B>EDEKER'S GUIDE BOOKS. GREAT BRITAIN, with 15 Maps, 30 Plans, and a Panorams Second Edition. 1890. ' 10 mark; LONDON AND ITS ENVIRONS, with 3 Maps and 15 Plam Eighth Edition. 1892. 6 mark BELGIUM AND HOLLAND, with 13 Maps and 20 Plam Tenth Edition. 1891. 6 marks THE RHINE from Rotterdam to Constance, with 3 Maps and 22 Plans. Eleventh Edition. J889. 6 mark: NORTHERN GERMANY, with 35 Maps and 54 Plant Tenth Edition. 1890. 8 mark SOUTHERN GERMANY and AUSTRIA, with 15 Maps an 30 Plans. Seventh Edifon. 1891. 3 mark; THE EASTERN ALPS, including the Bavarian High LANDS, Tyrol, Salzkammergut , etc. with 35 JUp: 12 Plans, and 1 Panoramas. Seventh Edition. 1891. 8 mark; GREECE, with 6 Maps, 14 Plans and a Panorama of Athens 1889. 10 marki NORTHERN ITALY, including Leghorn, Florence, Ra YENNA, with IG JIaps and 23 Plans. Ninth Edition. 1892. 8 mark CENTRAL ITALY and ROME, with lu Maps, 31 Plans, an a Panorama of Rome. Tenth Edition. 1890. 6 mark SOUTHERN ITALY, SICILY, and Excursions to th Lipari Islands, Tunis (Carthage), Sardinia, Malta, an Corfu, with 26 Maps and IG Plans. Tenth Ediiion. 1890. 6 mark NORWAY, SWEDEN, and DENMARK, with 26 Maps 15 Plans, and 2 Panoramas. Fifth Edition. 1892. 10 mark PARIS AND ITS ENVIRONS, with Routes from Londo TO Paris. With 11 Maps and 31 Plans. Tenth Edition. 1891. 6 mark NORTHERN FRANCE, with 9 Maps and 25 Plans. 18S< 7 mark SOUTHERN FRANCE, with 14 Maps and 19 Plans. 189] 9 mark SWITZERLAND, and the adjacent Parts of Itali Savoy, aso the Tyrol, with 39 Maps, tl Plans, and 12 Panorama Foiirteenth Edition. 1891. 8 mark LOWER EGYPT, with the Peninsula of Sinai, with 1 JIaps, 30 Plans, and 7 Views. Second Edition. 1885. 16 mark UPPER EGYPT, with Nubia as far as the Second Cata ract, and the Western Oases, witu u Maps and 2g Plan 1892. 10 mark PALESTINE and SYRIA, with 18 Maps, 43 Plans, a Pant rama of Jerusalem, and 10 Views. 1876. 20 mark CONVERSATION DICTIONARY in four languages: Eng lish, French, German, Italian. 3 mark THE TRAVELLER'S MANUAL OF CONVERSATION, i English, German, French, and Italian. 3 mark 7 u) .LfTi/l THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES SOUTHP]RN FRANCE ■^'OQOOOQO I oogo I oogo i QQoo j^coSo CO-^CT I OOCD^O I COc5«^Cc^3'« 'SP'^iSi S .5 •<-n:)-*>ncot--ooa>0'He^oo«aiit3«ot-ooo5©in5 Prmcr.liuilOu'- riukKl'trrt I l.iOO.UOO '—J I. . — -1 &> MNirmnrhrr n.lolr rl Clirr IlUirr mr M M»Ilr rt Uim>7 Indrr rl Ulrr . U Indrr K AUlrr M I'lo .V D4lBr . M.Cmo. SLIaidf \^f•1lllr lt.l)rux sf \Tf>t . S3 Virniw M Vradfr . SSflumiU lof M.(%mmitf . S7 Dorduirv jSiurrriv 2* ( ^nui . 7«.Lm YT.GlrmAr. c SOUTHERN FRANCE FROM THE LOIRE TO THE SPANISH AND ITALIAN FRONTIERS INCLUDIXtl CORSICA HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS KARL BAEDEKER WITH U MAPS AND 19 PLAXS LEIPSIC: KARL BAEDEKER, PUBLISHER LONDON: DULAU AND CO., 37 SOHO SQUARE, W. 1891 All rights reserved ' Go, little book , God send thee good passage, And specially let this be thy prayere Unto them all that thee will read or hear, Where thou art wrong, after their help to call, Thee to correct in any part or all.' rrHE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES SMCK ANNH DC 81 C PREFACE. Ihe chief object of the Handbook for Southern France, which now appears for the first time and corresponds with the third French editions of the Midi de la France and the Centre de la France, is to render the traveller as nearly as possible independent of the ser- vices of guides, commissionnaires, and inn-keepers, and to enable him to employ his time and his money to the best advantage. Like the Editors other Handbooks , it is based on personal acquaintance with the country described, a great part of which has beeri^ repeatedly explored with the view of assuring accuracy and freshness of information. For the improvement of this new work the Editor confidently looks forward to a continuance of those va- luable corrections and suggestions with which (travellers have been in the habit of favouring him, and for which he owes them a deep debt of gratitude. The contents of the Handbook are divided into Five Sections (I. South -M''estern France to the Pyrenees-, II. The Pyrenees; III. South-Eastern France as far as the Rhone, and Auvergne; IV. The French Alps; V. C^vennes, Valley of the Rhone, Provence, and Corsica) , each of which may be separately removed from the book by the traveller who desires to minimise the bulk of his luggage. To each section is prefixed a list of the routes it contains, so that each forms an approximately complete volume apart from the general table of contents. On the Maps and Plans the utmost care has been bestowed, and it is hoped that they will often be of material service to the traveller, enabling him at a glance to ascertain his bearings and select the best routes. Ti PREFACE. Heights and Distances are given in English measurement. It may , however , be convenient to remember that 1 kilometre is approximately equal to Vs Engl. M., or 8 kil. = 5 M. (nearly). See also p. xxiv. In the Handbook are enumerated both the first-class hotels and those of humbler pretensions. The latter may often be selected by the 'voyageur en gargon' with little sacrifice of real comfort, and considerable saving of expenditure. Those which the Editor, either from his own experience, or from an examination of the numerous hotel-bills sent him by travellers of different nationalities, believes to be most worthy of commendation, are denoted by asterisks. It should, however, be borne in mind that hotels are liable to constant changes , and that the treatment experienced by the traveller often depends on circumstances which can neither be foreseen nor con- trolled. Although prices generally have an upward tendency, the average charges stated in the Handbook will enable the traveller to form a fair estimate of his expenditure. To hotel-proprietors , tradesmen , and others the Editor begs to intimate that a character for fair dealing ajid courtesy towards tra- vellers forms the sole passport to his commendation , and that ad- vertisements ot every kind are strictly excluded from his Hand- books. Hotel-keepers are also warned against persons representing themselves as agents for Baedeker's Handbooks. CONTENTS. Introduction. tage 1. Language xii II. Money. Travelling Expenses xii III. Period and Plan of Tour xiii IV. Passports. Custom House. Octroi xv V. Railways. Diligences. Carriages xvi VI. Hotels, Restaurants, aiid Caf^s xviii VII. Public Buildings and Collections xx Vlll. Walking Tours. Guides. Horses xxi IX. tost and Telegraph Offices . xxiii X. Weights and Measures xxiv XI. Maps XXV Southern France. I. South-western France to the Pyrenees, Route 1. From Tours (Paris) to Bordeaux 2 I. From Tours to Poitiers 2 II. From Poitier to Angouleme 7 111. From Angouleme to Bordeaux 11 2. From Tours to Les Sables-d'Olonne 12 3. From Poitiers to La Rochelle (and Rochefort) .... 18 4. From Nantes to Bordeaux 23 a. Via Clisson and La Rochelle 23 b. Via Challans and La Rochelle 29 .0. From Orleans (Paris) to Bordeaux via Perigueux ... 30 I. From Orleans to Limoges . 30 II. From Limoges to Bordeaux via Perigueux 38 6. Bordeaux 41 7. From Bordeaux to Royaii 52 a. By the Medoc Railway 52 b. By the Gironde 54 8. From Bordeaux to Arcachon 55 9. From Bordeaux to Bayonne and Biarritz 58 vm CONTENTS. Route Pago 10. From Bordeaux to Cette (Montpellier) 63 I. Fom Bordeaux to Toulouse 63 II. From Toulouse to Cette 79 11. From Perigueux to Tarbes (Pyrenees) 87 I. From Pe'rigueux to Agen 87 II. From Agen to Tarbe.s 89 12. From Limoges (Paris) to Toulouse 91 13. From Capdenac to Rode?, and to B^ziers or Montpellier . 97 II. The Pyrenees. 14. From Bayonne to San Sebastian 101 15. From Bayonne to Toulouse 105 I. From Bavonne to Pau 105 II. From Pail to Toulouse - . .110 16. From Pau to Olorou.'Vall^e dAspe 115 17. Eaux-Bonnes, Eaux-Chaudes, and their Environs . . . 118 I. From Pau to Eaux-Bonnes and Eaux-Chaudes .... 118 II. Eaux-Bonnes 119 III. Eaux-Chaudes 122 18."_Cauterets and its Environs 125 I. From Lourdes to Cauterets 125 II. Cauterets [ 126 III. Excursions 130 19. Luz, St. Sauveur, and their Environs 135 'I. From Lourdes to Luz and St. Sauveur 135 II. Luz and St. Sauveur 135 III. Excursions 137 20. Bareges and its Environs 141 I. From Lourdes to Bareges 141 II. Bagneres 141 III. Excursions 143 21. Bagneres-de-Bigorre and its Environs 125 I. From Tarbes to Bagneres-de-Bigorre 145 II. Bagneres-de-Bigorre 146 III. Excursions 148 22. Bagneres-de-Luchon and its Environs 150 I. From Montrejeau (Tarbes) to Bagneres-de-Luchon . . . 150 II. Bagneres-de-Luchon 151 III. Excursions 154 23. From Boussens (Toulouse or Tarbes) to Aulus via St. Girons 162 24. From Toulouse to Foix, Tarascon, Ussat, and Ax . . . 164 25. From Carcassonne to Quillan. Upper Valley of the Aude. Valley of the Rebenty 170 26. The Eastern Pyrenees 172 I. From Karbonne to Perpignan and Port-Bou 172 II. From Perpignan to Prades and to Puyeerda 17(j III. From Perpignan to Amelie-les-Bains and to La Preste 179 CONTENTS. IX III. South-Eastern France as far as the Rhone, and Auvergne. Uoute I'a^e 27. From Dijon (Paris) to Lyons 182 28. From Macon (Paris) to Geneva 188 a. Via Bourg, Amberieu, and Culoz (Aix-les-Bains, Chambery, 188 b. Via Bourg and Nantua 190 29. From Nevers (Paris) to Lyons 192 a. Via Eoanne and Tarare 192 b. Via Roanne and St. Etienne. Ligne d'Annonay . . . 197 30. From Nevers (Paris) to Vichy and to Thiers (St. Etienne) . 199 31. From Nevers (Paris) to Clermont-Ferrand and Le Puy . . 204 32. From Orleans (Paris) to Clermont-Ferrand via Bourges . 20(j 33. Lyons 210 34. From Lyons to Bordeaux 224 a. Via Roanne, Montlucon, and Limoges 224 b. Via St. Etienne, Clermont-Ferrand, and Tville. Auvergne. 226 I. From Lyons to Clermont-Ferrand 226 II. From Clermont-Ferrand to Tulle. Northern Auvergne 239 III. From Tulle to Bordeau.x via Perigueux 247 35. From Lyons to Toulouse via Le Puy and Aurillac. Southern Auvergne . . .■ 247 IV. The French Alps, 36. From Lyons to Geneva 260 37. From Lyons to Aix-les-Bains 264 38. From Aix-les-Bains to Annecy and Geneva 266 39. From Bellegarde and Geneva to Chamonix 267 I. Via Annemasse and Cluses 267 II. Via Annemasse, Bouveret, Martigny, and the Col de Balme 271 40. Chamonix and its Environs 274 41. Mont Blanc 280 42. From Chamonix into the Valais 286 a. From Chamonix to Martigny via the Tete-Noire . . . 287 b. From Chamonix to Vernayaz via Finhaut and Salvan . 289 43. Annecy and its Environs 290 44. From Lyons to Chambery 295 a. Via St. Andre'-du-Gaz 295 b. Via Culoz and Aix-les-Bains 296 45. From Chambery to Albertville and Moutiers (Tarentaise) . 297 46. From Moutiers to Tignes via Bourg-St. Maurice . . . 300 47. From Moutiers to Pralognan 306 48. From Chambery to the Maurienne ....,.., 312 a. From Chambe'ry to Modane (Turin) 312 b. Upper Valley of the Arc and its Mountains .... 315 49. From Lyons to Grenoble (Marseilles) 318 50. From Grenoble to Chambery. Uriage, Allevard, and their Environs 329 a. From Grenoble to Chambe'ry 329 b. Uriage and its Environs 330 c. Allevard and its Environs 332 X CONTENTS. Route Page 51. From Grenoble to Briaiiyoii 334 a. By Road 334 h. By Railway 337 52. The Pelvoux Kaiige and its Environs 344 a. ExcTirsions from Le Bourg-d'Oisans, Oz, and Allemont . 345 b. Excursions from St. Christophe and La Berarde . . . 349 c. Excursions from Vallouise 359 d. Excursions from La Grave, Villard-d'Arene, and Le Lauteret 362 e. Excursions from Le Monetier 366 53. Vallee du Guil. Queyras. Monte Vise 367 a. From Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre to Abries 367 b. From Abries to the Monte Viso 369 54. From Grenoble to Digne. Basses Alpes 370 V. C6vennes, Valley of the Rhone, Provence, and Corsica. 55. From Clermont-Ferrand to Nimes viii the Cevcnnes . . 374 56. From Clermont-Ferrand to B^ziers, via St. Flonr and Millau 377 57. The Gausses and the Canon of the Tarn 381 I. From Marvejols to Mende and Florae 381 II. From Florae to Peyreleau via the Tarn Canon .... 383 III. From Peyreleau to Montpellier- le -Vieux and thence to Millau by the Valley of the Dourbie 387 58. From Lyons to Nimes 389 a. Via Tarascon, on tlie left bank of the Rhone .... 389 b. Via I^e Teil and Remo\ilins, on the the right bank of the Rhone 389 c. Via Le Teil and Alais. Vals 392 59. Nimes and its Etivirons 395 60. From Nimes to Montpellier and Cette 401 61. From Lyons to Marseilles by the Valley of the Rhone . . 407 62. From Avignon to Aix (Marseilles) 425 63. From Grenoble (Lyons) to Marseilles 426 64. Marseilles 430 65. From Marseilles to Ventimiglia (Italy) 438 I. From Marseilles to Toulon (Hyeres) 438 II. From Toulon to Ventimiglia 444 66. Cannes and its P^nvlrons 448 67. Nice and its Environs 450 68. Monaco and Mentone 457 I. Monaco 457 II. Mentone 458 69. Corsica 460 A.jaccio 462 From A.jaccio to Bonifacio 464 From Ajaccio to Bastia 466 From Bastia to Bonifacio 467 From Bastia to r.ngliano. Capo Corso, ,S. Fiorenzo and Calvi 468 Index 469 MAPS AND PLANS. Maps. 1. SoUTH-WusTEnN Franxe, 1st Sheet, trnm Tours to Burdeaux, liefore the title-page. 2. South -Western FR\^■CE, 2nd Sheet, from Uordeaux to Perpignan, p. 98. 