Today I ventured out to one of the largest towns I’ve visited so far. Vitré is a lovely town about 50 minutes from St. Denis de Gastines that was recommended that I see. Vitré is located in eastern Brittany and has beautiful architecture, narrow cobblestone streets and a Chateau with museum that you can visit.

I got there at lunch time and was determined to get fed, so I wandered up the hill into the old city and found a french bistro where I elected to sit outside and watch the activities of the town. I had a glass of dry white wine, and steak frites with a beautiful salad. The steak is very thin and tender here. I felt great about the steak and salad but left all but a few frites on my plate. I also declined dessert. The wine felt like a commitment for a lunch time meal.

I wandered farther up winding streets with beautiful older homes and shops all nestled together. The houses all start straight and then lean forward over the street in their upper floors so you feel like you are walking in a tunnel.

I decided I would pay admission and visit the chateaux as it was beautiful and I couldn’t resist walking over the drawbridge in the sunshine. This chateau is set up with cordoned-off rooms depicting life in the middle ages. Bedrooms, chapels and lounges were decorated displaying furniture that may have been used in the past. It was lovely and really worth visiting. It was easy to imagine Princess Buttercup being held here.

There were several boutiques that I popped in that held high-end, French fashion for children and adults. I went into a home store and window shopped at stores that were closed. I considered having a cappuccino at the brasserie across from the train station but was still so full from lunch that I elected not to.

*Addendum:

Lily arrived on Saturday night, so I took her back to see Vitré today. We dined on crepes and did visit the cafe to sample some delicious confections and sip cappuccinos. Lily was charmed by the atmosphere and architecture. She isn’t used to all stores being closed midday and many on Mondays as that is not the practice in Exeter. We had a lot of fun walking around and taking pictures.