Caravan from France to Austrian Alps - Part 5.

Wednesday - We start at Essalois Castle, well preserved and partially repaired. Ideal location above the Grangent Dam with great views to all sides including the dike and another castle on the island. A big surprise after opening in 9.00 is the free entrance to the castle. After the tour, we have coffee in the adjoining pub on the terrace and go down to the water across the dam to the rest area, from which we have another castle (Chateau de Grangent) on the palm of your hand.

This is unfortunately on the island and in private hands, so we do not have a chance to tour. I am fascinated that the owners have the only way to get home - on a boat. Another destination is something between the castle and the fortified town - Chateau de Saint-Victor sur Loire. And again free entry to the interior and another castle, where there is no leg - just beautiful. And another castle - Chateau de Cornillon - that is not accessible to the public - we only got to the castle below the main gate. It rises above the river and above the viaduct. You can park only down and the road is quite steep, we've got a lot of fun :-). And another town from which history is breathtaking - Aurec sur Loire, there are two castles, one of which is the city information center and the other is the library. Here we had lunch on the terrace above the river and the local pensioners were surprised that we did not drink anything to eat. Another ruin is worth the effort of 2 miles up the hill - Chateau de Rochebaron - beautiful and accessible, this time for a fee that I chanted at 4 Euro.

After the tour, we had coffee and cold drinks in the castle café and waited for 20 minutes before the May rain was over. The last monument for today is the ruins of Arias Castle (2 Castle Wall and 1 Church), again a beautiful view of the river and a nice, almost empty campsite with a pool below us beyond the river where we stay 2 nights. Chateau de Chabanolles - converted into a small chateau Chateau de Mercuret - private residence and inaccessible These two are within sight of each other and are only divided by a valley. Chateau de Ventressac - a private residence in overhaul on the outskirts of Chamaliéres sur Loire. Coming back to the campsite in Aurec sur Loire and staring - for a fully equipped camp (much better than Andermatt) we pay only 6,20 Euro.