3. The Vai.lkb d'Ossau and Vam,ee u'Azun, p. 120. 4. The ENVIRON.S of Cauterets, p. 126. 5. The Knvirons op St. Sauveuh, Hareijes, and Gavarnie, p. 136. 6. The Vallees d'Aure, de LuriioN, and d'Aran, p. 150. 7. Mont Hlanc, p. 274. S. The Takentai.se anl> Mauriennk, p. 300. 9. The V'ai-leys oe the Romanciie and the Veneon. Peta-oux Range, p. 344. 10. The Causses, p. 382. 11. The Knvirons oe Nice, p. 454. 12. Corsica, p. 460. 13. South-Kastern France, after the Index. 14. Railway Map ok France, at tlie end of the book. Flans of Towns. 10. Page . 4lO . 414 . 40 . 206 Ari-es AVKJNON Bordeaux HOURGES Cannes 448 Ci.ermont-Ferrand .... 231 Orenoble 320 LiMoiiE.s 35 Lyons 210 Marskii-les (town) .... 430 11. Mar.seii,i.es (south portion) 436 12. MONTPELLIEK 401 13. Nice 450 14. NiMEs 396 15. Pau 106 16. Perigueux 39 17. Poitiers 3 18. Toulouse 70 19. Vichy 198 Abbreviations. K. =z room; L. = light: B. = breakfast; d4j. = dejeuner; D. ^ dinner; S. = supper; A. = attendance; N. =^ north, northern, etc. : S. = south, etc. ; E. :=: east, etc. ; W. = west, etc. ; M. ==■ Eng- lish mile; ft. = Engl, foot: fr. = franc; c. = centime. The letter d with a date, after f lie name of a person, indicates the year of his death. The number of feet given after the name of a place shows its height, above the sea-level. The number of miles placed before the principal places on railway-routes and high-roads generally indicates their distance from the starting-point of the route. Asterisks are used as marks of commendation. INTRODUCTION. I. Language. A slight acquaintance with French is indispensable for those who desire to explore the more remote districts of Southern France, hut tourists who do not deviate from the beaten track will generally find English spoken at the principal hotels and the usual resorts of strangers. If, however, they are entirely ignorant of the French language, they must be prepared occasionally to submit to the ex- tortions practised by porters, cab-drivers, and others of a like class, which even the data furnished by the Handbook will not always enable them to avoid. II. Money. Travelling Expenses. Money. The decimal Monetary System of France is extremely convenient in keeping accounts. The Banque de France issues Banknotes of 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, and .50 francs, and these are the only banknotes current in the country. The French Gold coins are of the value of 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 francs ; SUrer coins of 5, 2, 1, V2i '^"cl Vs franc; Bronze of 10, 5, 2, and 1 centime (100 centimes = 1 franc). 'Sou' is the old name, still in common u.se, for 5 centimes; thus, a 5-franc piece is sometimes called 'une piece de cent sous', 2 fr. = 40 sous, 1 fr. = 20 sous, ','2 fr. = 10 sous. The currency of Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece being the same as that of France, Italian, Belgian, Swiss, and Greek gold and silver coins are received at their full value , and the new Austrian gold pieces of 4 and 8 florins are worth exactly 10 and 20 fr. respectively. The only foreign copper coins current in France are those of Italy and occasionally the English penny and halfpenny, which nearly correspond to the 10 and 5 centime piece respectively. English banknotes and gold are also generally received at the full value in the larger towns, except at the shops of the motiey- (55 lbs.); 10 c. is charged for booking. In all cases the heavier lug- gage must be booked, and a ticket procured for it; this being done, the traveller need not enquire after his "impedimenta' until he ar- rives and presents his ticket at his final destination (where they will be kept in safe custody, several days usually gratis). Where, how- ever, a frontier has to be crossed, the traveller should see his luggage cleared at the custom-house in person (comp. p. xv). At most of the railway-stations there is a consig7ie, or left-luggage office, where a charge of 10 c. per day is made for one or two packages, and 5 c. per day for each additional article. Where there is no consigne, the employes will generally take care of luggage for a trifling fee. The railway-porters (facteurs) are not entitled to remuneration, but it is usual to give a few sous for their services. — Interpreters are found at most of the large stations. There are no lie/reshment Rooms (Buffets) e,xeept at the principal stations; and as the viands are generally indifferent, the charges high, and the stoppages brief, the traveller is advised to provide himself be- V. RAILWAYS. XVII ♦ orehand wi(h the necessary sustenance and consunn- it at his leisure in tlie railway-carriage. Baskets containing a cold hinctieon are sold at some of the butfets lor 3-4 fr. Sleeping Carriayes (Wagons -Lits) are provided on nearly all the main lines of the Orleans, Midi, and Paris -Lyon -MMiterran^e systems. Trains de luxe, with flrawing-room, sleeping, and dining cars (Wagons- Restaurants) run on certain days, during the season, to the Pyrenees via Bordeau.x and to Nice via Lyons and Marseilles ; comp. p. 438 and the Indicaieur . The fares are about SO'/o higher than the ordinary first class fares. Dej. is provided at about 5 fr., D. at 6 fr., wine extra (half-a-bottle 1 fr.). The most tru.stworthy information as to the departure of trains is contained in the Indicateur des Chemins d e Fev. published weekly, and sold at all the stations (75 c). There are also separate and less bulky time-tables ('Lirrefs Chaix) for the different lines :d"Orl^ans, du Midi, etc. (40 c). Railway time is always that of Paris, which differs considerably fromthat of the adjacent countries. Thus the German time is 22 min.. the Swiss 26 min., and the Italian 40 min. in advance of French rail- way time, while Spanish time is 20 min. behind. Return-tickets (Billets d'aller et refour) are issued by all the railway -companies at a reduction of 15-40 per cent; but on the Midi system this privilege is restricted to certain fixed routes. The length of time for which these tickets are available varies with the distance and with the company by which they are issued; those is- sued on Sat. and on the eves of great festivals are available for three days. The recognised festivals are New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Ascension Day. Whit-Monday, the 'Fete Nationale' (July 14th), the Assumption (Aug. 15th), All Saints' Day (Nov. 1st), and Christ- mas Day. E.rcnrsion Trains (' Trains dePlaisir') should as a rule be avoided, as the cheapness of their fares is more than counterbalanced by the discomforts of their accommodation. Circular Tour Tirlcefs ('Billetsde Voynyes. C'/rcJtia/res'), available for 15-45 days, are issued by most of the large companies in summer at a reduction of 20-85 per cent on the ordinary fares, or even more if a number of tickets be taken together. There are also a number of Voyages Circulaires a itine'raires pres (routes arranged by the railway company) and also Voyages Civcxilaires a itine'raires facul- tafifs (routes arranged to suit individual travellers), tickets for which must be applied for at least five days in advance. For details, see the Indicatexr des Chemins de Fer. The following are some of the expressions with which the railway- traveller in France should be familiar: Railway -station, la gare (al.so Vemltarcadire) : booking-office, le ynichei or bureau; first, second, or third class ticket, un billet de premiere, de seconde, de troisiime classe ; to take a ticket, prendre un billet ; to register the luggage, /aice enregistrer les bagagef : luggage-ticket, bulletin de bagage ; waiting-room, salle d^aitente; refreshment room, le buffet (third-class refreshment -room , la burette): platform, le perron, le trottoir ; railway-carriage, le wagon; compartment, le coiupartiinent, le coup^ ; smoking compartment, fumeurs ; ladies' compartment, dames seules . guard, conducteur ; porter, /affe«>",- to enter the carriage, »ionter en wagon : take your seats ! en roiture! alight, deseendre: to change carriages, changer Baedeker. Southern France. t> xvin VI. HOTELS. de voiiure; express train to Calais, le train express pour Calais, Vexpress lie Calais. Diligences. The French Diligences , now becoming more and more rare . are generally slow (5-7 M. per hour) , uninviting , and inconvenient. The best seats are the three in the Coupe', beside the driver, which cost a little more than the others and are often engaged several days beforehand. The Jnte'rieur generally contains six places, and in some cases is supplemented by the Rotondt, a less com- fortable hinder-compartment, which, however, affords a good retro- spective view of the country traversed. The Impe'riale, Banquette, or roof affords the best view of all and may be recommended in good weather. It is advisable to book places in advance if possible , as they are numbered and assigned in the order of application. The fares are fixed by taritf and amount on an average to about i^j^d. per mile (coup^ extra). — For short distances the place of the dili- gences is taken "by Omnibuses, equally comfortless vehicles, in which, however, there is no distinction of seats. Those which run in con- nection with the railways have a fixed tariff, but in other cases bar- gaining is advisable. — Hotel Omnibuses, see p. xix. Hired Carriages ( Voituresde Louage) may be obtained at all the principal resorts of tourists at charges varying from 12 to 20 fr. per day for a single-horse vehicle and from 25 to 30 fr. for a carriage- and-pair, with a pourboire to the driver of 1-2 fr. The hirers almost invariably demand more at first than they are willing to take, and a distinct uiiderstahding should always be come to beforehand. A day's journey is reckoned at about 30 M., with a rest of 2-3 hrs. at midday. A return-fee is frequently demanded when the carriage is quitted at some distance from its home. Tourists may sometimes be able to avail themselves of return -carriages , which charge not less than 10-15fr. per day. — Saddle Horses, Asses, and Mules may also be hired. VI. Hotels, Restaurants, and Caf^s. Hotels. Hotels of the liighest class, fitted up with every modern convenience, are found only in the larger towns and in the more fashionable watering-places, where the influx of visitors is great. In other places the inns generally retain their primitive provincial characteristics, which might prove rather an attraction than other- wise were it not for the shameful defectiveness of the sanitary ar- rangements. The beds, however, are generally clean, and the cuisine tolerable. It is therefore advisable to frequent none but the leading hotels in places oi¥ the beaten track of tourists , and to avoid being misled by the appellation of 'Grand-Hotel', which is often applied to the most ordinary inns. Soap is seldom or never provided. The charges of provincial hotels are usually somewhat lowerthan at Paris, but at many of the largest modern establishments the tariff is drawn up on quite a Parisian scale. Lights arc not generally VI. HOTELS. XIX charged lor, and atteinlaiice is often included in the price of the bedroom. It is prudent, though not absolutely necessary, to enquire the charges in advance. The following are the average charges : room lV2-3fr. ; breakfast or 'premier dejeuner', consisting of 'cafe au lait', with bread and butter, l-li/4fr. ; luncheon or 'deuxieme dejeuner', taken about 11 a.m.,2V2-ifr- ;dinner, usually about 6 p.m., 3-0 fr. Wine is generally included in the charge for dinner, except in a few towns in the south-east. The second dejeuner will probably be regarded as superfluous by most English and American travellers, especially as it occupies a considerable time during the best part of the day. A slight luncheon at a caf^, which may be had at any hour, will be found far more convenient and expeditious. Attendance on the table d'hote is not compulsory, but the charge for rooms is raised if meals are not taken in the house, and the visitor will scarcely obtain so good a dinner in a restaurant for the same price. In many hotels visitors are received 'en pension' at a charge of 6-7 fr. per day and upwards. The usual fee for attendance at hotels is 1 fr. per day, if no charge is made in the bill : if service is charged , 50 c. a day in addition is generally expected. When the traveller remains for a week or more at a hotel, it is advisable to pay, or at least call for the account, every two or three days, in order that erroneous insertions may be at once detected. Verbal reckonings are objectionable, except in some of the more remote and primitive districts where bills are never written. A waiter's mental arithmetic is faulty, and the faults are seldom in favour of the traveller. A habit too often prevails of presenting the bill at the last moment, when mistakes or wilful impositions cannot easily be detected or rectified. Those who intend starting early in the morning should therefore ask for their bills on the previous evening. English travellers often give considerable trouble by ordering things almost unknown in French usage ; and if ignorance of the language be added to want of conformity to the customs, misunder- standings and disputes are apt to ensue. The reader is therefore recommended to endeavour to adapt his requirements to the habits of the country, and to acquire if possible such a moderate proficiency in the language as to render himself intelligible to the servants. Articles of Value should never be kept in the drawers or cup- boards at hotels. The traveller's own trunk is probably safer; but it is better to entrust them to the landlord, from whom a receipt should be required, or to send them to a banker. Doors should be locked at night. Travellers who are not fastidious as to their table-companions will often find an excellent cuisine, combined with moderate charges, at the hotels frequented by commercial travellers (voyageuvs de com- merce, commis-voyageurs) . Many hotels send Omnibuses to meet the trains, for the use ot b* XX VII. