Getaway around the way of St James

The weather forecast for the weekend was good. The three of us, including Christine, booked the very cosy gite with character La Petite Tour Carrée in Melle, which we thought was perfect with its heated swimming pool and jacuzzi. The Melle region is labelled a Pays d’Art et d’Histoire®, which suggested there was lots to discover. On the Friday morning, we started by visiting the town. It’s a peaceful place, historically and culturally rich. There is lots to see, with the oldest silver mines open to the public in Europe, the three magnificent  Romanesque churches, the ramparts, the Hôtel de Ménoc, the Baltard inspired covered market and the Chemin de la Découverte and its lush arboretum. We thought it was fabulous and would love to live there… We had lunch at the famous Les Glycines restaurant, just by the market, before a trip to Chef-Boutonne, Petite Cité de Caractère® and full of charm, where you can discover the fine washhouses and the château of Javarzay. Back in Melle, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at L’Argentière before going back to our gite.