Melle has much to offer. 

There are three Romanesque churches, of which this was the first one that we came across when out walking on our first afternoon.

Melle also sports a network of marked walking routes and an Arboretum or two. A circular loop around the town offers good walking surfaces and many, many trees - 1,800 varieties, I think is the current figure. There are 300 types of roses and three National Collections are held. 

On this day we walked the yellow loop, which takes the walker through some of the Arboretum paths, passes a Forest Arboretum (which we visited) and into the town, passing St Pierre and a rather wonderful Neo-classical protestant Temple.

All of this is directly accessible from the motorhome aire that we stayed on.

Adjacent to the aire is the most wonderful old Lavoir, the like of which I have not previously seen. I took photos, none of which did it justice but one is offered as an extra for today. Note the fireplace! The Lavoir is fed from a natural fountain, the water flowing via the paved floor of the oval pool and then out into a nearby stream. There are stone benches set into the wall along one side. I can only begin to imagine what a convivial time was had at the communal laundry.

Melle also offers two Michelin recommended eateries. We made full use.