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. which Vj-I fr. is charged in the bill. Before taking their seats in one of these, travellers who are not encumbered with luggage should ascertain how far off the hotel is, as the possession of an omnibus by no means necessarily implies long distance from the station. He should also find out whether the omnibus will start immediately, without waiting for another train. Restaurants. Except in the larger towns, there are few pro- vincial restaurants in France worthy of recommendation to tourists. This, however, is of little importance, as the traveller may always join the table d'hote meals at hotels, even though not staying in the house. He may also dine a la carte, though not so advantageously, or he may obtain a dinner a prix fixe (3-6 fr.) on giving ^/^-y.^ hr.'s notice. He should always note the prices on the carte beforehand to avoid overcharges. The refreshment-rooms at railway-stations should be avoided if possible (comp. p. xvi): there is often a restau- rant or a small hotel adjoining the station where a better and cheaper meal may be obtained. Caf6s. The Cafe is as characteristic a feature of French pro- vincial as of Parisian life and resembles its metropolitan prototype in most respects. It is a favourite resort in the evening, when people frequent the caf^ to meet their friends, read the newspapers, or play at cards or billiards. Ladies may visit the better-class caf^s without dread, at least during the day. The refreshments, consisting of coffee, tea, beer, Cognac, liqueurs, cooling drinks of various kinds (swbef, orgeat , iM., railway in 21/3 l"'s. (fares 8 fr. 25, 6 fr. 20, 4 IV. 55 c.). The line first ascends" the valley of the Creiise, then that of the Claise. — 6 M. La Ilaye- Descartes, the birthplace of Descartes (1596-1650), the celebrated philosopher, to whom a statue has been erected here. — 13 M. Le Grand-Piessigny , with a keep of the 12th and a castle of the 17th century. About II/2 M. to the W. , at La Dous- fetiere, numerous Hint celts have been found. — 22 M. Preiiilly has a very fine Romanesque abbey -church. — Our route then quits the banks of the Claise and returns to the valley of the Creuse. — Beyond (36 51.) Fontgombault , which also has a very remarkable old abbey- church , we rejoin the Poitiers line. — 411/2 M. Le Blanc (p. 7). We cross the Creuse and ascend the valley of the Vienne. — 29 M. Les Ormes: 31'/2 AI. iJangt; 36'/2M. Ingr an des-sur -Vienne. 40';oM. Chatellerault ( /7o^ del' Univers; Hot. de I'Espe'rance), a town on the Vienne with 17.402 inhab., famous for its Arms Factory, which can only be visited with an order. The cutlery of Chatellerault is also celebrated. The chief building in the town is the church of 8f. Jacques, of the 13th cent., with a rich modern west front. — Line to Loudun, see p. 14. We next cross the Vienne and ascend the valley of the Clain. — 46 M. Les Barres. In the neighbourhood is the site of Vieu.x- Poitiers. and farther on. also on the right bank, is Monssais-la- Bataille, the probable scene of the famous battle of Poitiers (see below). — Beyond (49 M.) La Tricherie, on the left, is the castle of Baudiment , a curious edifice of the 15th cent, (restored). — 5IV2M. Dissais-sur- Vienne. with a fine castle of the 16th and 18th centuries. — 54 M. C/aH ; 56 M. Chasseneuil. On the right is the line to Loudun (see p. 14). — 61 M. Poitiers (Buffet). Poitiers. — Hotels. Hot. du Palais (PI. a;B, 3), a large house near the Palais de Justice, R. 21/0, D. 4 fr. : Hot. de Fr.A>-CE (Pl.b;B, 4), E. 2, D. 3fr. ; Hot. de i-'Europe (Pl.c: B , 4) ; Hot. des Trois-Piliers (Pl.d; B, 4); the last three in the Kue des Halles , near the Place d'Arines. — Caf^s, in the Rue des Halles and in the Place d'Armes, Poitiers, with a pop. of 36,878, the ancient capital oi Poitou and now the chief town of the department of theT'ienne, is the seat of a bishopric and possesses also a university, with a school of law, founded in 1431. It is situated on a hill at the confluence of the Clain and the Boivre, and most of the streets are narrow, tortuous, steep, and badly built. The limited trade of the town and the fact that it is largelv occupied by religious foundations combine to 1* 4 /. Route 1. POITIERS. Froin Tours make it rather a dull place, but it has some objects of interest ■which every tourist should endeavour to see. Poitiers first appears as a Celtic town, the capital of the Pietones or Pictavi, whence its modern name. To the Romans it was Icnown as Li- monum. About 353 St. Hilary (not to be confounded with his namesake of Aries) became its first bishop. Poitou was included in the Visigothic kingdom of Aquitaine, founded in 419, but after the defeat of Alaric II. by Clovis at Vouille, in 507, it was added to the Prankish dominions and constituted a countship whose holders afterwards made themselves dukes of Aquitaine. One of these dukes is said to have invited the Saracens into this part of the country, hut be this as it may, it was within 20 miles N.W. of Poitiers that Charles JIartel in 732 finally broke the power of the Moorish invaders. By the marriage of Eleanor, sole heiress of Poitou and Aquitaine , to Louis VII. of France these import- ant provinces became part of the royal dominions. Ou her divorce and re-marriage to Henry Plantagenet in 1152 they passed, unhappily for France, into the power of England. The most important event in the two centuries of strife which succeeded is the Battle of Poitiers (or Maupertuis) in 1356 , when .Tohn the Good was defeated by Edward the Black Prince and lost more than 11,000 men. By the treaty of Bretigny (1360) Aquitaine, and with it Poitou and other counties, passed in full sovereignty to Edward III., but the country between the Loire and the Garonne was finally won back in 1372 by the Constable Bertrand du Gues- clin. The Protestants under Coligny unsuccessfully besieged Poitiers for seven weeks in 1569. Since then its history has been uneventful. Quitting the Station (PI. A, 4) , which is situated in the lowei' part of the town, carriages reach the centre by a long circuit to the left vi5, the Boulevard Solferino. Pedestrians go direct by the Rue de la Visitation , the first street ascending to the right from the boulevard. Turning again to the right at the first cross street, they reach the square in front of the Prtjecture (PI. A,B, 4), a large featureless building. Hence the Rue Victor-Hugo leads to the Place d'Armes (P1.B,3,4), a large square forming the centre of the town. On the opposite (E.) side is the Hotel de Villa (PI. B, C, 3) , a tine building, erected between 1868 and 1875, in the style of the French Renaissance. It contains the principal collections belonging to the town, including a library and two museums. Of the latter, the Muse'e des Beaux-Arts is open to the public on Sun. from noon to 4 p. m. It contains 150 works by well-known painters, of which 10 are by Curzon of Poitiers. There is also a portrait by Tintoretto. The Mitse'e d'Histoire Naturelle is open on Tliurs.. from noon to 4 p. m. except when it rains. Strangers may obtain admission on other days, at the same hours, to both museums. The SociETE DES Antiquaiees de l'Ouest has also in the neigh- bouring Rue des Grandes-Ecoles (P1.B,3) an important museum of Roman and other antiquities. On the right, behind the Hotel de Ville, is a pretty house in the Renaissance style. Thence we follow the street on the left to the Rue d'Orl^ans, the second on the right, by which we descend. The Temple St. Jean (P1.D,3), at the end of the next street, Is a curious structure, now identified as a baptistery of the 6th cen- tury. In plan it is an oblong of about 42 ft. by 26 ft. ; the floor is for to Bordeaux. POITIERS. I. Route 1. 5 the most part below the present level of the street. On the longer sides are additions made in the 12th cent. , and at either end are apses. The exterior is decorated with pilasters, arcades, pediments, and rosettes ; and in the interior are marble pillars of different sizes, dating apparently from some more ancient building. There are also some frescoes of the 11th century. The Cathedral {St. Peter's; PI. C,D,2) was begun in 1162 by Henry II. of England, husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine or Guienne (p. 4), but the west facade only was completed and the church conse- crated in 1379. Some parts are llomanesque, but the PlantagenetGothic style predominates. The facade is comparatively poor; it is too wide and too low and the unfinished towers which flank it increase its heaviness. The interior is imposing on account of the boldness of its proportions and the width of its aisles and bays. To make it appear longer than it actually is the architect has increased the effect of the perspective by lessening the width of the nave and aisles and by a corresponding lowering of the arches towards the choir, which ends in a straight wall pierced by three windows, instead of in an apse. .Some of the stained glass dates from the ll-12th cent., while the fine choir-stalls are assigned to the latter half of the 14th. Behind the choir, on the left, is the modern tomb of Monsgr. P.ouille. From the rear of the cathedral we descend to the right to Ste. liadeqonde (PI. D,2), a church founded about 560 by the queen of that name, wife of Clotaire I., who retired hither to her convent of Ste. Croix. It was, however, rebuilt in the ll-13th cent, in the same style as the cathedral, except the main entrance, which belongs to the 15th or 16t]i century. A tine Gothic steeple rises from the facade. Specially noteworthy within the church are a Crypt con- taining the sarcophagus of St. Kadegonde (an object of pilgrimage), and a marble statue of the saint, attributed to Girardon. On the left of the nave is a kind of niche called the chapel of the Pas-de-Dieu, with two poor statues, between which, on the pavement, is a foot- print made, according to the legend, by our Lord when he appeared to St. Kadegonde. This church is near the Clain, which is spanned by the Pont Neuf, to the right, and by the Pont Joubert, to the loft. We re- asceud into the town by the street which begins at the latter bridge and is continued by one which leads us straight to — '^Notre-Dame (P1.B,2), a very interesting monument of Roman- esque architecture dating from the end of the 11th cent., with ad- ditions of the 15th and 16th. This church is noted for its *We^t Facade, which, like that of Angouleme cathedral (p. 9), has all the elaboration of detail which we associate with the repouss^ work of the goldsmith. It is composed of three tiers of arches, in the lowest of which are inserted a round-headed door and two obtusely pointed blind ones subdivided into two semicircular arcades. The 6 /. Route 1. POITIERS. From Tours uppermost tiers, broken by a large window, contain mutilated sta- tues of St. Hilary, St. Martin, and the Apostles, and in the gable-end is one of Christ in the act of blessing, surrounded by the emblems of the Evangelists. There are besides some bas-reliefs with subjects drawn chiefly from the life of the Virgin. This facade is flanked by turrets with conical tops and fish-scale ornamentation. The steeple of the church, with a similar top, is at the entrance to the choir. — The Interior, disfigured by modern paintings of coarse tone, is divided into nave and aisles, the former having a barrel vault, the latter being groined. The side- chapels were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. There is no transept, but the aisles are prolonged round the choir^ The latter contains a 13th cent, fresco on its vault and a fine modern high-altar in the Romanesque style. In a chapel on the right is a "Holy Sepulchre' of the 16th century. The Palais de Justice (PI. B, 3) a little beyond Notre-Dame, on the left, includes , behind some late additions, remains of the old castle of the counts of Poitou (14th cent.). The finest part is the *SaUe des Pas-Perdus, the old guard -chamber, measuring 160 by 56 ft. and recalling that of the Palais de Justice at Rouen, The old Provost's Covrt {Prevute'; PI. A, B,2), a building of the 15 -16th cent. , now a school, has a very remarkable fagade, with four turrets and some fine pediments over its windows. At the N. end of the town stands the church of Montibrneuf {Moutier-Neuf; PI. A, 1), an ancient church of the Benedictines, of the 11th cent. , and of exceptional width for that period. It has a little cupola above the crossing, surmounted by two bell turrets which are connected by three arches. Between the Palais de Justice and the Place d'Armes is St. Por- ckaire (PI. B,3), a church of the 16th cent. , with a Romanesque tower, dating from an older building. — To the S. is St. Hilary (PI. B, 5), a monastic church founded, it is said, before the 6th cent., rebuilt in the 11th and 12th, and partly in the present century. It consists of a nave and six aisles and has 6 cupolas, but no steeple. The Parc de Blossac (PI. B, 0,5,6), at the S. end of the town, a promenade laid out in the 18th cent., commands a fine view of the Clain valley, on which side it is bordered by the remains of the old 14th century liamparts, which extend some way westward between the town and the railway. At the entrance from the Rue des Capu- cins are two marble groups by Etex , representing the Joys and Sorrows of Motherhood. There is a dolmen, called the Plerre-Lere'e , in the suburb of St. Saturnin, to the NJi., beyond the Pont-Neuf (PI. D, 2, 3). From Poitiers to Louditn (Angers) see p. 14; to La Rochelle aud Roche/ort, R. 3. Branch Line from Poitiers to (SSi/oM.) Parthenay , identical with the Loudun line as far as Neuville-de- Poitou (p. 15). From Poitiers to St. Sulpice-Lavrikre fLinioges) , 78 M., railway in 31/2-41/2 lirs. (fares 15 fr. 60, 11 fr. 75. 8 fr. 50 c.). — The Angouleme line to Bordeaux. ST. SAVIN. I. Route 1. 7 is followed as far as (Sl/oM.) Si. BenoH (see belowl, lieyoiul which a short tunnel is passed. — 7l/o JI. ilignaloux -NouailU (branch-line to St. Savin andLe Blanc, see below)". lOi/n M. Nieuil-l- Espoir ; 131 '2 M. Fleuri. Beyond (181/2 M.) Vllommaize, the line crosses the Vienna. — 251/2 M. Lussac- les-Chdieaux , which has only one old castle, through the ruins of which the railway passes. 33V-> M. Montmorillon (Heij-Church of the 11th cent., a cruciform building with three aisles , a transept, and ambulatory. Over the porch i.s a tine steeple with a Gothic spire, and over the transept a square tower. The height of the interior is e.\cepti(jnal for a Romanesque church. The columns are 59ft. and the main vaulting 69ft. high, although the total width of the building is only 601/2 ft. and its length 160 ft. But the most interesting features of this church are the * Wall-Paintings of the 12th cent., with which it is decorated throughout, and which are said to comprise no less than 250 ligures. One series consists of subjects from Genesis, E.xodus , and the Apocalypse; the others represent the patron saints of the abbey and of the neighbouring district. Those in the choir and chapels are inferior to those in the nave, which recall the works of the Byzantine school. 45 M. Le Blanc (Hot. de France), the Oblincitm of the Romans, with 7140 inhab., stands on the Creuse. The chief object of interest is the church of St.Oinitour of the 12th, 13th, and 15th centuries. — Line to Pori-de- Piles, see p. 3. In the opposite direction it is continued to (31 31.) Ar- genion (p. 34). Another line is under construction to (31 31.) Buzanqais (p. 35). II. From Poitiers to Angoul§me. 70 31. Railway in I2/3-3V3 hrs. (fares 14 fr., 10 fr. 55, 7 fr. 65 c.). The line passes through a shoit tunnel into the picturesque valley of the Clam, and crosses that river several times. — 64 M. (from Tours) St. Benoit, the junction for St. Sulpice-Lauriere and Limoges (see above), and also for La Ilochelle and llochefort (R.3). — 66 M. Liguye, with an old Benedictine abbey founded by St. Martin. Farther on, oa the right, is the castle of Bernay, of the 15th century. — lO'/a M. Iteuil; 73 M. Vivonne; 79 M. Anche- 8 7. Boute 1. ANGOULEME. Fro^n Tours Voulon; 82 M. Cuuhe'-Ve'rac, situated o^i'-^M. to the W. (omnibus); STVa M. Epanvilliers. A branch-line runs from (93 M.) St. Saviol to (10 M.) Charro2ix, via (d'/j M.) Civray , a small town on the Charente, with a Romanesque church with an interesting west front. 102 M. Ruffec (Buffet), another little town, has also a Roman- esque church with a remarkable facade. The town is celebrated for truffled pies. Line to Niort (p. 20). A short tunnel is passed through. 108 M. Mottssac , beyond which the Charente is crossed. 11 M. Luxe'; 119 M. St. Amnnd- de-Boixe; the town, 1^/^ M. to the S.-W. (omn.), has a curious church, a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic. 123 M. Vars. As we approach Angouleme, a fine view of the town and its prin- cipal buildings is presented, the most prominent being (from left to right) the steeple of St. Martial , the tower of the Hotel de Ville, and the cathedral with its square tower. 131 M. Angoul§me {Buffet; Hot. du Palais, Place du Murier, in the centre of the town; Hot. de France, R. 2fr. ; Cafe's in the Place du Murier), with 34,647 inhab. , the ancient capital of the Angoumois , is now the chief town of the dei)artmeut of the C/ia- rente, and an episcopal see. Like Poitiers, it occupies an emi- nence between two rivers, the Charente and the Anguienne. but it is a little better built and is encircled by promenades which afford very fine views. The cathedral and other public buildings deserve a visit, and may be seen in a few hours. The town is noted for its paper-mills. The town existed in the time of the Romans, who named it Encolisma. It was included in the kingdom of Aquitaine, but at a later period became the capital of a county which was handed over to the English by the treaty of Bre'tigny in 1360. It revolted in 1373 and as a reward for its fidelity to the crown, it was constituted a duchy, and made the appanage of one of the royal princes. The town was several times taken and sacked in the Religious Wars, notably by Coliguy. From the Gare d'Orle'ans, or station of the Bordeaux line, in front of which is the Gare de I'Etat for the line to Limoges and Saintes, we ascend to the right by the Avenue Gambetta. On the left is the seminary and church of St. Martial, a flue modern build- ing in the Romanesque style, with a steeple over the facade. It was built by Paul Abadie (d. 1884) , architect of the church of the 'Sacr^-Coeur' at Paris, who made a special study of the Romanesque style, and restored or built a large number of churches in the country. The street issuing in front of this church and the one continu- ing it lead us to the *II6tel uk Ville, a very remarkable structure, in great part modern (1858-66) , which is also the work of Abadie. It is in the style of the 13th cent, and occupies the site of the castle, of the Counts of Angouleme, of which there remain two towers on the left, one of the 14th, the other of the 15th century. — In a small garden on the same side is the marble Statue of Margaret of Valois, or Angouleme, sister of Francis I. and queen of Navarre (d. 1549), by Bndiou de la Tronchere (1871). to Bordeaux. ANGOULEME. /. Boute 1. 9 A new street leads from the front of the Hotel do Yille to the Covered Market, which in 1888 replaced the Ghatelet, the forinev prison. In the square to the right of the Hotel de Ville is a bronze statue, hy R. Verlet, of /))•. Jean BouUlavd (1796-1867). The Palais de Justice is situated in the Place du Miirier, a little before the preced- ing, to the right. Behind the statue is the Theatre (1866-72), in a square abutting on the Bamparts. wliich command a comprehensive view of the valley of the Anguieune. The *Cathedeal of St. Peter, a short distance to the right, is one of the most interesting Romanesque-Byzantine churches in France, recalling Notre -Dame at Poitiers (p. 5) and St. Front at P^rigueux (p. 39). It belongs, as a whole, to the 12th cent., but was thoroughly restored and even partly rebuilt between 1866 and 1875 by Abadie. It comprises a nave without aisles, surmounted by three cupolas; a transept with a cupola forming a lantern in the centre; a north transept tower (see below) ; the remains of a south transept tower; and an apse with four chapels. — The *Fapade, which recalls on a large scale that of Notre-Dame at Poitiers', Is also the most curious part of this church. Exclusive of the gable, it is composed of four tiers of arcades , divided from top to bottom by columns into five bays. The lowest tier has five arches, of which the largest and central one contains the sole door in the facade. Above this door is a large window and above that, between symbols of the Evan- gelists, is a Christ in Judgment, to which event most of the many sculptures of the facade refer. Below the Christ, to the right and left, are angels sounding the last trump, the dead rising from their graves (the blessed distinguished by the nimbus and the reprobate accompanied by demons), the Doctors of the Church, the Apostles, symbolic representations of Faith (St. George), Hope, and Charity (St. Martin), etc.. and numerous beautiful ornamentations. The splendid *Tower at the end of the N. transept, 193 ft. in height, is the next striking feature of this church. It was neces- sarily pulled down at the time of tlie restoration, but rebuilt exactly in its former shape and, as far as possible, with the same materials. It has six square stages, diminishing in size, and four of them pre- sent open bays. The corresponding S. tower, of which only the base remains, was destroyed by the Calvinists in 1568; it had a Gothic spire. — In the Interior the cupolas of the nave (which has slightly pointed arclies) and the lantern of the transept, pierced by twelve windows, merit special notice. The pile of buildings to the left of the cathedral is the Bishup's Palace, of the same age as the church and also restored by Abadie. Continuing to follow tlie ramparts beyond the cathedral, we ar- rive at the Jardin Vert., a fine promenade on the side of the hill. To appreciate the view , the best plan is to make for the top by the Promenade de Beaulieu, which skirts the spacious buildings of the 10 I. Route 1. COGNAC. From Tours Lycee and commands the valley of the Charente. The return may thus be made, by the edge of the hill, as far as the street that as- cends from the station. Near the end of the ramparts on the right are the Prisons, in a part of the old Chatelet, dating from the 13th and 15th centuries. The lateral streets on this side lead to the Hotel de Ville and the Palais de Justice, which is in the neigh- bouring Place du Murier (p. 9). From Akgoulemb to Saintes (Rochefort, La Rochelle), 481/2 M., rail- way in 2-23/4 hrs. (fares 7 fr. 90, 5 fr. 95, 4 fr. 35 c). — From the Gare de I'Etat fp. 8) we pass through a tunnel under the town and cross the Bor- deaux line. — 3 M. St. Michel-sur-Charente, with a curious octagonal church of the 12th centurv. The line then follows the valley of the Charente. 7M. Nersac; 91/431. Sireuil. 141/4 M. Chateauneuf-sur-Charente, a thriving little town, once a strong- hold in the hands of the English, and only recovered from them after a siege of four years (1376-80). A branch -line runs hence to (12 M.) Bar- betieux (Hot. de France), a town of 4090 inhab. , on the slope of a hill, with the remains of a castle of the loth cent., a church of the same period, and another of the 12th century. 18 M. St. Atnant-de-Graves; 2OV2 M." St. Heme; 23 M. Jarnac, a small town chiefly known for the victory of the Catholics under the Duke of Anjou, afterwards Henri III., over the Protestant army of the Prince of Conde in 1569. The country to the left of our route and to the S. of the Charente, as far as beyond Cognac, is the Petite Champagne. Farther south is the Grande Champagne. They are so called because they are of the same geological formation as Champagne and, like it, produce excellent white wines of which highly-reputed brandies are made, those of the sec- ond being called ''Fine Champagne'. — 271/2 M. Gensac-la-Pallue. 313/4 31. Cognac (Hot. de Londres)^ an old town of 15,200 inhab., the centre of the brandy trade of the Charente, the products of which are sent to all parts of the world. Its chief object of interest is the church of St. L^ger, mainly of the 11th, 14th, and 15th centuries. The fagade has line florid Komanesque details. Cognac contains an Equestrian Statue of Francis 7., a modern bronze by Etex. The large brandy distilleries and^. the vast store-houses should be seen. One of the latter is on the site of the castle in which Francis I. was born (1494). 36 M. Le Perat; 881/2 JI. Drives -CMrac; 42 M. Beillant. — 481/" M. Saintes (p. 26). From Angouleme to Limoges, 73 M. , railway in 31/2-33/4 hrs. (fares 14 fr., 10 fr. 65, 7 fr. 70 c.). We start from the Gare d'Orleans (p. 8). — 33/4 M. Ruelle, with a large cannon-foundry established in 1750. — 6I/4 M. Magnac-Toiivre. The copious springs of Touvre are at the foot of a hill which is crowned by a ruined castle. — From (10 M.) Le Quh-oy-Pranzac a branch-line runs to (221/2 M.) the little town of A'ontron, via (8 JI.) Marthon, where are the remarkable ruins of a castle of the 12th century. This branch is to be extended as far as (18 31.) Thiviers (p. 38). 171/2 31. La Rochefoucauld (IlOt. du Commerce).^ a little town with the remarkable *ChAteau of the family of that name ^ founded in the 9th or 10th cent., but datiug chiefly from the 12th and i6th. The finest parts, dating from the Renaissance, are the magnificent staircase built by Fontant ( 1528-38) and the galleries , surmounted by arches , which surround the inner court, by the same artist. — 25 31. Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure, which has a castle of the 17th cent, ami iron mines. — From (33 31.) Roumazilre- Lnubert (Buffet) a branch-line diverges to (IO1/2 31.) Cnnfolens (Hot. Rouffy), a town with 3083 inhab., a castle, and two ancient churche.s. We now reach the valley of the Vienne. 4OI/2 31. Chabanais. 451/2 ST. Saillat-Chasse- non. Chassenon, 21/2 II. to the S.W., is the Cassinomagus of the Romans. A branch-line runs hence to (2831.) Biis.Uire-Galant (Pe'rigueux, see p. 38), vii (41/2 M.) Bocbechouart (Hot. Faure), a little town with a remarkable castle to Bordeaux. LIBOURNE. I. Route 1. 11 situated on a lofty rock and rebuilt in the iStli cent., and (231/-2 M.) Chdlus, with two keeps of the strong castle in attacking which Richard Coeur- de-Lion was mortally wounded in 1199, at the rock JIaumont. 501/2 M. St. Junien (Commerce), an industrial town of 8479 inhab., con- taining a remarkable abbey-church of the 12th cent, with the richly sculp- tured tomb of St. Junien, of the same period, and a beautiful high altar. Here there is also a bridge of the 13th cent., with a chapel of the Virgin to which Louis XI. made a pilgrimage. — Beyond (66V2 M.) Aixe-sur- Vienne^ an industrial place with 375t) inhab., we pass through a tunnel, 1/4 M. long. — 73 M. Limoges (Gare de JXontjovis, p. 35). jIII. From Angoulgme to Bordeaux."^ SaV-T M. to the Gare de la Bastide, 87 M. to that of St.-Jean (see p. 41). R.viLWAY in 2-4V" and 2V-t53/4 hrs. (fares 16 fr. 45, 12 fr. 35 c, 9 fr., or 17 fr. 35, 13 fr., 9'fr. 45 c.)T Best views to the right. •jThe line passes under the town through a tunnel '/g M. long. — 136 M. (from Tours) La Couronne, with a large paper-mill and the remarkable ruins of a Gothic abbey -church of the 12th cen- tury. — 139'/.2 M. Mouthiers; 1 44^/4 M. Charmant. We now pass from the Charente to the Dordogne basin by a tunnel nearly 1 M. long, and enter the valley of the Tude. The country assumes more and more a southern appearance. — 152M. Montmoreau. — 162*/2M. Chalais, a small decayed town, with the ruins of a castle of the 14th, 16th, and 18th cent. Hence we pass to the valley of the Dronne. 171 V2M. Ln Boclte-Chalais-St. Aigulin ; 176 M. Les Eglisottes. 182 M. Coutras {Buffet, good wine), a small commercial town, with scanty remains of its ancient castle. In 1587 Henri IV. here defeated the Leaguers under the Due de Joyeuse. Line to Peri- gueux, see p. 41. From Coi:tras to Cavigkac, 16 31., railway joining the Hue from Bor- deaux to Nantes (R.4). The Me is crossed. 41/4 M. Guitres, a small town on a hill to the right, with a fine Romanesque church. 13 31. Afarcenais. junction of a line to Libourne. 16 31. Cavi'jnac (p. 29). We next cress the Isle and continue to follow the valley of the Dronne. — 197 M. St. Denis-de-Pile.^. 192M. Libourne [Buffet; Hot. de France, Rue Chanzy. D. 3fr. ; des Princes, Rue de Guitres), a commercial and industrial town with 16,736 inhab., at the confluence of the Dordogne and the Isle. It is of ancient origin (Condate), but has been to a great extent rebuilt on a regular plan since the wars with the I^nglish (to whom it re- mained loyal up to 1451) and the Religious Wars. The fine steeple of the Gothic church (15th cent.), recently rebuilt and 233 ft. high, is seen from a distance, to the right. Abciut li/j 31. to the W. is Fronsac. on a hill (236 ft.) which alTords a fine view. The town was fortified since the time of Charlemagne, but the castle is now destroyed. From Libodrne to 3I.vrce>iais (see above) a branch-line of 12 31., joining the line from Bordeaux to Nantes. From Libovrse to Le Blissojj, 61 31., railway in 3-4 hrs. (fares 13 fr. 45, 10 fr. 25, 7 fr. 75 c). This line ascends the Dordogne valley. 5 31. St. EmiUon (IlOt. Dussaud) , a curious little town famous for its wines. It occupies a picturesque site on a hill, and still retains a great part of its medisevel ramparts, with large ditches dug out of the rock. 12 /. Route 1. BERGERAC. lu the hill itself are immense quarries still worked for building stone. Here, too , is a Monolithic Church , scooped out in the rotk iu the Middle Ages, and measuring 104 ft. in length, 46 ft. in breadth, and 521/2 ft. in height. It is at the side of the hermitage of St. Emilion , or rather St. Emilien, who lived here in the 8th cent., and on a terrace above stands a fine tower of tlie 12th and 1.5th centuries. The neighbouring collegiate church and cloister (12th and 13th cent.) are also remarkable. Of the Castle^ to the W. of (he town, there remains little more than a square keep. 11 M. Castillon, memorable for the defeat which definitely cost the English Guienne, in 1453. John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, was among the slain. Beyond (221/2 M.) St. Antoine-Port- Ste. Fay, the Dordogne is crossed. 24 M. Ste. Foy- la -Grande, a town of 3180 inhabitants. 32 M. Lamonzie-St. Martin. Then the Dordogne is recrossed. 38 31. Bergerac (Grand Ildtel; IJOt. des Voyagezirs)^ a town of 14,353 in- hab. on the Dordogne, was one of the Calvinist strongholds of the 16tli century. Notre-Dame is a fine modern church in the style of the 13th cen- tury. A large business is done here in wines and truffles. Line to Mar- Miande, see p. 64. 421/2 M. Creiisse-Mouleydier, ■f.yitli paper-mills, and the ruins of a castle. After a tunnel we see a canal rendered necessary by the rapids of the Dordogne. — 51 M. Lalinde, an ancient little town (Diolindum) ; 531/0 M. Maiizac. Then a tunnel , two bridges over the Dordogne , and a second tunnel. 56 M. Tremolai ; 58 M. Alles. We cross the Dordogne for the last time. 61 M. Le Buissnn (p. 87). Quitting Libourne, we cross the Dordogne, already a very large stream. 195 M. AriJeyres ; 197V2 M- yayres. dominated by a castle partly of the 13-14th centuries. 201 M. St. Sulpice-d'Izon; 203 M. St. Louhes. At a distance, on the right, are the bridges of Cubzac (p. 29). 205Va M. La Grave-d' Ambarh. A little farther on, to the right, the line from Nantes is joined (R. 4), and the Garonne now appears on that side. We pass through a series of cuttings, over three viaducts, and through three short tunnels. — 210 V2 M. Lormont . on the Garonne, with shipbuilding yards. Two more tunnels and then, on the right, a splendid view of Bordeaux and its harbour. 2I3V2M. Bordeaux (Gare de la Bastide; see p. 41). Trains in connection with the line to the South , at the St. Jean station (p. 41), back out a little way and make a detour to cross the Ga- ronne by the bridge mentioned on p. 44. 2. From Tours to Les Sables-d'Olonne. 156 M. Raii.ua V in 6-S hrs. (fares 27 fr. 75, 21 fr. , 15 fr. 30 c). The trains start from the (iare de TEtat, beside the principal station. Tours, see Baedeker' » Northern France. — The line, after pass- ing above that to Nantes , crosses the Cher and traverses marshy tracts. — At (3^/4 M.) Jone'-les-Tours., the line to Loches-Chateau- roux fp. 33) branches off on the left. 6V4 M. Ballan. Pope Martin IV. (Simon de Brion , d. 1285) was born in the neighbouring Chateau de la Carte, the chapel of which has some fine stained glass of the 16th century. iO^i-iM. />cin/e; IS'/a M. Vallireg. CHINON. 7. Route 2. 13 IG M. Azay-le-Kideau (Hot. du (inind Monarque) , a town of 2126 iiiliab., with an interesting; Renaissance *Chdfeaii. A branch-line runs hence to (12 M.) Croiizilles-St. Gilles (Port-de-Pile?). for the Camp du Riichard (Si/aM.), estahlished in the "landes' of that name. The line crosses the Indre. and beyond (2OV2 ^^•) H'larennes traverses the forest of Chinon. 24 M. St. Benoht ; 27 M. Huismes. Before Chinon. which is seen on the right, a tunnel of 1000 yds. is passed through. 31 M. Chinon {Hot. de Frnnce , Place de rH6tel-de-Ville; lioiUe d'Or. on the quay) is a commercial town (pop. 6205), pret- tily situated on the eminences of the right bank of the Vien^ie, and celebrated for its history and its castle. It consists almost en- tirely of narrow and tortuous streets in which are still seen houses of the 15th and 16th centuries. Chinon already existed in the Roman period, under the name of Caino. Subsequently it was occupied by the Visigoths, belonged to the kingdoms of Paris and Austrasia, then to the Counts of Touraine and to Henry II. of England, who was fond of the town and died here in 1189. Reunited to France early in the 13th cent., it nevertheless changed hands frequentl.v up to the beginning of the 15th century. It was here that Joan of Arc sought audience of Charles VII. in 1428 to induce him to march to the relief of Orleans. On the quay is a Statue of Rnhelah, born at or near Chinon about 1495 , a modern bronze by Em. Hubert. Opposite is the Place de rHotel-de-Yille, whence the Rue St. Kiienne leads to the right to the Rue du Pu>-des-Bancs, the principal approach to the castle. The Castle of Chinon really consisted of three distinct castles. The Chateau de St. Georges (the least ancient), of which only the base of the curtain-wall remains, lies to the right of the entrance to the two others, whose ruins are surrounded by a tine promenade, public from noon till dusk in summer on Sundays and holidays. The Chateau du Milieu was built on the site of the Roman castrum in the 11th cent, and was often repaired. Its chief parts are the Pavilion de IFIorloge, at the entrance (ring), the Grand Logis, and the donjon or keep. The Chateaii du Coudray has still a flne tower with a chapel of the 13th cent., and two round towers. J^'ear the foot of the approach to the castle is the church of St. Etienne. of the 15th cent., with a beautiful doorway, some flne stained glass and a handsome modern gallery. It also still possesses a cope, said to have belonged to St. Mesme, which dates from the 10th or 11th century. Farther on , in a continuation of the Rue St. Etienne . is the ruined church of St. Mesme, of which two Romanesque and Gothic towers are the chief remains. Adjoining is a tasteful modem Gothic Chapel. On the opposite side , at the end of the Rue St. Maurice, which also starts from the Place de THotel-de-Ville, and in which there are some interesting old houses, is the church of St. Maurice, of the 12th, 15th, and 16th cent., with a steeple partly Romanesque, and flne vaulted arches. Among the paintings arc a 14 /. Route 2. LOUDUN. From Tours large fresco by Grandiii and a Madonna attributed to Sassoferrato, on the last pillar to the right. Bbanch Line to (91/2 M.) Fort-Boulet, on the line from Tours to Nantes; see Baedeher't Northern France. From Chinon to Port - de- Piles , 231/2 M. , railway in lV4-lV2hr. (fares 4 fr. 65, 3 fr. 50, 2 fr. 55 c). This branch diverges to the left from •the line to Sables beyond the bridge and ascends the valley of the Vienne. — From (3 M.) Ligr^-Ririere^ a branch-line runs to (10 51.) Riche- lieu (pop. 2471), the birthplace of the famous Cardinal (1585-1642), who made a handsome town of it and built in it a splendid castle of which nearly nothing remains. At Champigny - mr -Vends , the preceding station (3 M.), there also stood a magnificent eastle, of which the chapel is still extant, built in the early Renaissance style, and adorned with beautiful stained glass by K. Pinaigrier. — 101/2 M. Jle-Bouchard, a small town containing the ruins of an 11th cent, priory, and near which is a large dolmen. — At (12i/.i 31.) Crouzilles-St.Gilles, we ioin the branch-line from Azay-le-Rideau (p. 13). — 231/2 31. Port-de-Piles (p. 3). The railway crosses the Vienne at Chinon and affords a striking view of the town. — 34 M. La Roche -Clermanlt. Beyond (38 M.) Beuxes the keep of Loudun is seen on the left. 45^/2 M. Loudun (Buffet; Hot. des lies, near St. Pierre-du- Marche), the Jidiodinutm of the Romans, is built on an eminence (pop. 4528). It played an important part in the Religious Wars and gave its name to an edict favourable to the Protestants in 1616; but it is still better known for the trial of the cure Urbain Grandier, Avho was burnt alive in 1634, on a charge of sorcery. Loudun has still many old streets, narrow and dark. Turning to the left at the end of the Rue de la Gare, then to the right into the Rue Seche, we reach St. Pierre-dn- Marche', a Gothic church with a Renaissance gateway and a lofty stone spire. The street on this side of the Place leads ioSte. Croix, a flue Romanesque church with nave and aisles and a transept, with ambulatory and little apses. This church now serves as a nlarket-house. — Turning to the right on the other side of St. Pierre - du - Marchi? . we pass the Palais de Justice, recently built, and perceive on the left the lofty square Keep of the old 12th cent, castle which is in a close. — The street to the left, on the other side of the Palais, leads to St. Pierre-du- Martray. a church with some good details in the Flamboyant style. — Still farther is the Porte du Martray ., the chief remaining por- tion of the old fortifications of the town. From Loudun to Angers (Saumur) see Baedeker's Northern France. From Loudun (Angers) to Ciiatellekault (p. 3), Sli/o M., railway in 1 V4 br. (fares 6 fr. 65, 4 fr. 70, 3 fr. 45 c.). The principal station is (2OV2 M.) LencloHre ., a town which has sprung up around au abbey of which the Romanesque church is still extant. From Loudun to Poitiers, 431/2 M., raihvav in 2-61/2 hrs. (fares 8 fr. 45, 6 fr. 35, 4 fr. 65 c.). — 5 M. Ar<;ay (see p. 15). 121 /.j M. Monconiour , a village famous for the victory of the Duke of Anjou (Henri III.) over the Protestants commanded by Coligny in 1569. It has a ruined castle and a keep of the 13th century. Branch to (lOM.) Airvault (p. 15). — 231/2 M. Afireheait, with the remain.s of fortifications ; 33 M. Neuville-de-Poitou, the junction of the Parthenay line (see below). The railway skirts Loudun on the side of the Porte du Martray. to Les Sables dOlonne. THOUARS. I. lioiite 2. 15 — 50 M. Affay . where the Poitiers line branches off (see above). oS'/a M. Pas-de-Jeu, at the head of the Canal de la Dive. About 21/3 M. to the S.W. is Oiron, with a Castle of the 16th cent., which was inhabited by Mme. de Montespan. It was ravaged at the Re- volution, but some remarkable features remain. The rooms are still richly decorated, particularly with frescoes from the ^Eneid. Here too may be seen enamelled plaques which probably came from the same manufactory as the splendid faiences of Henri II. at the Louvre. The old Chapel, which is now used as a parish church, contains four line mausoleums executed in marble by Italian artists, but sadly mutilated by the Huguenots in 1568. There are four dolmens in the park of Oiron. 61 M. Thou&rs (Buffet; Hot. du Cheval-Blanc, Grande-Rue; de la Gave, unpretending), a town with 4992 inhab., on the Thouet, the capital of the powerful viscounts of Thouars, who were almost always partizans of the English kings , down to 1372 , when the town was won back to France by Bertrand du Guescliu. Afterwards it was for a long time in the hands of the Dues de la Tr^moille, who built the castle. From the station to the town '/2M., to the casle 1 M. The Castle is a spacious structure of the 16th cent., built on steep cliffs above the river. It is now used as a house of detention and cannot be visited without a special order; but visitors may obtain admission (after 10 a. m.) to the chapel, called Ste. Chapelle. a fine example of the Gothic style, finished in 1514. It has a crypt cut out in the rock, with the vault of the Tr^moille family. Fine view of the valley of the Thouet from the terrace in front of the castle and from the chain-bridge farther to the right. Among the other churches, St. Laon and St. Medard, of the 12th and 15th cent., may be mentioned. Line to rails - Saumur via Montreuil - Bellay (Angers) , see Baedeker's Northern France. From Thouaes to Niort, 55 M., railway in 21/2-41/4 hrs. (fares 10 fr. 90 8 fr. 25, 6 fr. 5 c). This section of the new line from Paris to Bordeaux vii Saumur quits the Sables line beyond the viaduct (see below) and ascends the valley of the Thouet. — 15 M. Airvault (Hot. des Voyageurs), a little town in which the church of St. Pierre, an old abbey-church, is a very noteworthy example of the Romanesque style of the 10th cent.; it was repaired in the 12th. Here, too, are the remains of a strong castle. — The Thouet is crossed, i/jM. higher up, by an 11th cent, bridge with eleven arches, called Pont de Yernay. Branch to Moncontour , see p. 14. — 171/2 31. 'SV. Loup-sur-Thouet, with a chateau of the 17th century. 28 M. Parthenay (Hot. Tranchant), a picturesque place of 6646 inhab., is still surrounded with ramparts of the I2-13th cent., which formed three lines of defence. It played an important part in the wars against Eng- land in the Middle Ages, in the Religious Wars, and in those of the Vendee. The ruins of Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre , in the Romanesque style, are also noteworthy. — Line to Poitiers, see above. 50 M. Echiri, a country - town where the S'evre-Siortaise is crossed, dominated by the impressive ruins of the Chateau du Couldray-Salbart, built in the 9th century. — 55 M. Siort (p. 18). The Sables -d'Olonne line now makes a great curve and crosses a viaduct 125 ft. high and 850 ft. long, which affords a fine view on the left, of Thouars. The railway ascends nearly to Cerizay and the pasturage of the district grows like that of the Bocage (see below). 16 /. Boute -2. LA ROCHE -SUR- YON. \ 68 M. Coulonges-Thouarsais ; 74 M. I^oirterre, beyond wh,. we rejoin and follow the line from Nantes (Angers) to Poitier noting on the left the tine steeple of Bressuire. 79 M. Bressuire (*Biiffet; Hotel da Dauphin), with 4166inhab., occupies a hill on the left. Like Thouars, it has played a part in the wars with England, and was taken by Bertrand du Guesclin in 1371. It has a very curious Castle of the 12th and 15th cent., half in ruins, half restored, and visible to the right of the via- duct before entering the station. It has two lines of defence with 48 towers. — The church of Notre-Dame belongs chiefly to the 12th and loth cent., and has a steeple finished in the style of the Renaissance. From Bressuire to Niort, 48M., railway in 2-2l/2hrs. (fares, 9fr.45, 7 fr. 5, 5 t'r. 20 c.). — Scenery and .stations generally of little interest. — 91/2 M. Monco^itant, where flax is cultivated and a woollen situfl" made which is called breluche. Farther on the Skvre -Nantaise is crossed. — 31 M. Cotilonges-sur-Autise , with a castle of the 16th century. — 881/2 M. Benet. Line to Velluire , see p. 24. — lU/a M. Coulon, beyond which we cross the Sevre-Niortaise. — 48 M. Mart (p. 18). 89 M. Cerizay , with a modern chateau on the right. We cross the Sevre-Nantaise. — 92^/2 ^1- ^f- Mesmin-le-Vieux. We are now in the Vende'e and in the Bocage district famous in the annals of the Revolution. The land here is divided into square plots, each 5 to 7 acres in area, fenced in by hedges 6 to 10 ft. in height, orna- mented with trees. 97Va M. Pouzauges. The large village, beautifully situated on the slope of a hill, 2V2 M. to the N., boasts of the ruins of a large and picturesque keep of the 13 -14th cent., which once belonged to the famous Gilles de Laval, called 'Bluebeard". In the neigh- bourhood are several interesting castles , picturesque ruins , and fine points of view. 104 M. Chavagnes-les-Eedoux. The line crosses the Grand- Lay on both sides of the station. — 112M. Chantonnay (pop. 4000). The line, which intersects a very hilly tract, makes a wide curve to the left, followed by two cuttings and a viaduct affording a fine view. — Beyond (120 M.) Bottrnezau is a forest. 125 M. La Chaize- le-Vicomte, with 2609 inhabitants. Crossing the Voi we then re- join the line from Nantes to La Rochelle and Bordeaux (K. 4). 133 M. La Roche - sur - Yon , formerly Napole'on and Bourbon- Vende'e (Buffet j Hot. de I' Europe, in tlie Place; Hot. des Voya- geurs , at the station), with 11,773 inhab., the chief town of the department of the Vendee, on a hill washed by the Yon. There was formerly a strong castle here which was a place of importance both in the English and Religious wars. The town having become the chief place of a prefecture. Napoleon I. erected numerous build- dings which are anything but remarkable. It is now a modern town, regularly bnilt and almost without interest. The large Place Napoleon, in the centre, which is reached from the station via the LE8 :>;aBLE8-1>0L0N.NE. 1. Route. 2. IT ■i/Oulevard on the right, and the Kue des Sables, to the left, is adorn- «d with an equestrian bronze Statue of Napoleon I. . by De Nie- erkerke. Here also is the Hotel de Viile. with a garden behind it containing a small museum of paintings and antiquities. On the other side of the Place is the Ch'dcli, the interior of whieh is in good taste and shows some flue modern stained glass. A little farther to the right, in a small square, is the Statue of General, Tracot (1767-1836' paciflcator of tiie Vendee' during the Hundred Days, an indifferent bronze by Maindron. From La Roche-sur-Yon to Xantes and La Rochelle see R. 4. Proceeding from La Roche-sur-Yon we see on the left the statue of Napoleon (see above). Beyond (138' ., M.) Les Clouzeaux, to the right, in the distance, is the Chateau de la Bassetiere. 145 M. La Mothe - Arhftrd : li}[^.,M. Otonne. To the right lie salt marshes- with large heaps of salt, aiul a succession of sand-dunes. 150 -M. Les Sables-d'Olonne. - Hotels. Gra.nu-HiViel i>e la Plage & .Splisi>uid-Hotei. . Hot. du Remblai, Hot. Coitinental. GRAND-Hotel w Casi>o. all on the beach: Hotel he France, du Cheval-Bi.asc, Jovet, in the town. Restaurant. Clialeif de la Plage. — Caf6s. Cafe de la Plage: Orand Ca/i^, Place du Jlinage. near the Heuiblai. Sea-Baths. .Machine and towel 30 c. ; bathing-dress 30 c. Casino, adni. 1 fr.: pei- month .30 !>. Donkeys, iJO c. per hour. British Vice-consul: .1//. T/ttod. Lelievie. Lf" S>iblt;.<-d'Olo)tite is a uuich-frequented sea-bathing place, with a small harbour and 11,070 inhabitants. Its magnificent sandy beach, sloping gently towards the S. and stretching in a semicircle for a distance of about 1 .M., is flanked by a wide esplanade called the Remblai . with a carriage-road and tuimerous handsome villas. The town, however, is badly built, and the church is its only object of interest. To reach the beach from the station we turn to the right, into the Rue de rHotel-de-Ville . and then follow the first street to the left. Carriages turn to the left farther on, at the Church, a Late- Gothic building, with fine vaulting. To the AV. of the Remblai i. e. to the right as we reach the shore, is the Casino, and farther on the narrow Channel leading to the harbour. Beyond the latte. rises the .\vundel Tower, a modern erection with battlements and machicolations, which serves as a light-house. Adjacent are the ruins of a chateau of the same name. Here, too, lies the unim- portant suburb of La Chanine. near which the shore forms a pro- montory bearing a small fort. The Harbour, to the X. . between the town and this suburb, comprises a dry dock, a floating dock, and a graving dock. Near it there are Oy.e.s a marshy district. 6'2 M. Mauzv; lolM.. St. Geuryes-Ju-Bois ; (59', 2-^1- Sur^eres . a small town with a Komaiiesque church of the J2tli cent.; 73 M. Chambvii ; 79 .M. A/f/refeuille. from Aigrefeuille a brancli-line runs to (91 /^jM.) Koche/ort (p. 25), passing Cire, with a 16th cent, chateau. 83 M. La Jarrie. The line describes a wide curve to reach La Rochelle. which is seen in the distance to the right, and joins the Nantes and Bordeaux line (R. 4). 90 M. La Rochelle. Hotels. Hotei. i>k Fkance, Hue Gargouleau 26; Hot. des Etk.vngers. Rue des Trois-JIarteaux 12: Hot. du Commerce, Vlace d".\rmes. — *Restaurant du Palais, Rue du Palais, dej. 21/^ fr. — ('((/eK in the Place d'Armes. — Post and Telegraph Office, Rue du Pafais 12. — Sea -Baths at the Mail (p. 21): Bains de la Concurrence, unpretending; Jlains Louise, similar, for ladies ; Bains du Mail, Bains Richelieu, with hotels, casinos, cafes, etc. — British Vice-consul : Afr. R. .S'. Warburton. — Steam- boat to the He de Re, see p. 23. La Rochelle, a seaport with '28,329 inhab.. a fortress of the second class, and the seat of a bishopric, was the ancient capital of the Pays Aunis, and is now the chief town of the department of tlie Charente Iiife'iieure. It is situated on a bay in the Straits of Aiitioche, sheltered by the islands of 1{^ and Ole'ron. Wliether this town was the Partus Santonum of the Kouiaus is un- certain. It iirst appears in unquestioned history at the end of the 10th cent, under the name of Rupella. Incorporated with England to- gether with Aquitaine , it was permanently restored to France in 1372, after which it enjoyed two centuries of commercial prosperity, brought to an end by the outbreak of the Religious Wars. Protestantism already counted many converts here when Conde and Ooligny made the town their headquarters in 1568. It was the chief stronghold of the Hugue- nots, and tlie cruisers of La Rochelle were well-known in the Atlantic and the English Channel. In 1.572-73 the town successfully withstood a siege of upwards of si.v months. The re-awakening of religions bitter- ness in the reign of Louis XIII. hurried it into fresh contests (1622, 1626, 1627 -2S) in which it was less successful. In the last of these it had taken advantage of the hostilities l)etween France and England, and the latter country despatched more than one expedition to its relief, the cliief of which failed through the blundering of its commander, the Duke of Jiuckingham. Richelieu succeeded in completely investing it. closed the port by a dyke, part of which still e.xists (see below), and. after a siege of 13nionlhs. starved it into surrender. The fall of La Rochelle destroyed the political power of the Huguenots, who never recovered from this blow, Iticheliou. however, did not abuse his victory. In 1809 LA KOCHKf.U:. /. Huuie :i. '21 tlie English made an unsuccessful attempt to destroy tin- French fleet at La Rochelle. The chief articles of the trade of J-a Hoehelle, which suftered greatly from the loss of Canada by France, are timtier, coal, brandy, wine, vinegar, salt, preserved meats, and grain. Fishing is also actively pursued and forms a staple industry. Among famous natives of the town mav be mentioned Ue'aumur (d. 17o7). J'onpland, the naturalist (d. 1858), and .\dmiral Uuperrt- (d. 1846*. From the station tlie town is eiiterefl by tlie Porte de lit Grire Or .^/. Sirlidlns. erpctod in 1857. Tlie fortifications were coiistruct- p(i by Vaiibaii in the reign of Louis XIY.. tlie old works, except those on the seaward side, having been demolished after the siege of IG^T-^S. They form an unbroken line about o'/a M- ii» lengtli. strengthened with bastions, redans, and a hornwork (near the station). The H.\RnovR. a little to tlie left of the entrance to the town, is partly witliin and partly without the walls. Outside are the Outer Uiirhoiir. and a Floathit/ Dock : inside are a Cnreeninii Basin. a [>rf/ Dock, a Canal, and the lienej-voir of Mauhec. the waters of which serve to scour the harbour. — Port de la Pallice. see below. The Coiirs des Darner or Richard . on the other side of the dry- dock, is onibellished with a bronze Statue of .\d7niral Duperre. by P. Herbert. Opposite is the Porte de In (fros-se-IIorloge , the only old gate remaining, a large square tower with round turrets of the 14-1 5th cent., altered in the ITtli and 18th centuries. At the entrance to the dry-dock are two old towers: the Tour SI. Mcolas (1384) to the left, and the Tour de la Chaine (147G) on the right (facing the sea), the first round, the second square with four round turrets. The harbour was formerly closed with a chain, ami the two towers seem to have been united by a Gothic arch under which the ships passed. A little farther on. in a straight line, is the J.antern Tower, built at the same time as the Tour de la riiaine. and deriving its name from having served as a light- house. It is round, flanked by two turrets, and surmounted h\ a stone spire. In the distance, by the Outer Harbour, rises the black and white Richelieu Tou-er . with a bell rung by the waves, which warns vessels of the dyke above mentioned. The dyke itself is seen at low-tide. The Porte de Mer , or I'orte de.'i Deu.r-Monlin.t. near the Lantern Tower, leads to the Outer Harbour and to the littlhinfi-place (p. 20\ the arrangements of which are good, though the bottom is covered with pebbles and shells. Above the bathing- place extends the Mail, a promenade planted with trees and afford- ing a series of fine views. Beyond llie bathing-place, 3 M. from the harbour proper, lies the P<^it tie la Pallice, a new basin or rather harbour, constructed since 1883 in the deep bay ot that name, opposite the He de llt\ When completed it will consist of an outer harbnur and a dock 2300 ft. in length or aliout '29 acres in area, with quavs 5900 ft. in lengtli. and a depth of at least 28 ft. The total cost of tlie works is estimated at 75,000/. At the Porte de la Gros.se-Horloge (see above) begins the wide Rue du I'aiais. flanked, like several others, with arcades. .\t one corner, to the right, is an interesting house, built in 1554. Farther 22 /. fioute 3. LA ROCHELLE. on stand the Bourse and the Paldis de Justice, buildings of the 18th and 17th centuries. The Kiie du Palais is continued by the Kue Chaudvier, from which the Rue des Augustins diverges to the right. In this last, No. 11 , at the end of a court, is the House of Ifeiiri 11.. the most quaint and interesting of the ancient houses of La Rochelle. The C'atheukal (St. Louis or St. Bitrllie'leiny), farther on, at the corner of the Rue Chaudrier and the Place d'Armes, was rebuilt between 1742 and 1862 in the Greek style. Behind it is a Tou-er of the 14th cent., a relic of the original church. The cathedral con- tains modern stained-glass windows and paijitings , among which we may notice the ceiling of the Chapel of the Virgin, in the apse, in the same chapel is the monument of Mgr. Landriot (d. 1874), with a tine marble statue by L. Thomas. The square Place d'Armes, the largest 'place' in the town, ex- tends hence to the W. as far as the ramparts. The Rue Gargouleau, to the E. , leads to tiie Library, which contains about 25,000 vols, and 200 M8S. and is open on Tues., Thurs. , and Sat. afternoons. T\\g Museum, in the same building (open on Sun. & Thurs. from 12 to 4 , and on other days also to strangers), is of little interest, the chief contents being some modern French pictures by A. de Pujol , Antigna, Bouguereau, and Fro- mentin; a painting of the great siege of La Rochelle by Van der Kabel ; and works by Giordano and Vien. The Rue St. Yon, diverging to the right at the end of the Rue Gargouleau, leads to the Motel de Yille, the most interesting building in La Rochelle. It was erected in 1486-1B07, partly in the Gothic and partly in the Renaissance styles, and has lately been restored. Its most remarkable external features are a richly sculp- tured gallery with a parapet, and two projecting belfries with corbels. On the larger, to the left, is a recess with armorial bearings. The facade towards the court, consisting of two distinct parts, is still more interesting. The smaller part, to the left, is of the time of Henri II. and has a modern staircase in front, with a painted statue of that monarch. The ground-floor of the part to the right is formed of an arcade with tine semicircular arches and a sculp- t!ired ceiling. The two upper stories are adorned with four niches containing allegorical statues, between eight tluted columns, a dor- mer window, pediments, and other ornaments of the time ofHenrylV. (1607). Inside is the Council Hall in which Guiton, the mayor and intrepid defender of the town during its blockade by Richelieu, swore to stab any one who should suggest surrender. In tlie iieiij;hl)Oiirlio(Ki (if La Kocliellc are numerous Salt - ^far.<'/lt:.'^ a visit to which is iuteresting. Jlost of them lie just beyond the hornwork mentioned at p. 21. From I. a Kochelle t(t iVante.': and to Kocliefort and liordeaux, see It. 4. 'I'lie He de Hi, alxiut 10 31. to the W. of I,a Roclielle. bat not more llian 2lA.-3)l. from tho little port of /ai /(''pfiiti" (Inn) at tli.i AV. end of CLISSON. /. JloHte 4. %i the I'liadstead, is about IS 31. lung and 2i/o-3 M. wide. It i.s tliiclvly popu- lated (15,557 inhab.) but of little general interest, consisting to a great extent of produetivi' salt-uiarshes. A steamer plies daily from La Kochelle lu Si. Martin-de-Re in ll/4-2hrs. (fares 21/2 <>'• '- fr-, return 33/4 or Sfr.l. Inierinediate station. La Flotte. Or we may proceed by omnibus to (3 31.) I. a l.'epentie (60 c.) and take the steamer thence (four times daily; fare 75 C.I to Ilivedoux, whence another omnibus runs to (5V'> M.) St. iMar- lin (1 fr.). St. Martin-de-IU (Hot. du Bateau a Vapeur) is a small town and purt on the N. side of the island, with 2838 inhabitants. It sull'ered much iu (he English wars; its fortilications are the work iif Vauban. St. 3Iartiu is the depot from whicli convicts are shipped to New Caledonia. The lie iVOUron may also be reached by a steamer from La Rochelle. which calls at BnyavdciUe (21/2 lirs.; 3 or 21/4 fr.): but it is more com- nmnly visited tVom Kocliefort (se(> p. 26). 4. From Nantes to Bordeaux. a. Via Clisson and La Kochelle. 236 M. Kaii.way in 91/4 ■ 12 hrs. (fares 39 fr. 25, 29 fr. 53 , 21 fr. 55 c). The trains start from the Oare de VEtat, but call at the Oare d'OrUans U uiin. later. At Kordeaux they arrive at the Garc Hi. Jean , not at the Care de la Bastide (p. 41). Mantes, see Baedeker's Surthern Fnune. — The line cro.sses Mxeral arms of the Loire, of wliich, as well as of Nantes itself, it affords a striking view. — 4'/2 M- VertoK, a country-town, pictur- esquely situated 1 V4 M. to the right. — 9'/* M. La Haie-Fona.'isiere : VIM. Le Pallet, the birtliplace of Abelard and of Astrolabe . the sou of ileloYse. r.i'jcind it the Sen-e- Simtaise is crossed. — 15 M. Gorges. 17 M. Clisson i Jlohl de /' Euroye), a town with 'il);]i) inhab.. piet- tily situated on .1 liill at the confluence of theSexre tind the Moiiu. The latter river is crossed by a liandsome viaduct. The tow 11 hasaiven it> name to a family of whicii tiie most famous representative wu.s ()li\ier de Clisson. Constable of France (d. 1407,>, one of tlip most distinguislied champions of France iu her wars \\ itli Knaland. The old feudal Castle (13 -loth cent.) and the town itself were destroyed in 1793-94 in the wars of the Vendee, so tltat nothing ainient now remains except tin; interesting and picturesqne ruins (if the castle. On the capture of the latter many of the inhabitants are said to have been thrown alive into the castle- well and left I here to perisli miserably. The town was rebuilt in a somewli:it peculiar style, mainly after the plans of the sculptor Lemot (177;')- I.S'27), the owner of tlie ruins. Both the rivers are bordered with attracti\e "Garennes" or parks, the finer of the two beinir the (lareuin- Lemot. on tiie right hank of the Sevre. while the Carenne \;ileiitin oc.upies both banks of tlie Moine. Krom Clisson a Bi;.^nch K.mi.w.w runs tlirough (he vallev ni [\tv Hivre (11 (2-i 3L) CItolei. — II JI. TorfoH-Tiffaiojex. Titfauges, a ccniutrytown ou ail eminence on tlie left l)ank (if (he river, is dominated b\ the e.vtensive ruins of a Castle of the 1 1th, lith. and 15th cent., wliich belonged to the infamous Oilles de Laval, the original of the )iui-sery hero Blue Beard (Brirbe-Bleue: p. 16). — 163/^31. j;vr>ine.f-Jforta(jiie. Jlortagne is another 24 /. livnte 4. LU^ON. From Nante? little town in a pictiuej-que situation on the right V)ank of the Sevre, possessing a ruined castle. We then quit the valley of the Sevre. — 24 M. Cholei, see Baedeker's Northern France. The train now enters the Vendue, traversing that part of it which is called the Socage (p. 16). — 24 M. Monfaigu-Vendre . a small town, prettily situated on the Maine, which is crossed here, was the birthplace of Lar^veillere- Lepeaux (1753-1824). one of the five members of the Directory. A monnment was erected to him in 1886. - oO'/a M. L'Herberge'menl;AOM. })ellevilIe-Vencle'e. 48 M. La Roche-sur-Yon (see p. 16). 53*/2 M. Se^my ; 61 M. Champ- St. Piie. The hedges separat- ing the fields now disappear and are replaced by trenches. — 06'/2 M. La Bretonniere. 71 M. Lucon {Hotel de la Tefe- Noire, near the cathedral), a town with 6506 inhab. , is the seat of a bishopric which Richelieu held from 1607 to 1624. The Cathedral, an old monastic foundation of the 11th cent., was not finished till the 17th and has been lately restored. The most noteworthy object in the interior is the pulpit, ornamented with paintings. Lucon stands on the X. border of the Karais, a swampy part of the Vendee, which extends in the direction of the Breton Straits as far as the Jiai/ of Aiguillon, with which it communicates hy a canal 9 M. in length. Down to the 6tli cent, of the Christian era tliis district was a gulf, one of the arms of which extended on the E. as far as Niort , wliich is now .S7 M. distant from the sea. The gradual elevation of the district, to which this metamorphosis is due, still continues. The entrance of the gulf, once upwards of 18 W. in widtli. is now not more than 3 M. across. The marshy tracts are drained by innumerable canals. The Marais affords excellent pasturage and contains numerous productive salt-marshes, while near the mouth of the Sevre- Niortaise are extensive 'bouehots', or ■parks' in which mussels and other shell-lish are reared for the markets of La Roehelle. This district and the other marshy regicms fringing the sea-shore beyond it are all more or less unhealthy. 77 M. Nalliers. Beyond (80 M.) Le Lartgon we traverse a corner of the Marais and cross the river Vende'e. 86 M. Vetlnirr. FnoM Velluike to Niokt. 39 M.. railwav in 2i/4-2i/.i hi-s. (fares 5 I'r. 7(1, 4 fr. 30, 3 fr. 15 c). — The second station is (TVa I*' J Fontenay-le-Comte (Jlotel de France), a venerable town with 10,164 inhab., situated on a hiU on the right bank of the Vendee, which here becomes navigable. It suffered greatly during the Religious and Vendean viars . and almost all traces of its strongly fortified castle have disappeared. The churches of Notre-Dain^ and St. Jean have each a fine Gothic spire. The town also possesses a handsome Kenaissance Fonntain and some interesting old houses. At (201/., 51.1 Benet we join the Bressuire line (p. 161. — 29 M. Niort (p. 18). 88 M. VV.r. The large village of this name lies 2'/4 M. to the left, on a hill . which was formerly an island in the gnlf (see above), as was also (93 M.) L' Ile-d' Elle . beyond which we cross the Shrre- Siortaise. On this river stands (97 M.) Marans . a well-built little town with a large grain trade. At (102 M.) .A)u1ilhi-Sf. Oiien we quit the Marais, and farther on we skirt tlie Niorf and La RochelU Canal, which passes through a tunnel at(107' oM.) Dompierre-mir- Mer. the next station. To the left lie exterisi\e salt-marshes. to Bordeaux. ROCHKFORT. /. Ronfe 4. 1^ 112M. LaKochelle ip. 'iO; Buffet). Line to Poitiers, see R. ?>. The direct line to Rochefort and Bordeaux now skirts for a con- siderable distance the Pertuh or Strnl/s of Aiitioche. bounded bv tlie He de \U on tlie N. and the He d't)l^ron'on the S.W. — II5V2 ^1- AnqmiUn.'f; HTM. Ch/ifelaillon (Hot.des Bains), a small sea-bathing resort. The ocean is steadily encroaching on the land here, and has already engulfed the two towns of Montnieillan and Chatelaillon. To the right, between the mainland ami the He d'01(?ron. is the small lie d'Ai.v (o-V4M. in length and I M. in breadth), which is for- tified. — 121 M. Le Motouillet. 125 M. Sf. Lnurent-de-la-Pre'e. A branch-railway runs hence to (8^/4 M.) Fouvas (Ocean), a sea-bathing place at the mouth "of the Charente. with a castle of the 14th century. At (120 M.^ Chnrvaa the train crosses the canal of that name. 130 jM. Kochefort i Buffet : Hotel de Fi-nnre, Rue du Ilempart: Hotel de In liovhelle . Rue Chan/.y: Grand Bacha . Rue des Fon- deries; Cuft Frunc-ais . Place Colbert), a town and fortress with 31.256 inhab.. situated on the right bank of the Charente. 9 M. from the sea, is a modern and regularly built place, containing little to interest the traveller. It possesses a naval as well as a commercial harbour, which, like the town itself, were first established by Colbert in 1666. The ua\al harbour and its \ast arsenal are the "lions" of Roche- fort. To reach the entrance, which is near the end farthest from the station, we turn to the right on entering the fortifications and follow the Hue du Rempart and the Rue Thiers to the Rue de I'Ar- senal. Or we may follow the Rue Begou in a .straight direction, and then turn to the right into the Rue La Touche-Tr^ville. whence the Rue Chanzy leads to the Rue de I'Arsenal. Between the Rue Thiers and the Rue Chanzy are the Lyreuui and Churrh of St. Louis, two modern buildings , the latter containing some fine stained-glass windows, .\djaceiit is the Blare Colbert . the centre of the town, with a fountain. The '^Avgena.l and the Dorki/nrd cannot be visited without per- mission, to be obtained between 8.30 and 9.30 a. ra. or between 1 and 2 p. m. at the Majorite, to the right of the Porte du Soleil, the prin- cipal entrance, at the end of the Rue de lArseual. This iiennissiiin is easily (ibtained and travellers are generally re- quested to .join (ine of the groups of visitoi's waiting at the gate. It is, however, belter to try to go alone or at least not in too large a party. Small fee to the guide customary, thougli of/lcially forbidden. The visit takes at least 2 hours. The departments are not always taken in the same order, and some of the magazines anil workshops are not shown. The Porte du Soleil \s a handsome structure in the form of a triumphal arch. To the right are the O/Zicfs . eighteen Buildiufi Slips, for vessels of the first rank, an interesting Model Boom, several Store Houses, the Sail and Bififiinfi Workshops, etc. To the left are Uej>airing and Graritui Docks, Anchors (some of which weigh from 5 to 6 tons). Projectiles. Torpedos. Cannon, and •2() J. lioule 4. (JLEHON. Fioin Nantes a large Salle d'Aimes. e>ses the leiuaius of several structures erected at that period. Leaving the station we turn flrst to the left and then to the right, and follow the Avenue Gambetta, crossing a suburb in which, within a barrack-yard , stands the old and interesting monastic church of Sotre-Dame, dating from the 1 1 - 12th cent., but now in a dila- pidated (londition and no longer used for service. Over the crossing rises a line steeple, composed of a square tower, with three arcades on each face, which is surmounted by a drum with twelve double arcades, the whole ending in a conical roof Avith fish-scale orna- mentation. The church of St. Palais, also at the entrance t'l the barracks, with its main entrance concealed by a porch . dates from the 12-13th centuries. The town proper is entered by a stone bridge . to the left of which is a marble statue, by F. Talhuet (1868), of Bernard I'n- lisay, who was born at Saintes in 1510. The old Roman bridge, which formerly crossed the river here, was pulled down in 1844; and the Triumphal Arrh whicli stood upon it was removed and re-erected lower down, among the trees. The arch, erected in the reign of Augustus in honour of Germanicus, consists of two semi- circular archways, each IrJ ft. in span, and is decorated with pi- lasters and engaged columns with Corinthian capitals. On the other side of the bridge begins the Cours National, the principal street of the town. The Rue (lAlsace-Lorraine, on the left, leads to the old cathedral, the great tower of which is con- spicuous. On the way to it we pass, on the right, the Old Hotel de Ville, a Renaissance building with a small tower, containing the Publir Library and a small Museum of Antiquities. The Church of St. Pierre, tlie ancient cathedral, is supposed to have been founded by Charlemagne, but it has been twice rebuilt, and dates in its present form from the end of the I6th century. The tower, however, with the exception of the cupola at tlie top, is a remnant of tlie second building. . 30, .3fr. 15 c). — From (231/.. M.) Saiijon. the .sixth station, a town with 3290inhab., on {\\e Seudre, a l>rancli-Iine runs to (13iA> M.) Aa Tretn- hlade . a small town siUTOunded by sall-niai-shes and sand-diine.s , and In (I.'jM.) La Grive, its port, on tlie Seiidre, laeinsr Maiennes (p. 26) and nfit I'ai' from the Straits of Maumiisson (p. 26). — 29 M. Roi/an, see p. T)."). 177'/2!^^- Mo^nar; 180 M. CUon-xiir-Seii(jne. ISSV'a M. Jonzac [Ecu), a town with 3237 inhab., on the Seugne. •with a castle of the 14-18th centuries. — 189 M. Fontalne-Ozillac ; 192 M. Tiiqcrnf- Chart itzar . in a barren sandv district. 197 M. to JiordeoK.,: NOIUMOUTIEUS. /. lio'Ue i. 'I'd Moitfendie . a couiitiy-towii situated on a liill to the right . with a ivstored keep of the 12th cent.; 205 M. I{i(s,iar. From (208 M.) St. \/'///e/(s (BiifTet) a branch-line runs to (10'/2 M.) Blaye (p. 54). Beyond i210 M.) Cariifitnc the line to Coutras (p. !!» diverges to the left. 214 M. (iaiiiiayuef; 217 M. St. Aato/ne: 219 M. St. Andit-de-Cubzac. a small industrial town with a liandsonie modern chateau. Beyond i220 M.) Cnb-dc-les- Fonts the train tra- verses a viaduct. I';'* ^I. in length, including a *Bridge over the Donloyite. ()20 yds. long anil 72 ft. high. The piers on the banks of the river go down 95 ft. below high-water mark and 75 ft. below the liver-bed. The line from Paris to liordeaux also passes near this point, to the left, crossing the river by a splendid iron U'idge nearly 1 M. long, wliich replaces a suspension-bridge, partly destroyed by a hurricane in 1870. The Dordogne joins the Garonne a little way to the right, at the Bee d'Ambes (p. 54), and the two together form tiie Gironde. The tra(;t between the Dordogne and the Garonne is known as E)itie-dei(.i- Mei:<. — 22a' ■> M. .\-nibai-i<. Joining the line from Paris to Bordeaux (p. 12) we pass Lor- iiKjtit and cross the Garonne by the bridge mentioned on p. 12, ob- taining a tine view on the right of Bordeaux and its harbour. 2o(j M. Bovdeiiu.r \Gare Sf. Jean), see p. 41. b. Via Challans and La Rochelle. 236 M. l!\iiAv.\Y in IOS/4-II hrs. (fares same as via Clisson). The trains start fruui the Gave d' Orleans, but stop also at the Gare de VEtat. Arrival at tlie Gare St. Jean, p. 41. Santex. see Baedekei'-< Sorthein Fiance. — The train crosses several arms of the Loire. ?)^!^ M. Pont -Rousseau; 4*/2 M. Les Lande.i; 5', .> ^I- HoHfiueniih; 9 M. Bouaye. To the left is the Lac de Grand-Lieu, in form almost oval, 5'/2 M. long by 'd*/^M. wide, but very shallow, in the midst of meadows wiiich it overtlows in winter. — 13 M. Fort-St. Fere. .\t (16^/4 M.) Ste. Fazanne the line to Paimba-uf and Pornic ili verges on the right isee Baedeker'.'* Sortheru France). 25V2 M. Machecoxl. Near (30 .M.) Buis-de-Ce'm' we enter the Vendue. — 33'/., M. La Garnache. 37 AI. Challann, a small commercial town. .V UiLiGBNCE plies li-oni Challans t(i (25 M.) Xuiruimitic rs (0I/3 tV.I, passing (II JI.) Beauvoir-sur-Mer. — Tlie Hat and sandy Island ofNoir- moutiers, o'/s ^f- fruni Heauvoir, is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel ('2 M.) wliich is dry at l(jvv tide. The greater part of its siirlace is beluw the level of high tides and requires to be protected by dylics , but tlierc are .some picturesque rocks at its N. end. It is 11 )I. long and 4 31. wide at the widest part, and contains some leriile ground and several salt-niarslifs. In 1793-94 the possession of the island wa* vigorously disputed by the V'endeans and tlie Republicans , and it was here that U'EHxie, the commander-in-chief of the former, was taken and shot. NnirmouUers (Hi'itel du Lion-d'Or), the chief town of the island, has •iltK) inhab. and a small fortress. About I1/4 M. to the N.E. is the sea- 30 /. llvvfe 5. SOLOGNE. From Orleans bathing resort of La Chaise, near which are woods of pines and evergreen oaks. La Chaise is only 10 51. distant from Pornic (see Baedeker's Nor- thern France), which lies opposite it, on the mainland. 41 M. SoiiUans; 44'/., M. Commequlers, a large village with a castle, a menhir, and two dolmens. A branch-railway runs hence to (8 >!.)»?<. Gilles-sur-Vie, a small seaport and bathing-place. Opposite is Croix-de-Vie, a small fishing-port. The lie d'Yeu or l)ieu, a small fortified island, 6 M. long and 21/2 M. broad, with 3132 inhab., lies 18 M. from the mainland and is generally approached from St. G-illes. The coast is very rocky in the W., but easily accessible on the E. where lies the harbour of Port Joinville. The chief town is »S<. Sauveiir, in the centre ond (421/, M.) Theillay. the train passes through a tunnel 1345 yds. long, with 34 air-shafts, and traverses the Forest of Vierzon. 49 M. Vierzon {Bufi'ef) . an industrial town of 10.314 inhab., situated on the Cher and the Canal du Berry. From Vikiizon to Tours, 70 M.. railway in 2i/-j-3J/i hrs. (fares 13 fr. 40, 10 fr. 5. 7 fr. 30 c). This line (for details^ see Baedeker's Northern France) descends the vallev of the Cher. Best views to the left. — 10 M. Mennetou- stir-Clier, with ramparts of the 13th century. — From (lol/o M.) Ville- franche-aiir-Cher a branch -line runs to Blois, passing (5 M.) Jiomoraniin, a town of 7600 inhabitants. — 35 31. fit. Aignan, a little town. IV4 M. tu the S., with a chateau of the 13-16th centuries. — 4(i M. Monirichard, a small town, with a line church of the 13th century. Keyond it. to the left, is the Chateau I'f Chenonceaux. 50 M. Chenonceaux (Hotel du Bon - Laboureui-) , a village with a cele- brated •Chate.vv, in the Gothic and Renaissance styles, built on piles in the bed of the Cher. To reach the latter, we pass through the village which is 1/^ M. from the station (omnibus). Beyond the first court we reach a Keej) of the loth cent. , where we should apply for admission. The chief facade, dating from the beginning of the I6th cent., is elabo- rately and tastefully ornamented. The most interesting parts of the interior are the Dining Hall and the Chapel., on the ground -floor, and the Manager's Office and the Kitchen in two large piers of the bridge. A less ancient Bridge supports a building of two stories and very sin- gular appearance erected by Diana of Poitiers at a somewhat later date. The second story is to be fitted up as a picture gallery. 661/3 M. St. Pierre-des-Corps, where we join the Orle'ans line. — 70 M. Tows (see Baedeker's Northern France). We now leave the Bourges line (R. 32) oa the left and cross the Cher and then the Arnon. 58V2 '^I- Chery. Among the numerous chateaux seen on the right the most striking is that of La Ferfr- Renilly (17th cent.), beyond (61 M.) Reuilly. The line now follows the valley of the The'ols to (67 M.) Sfe. IJznigne. 71 M. Issoudun (Hotel de France), a town of 15,231 inhab., situated on a declivity to the left, and surrounded by vineyards. The town sustained several sieges by the English in the Middle Ages and one by the army of the Fronde in 1651, which have left very few of its houses standing. In the garden of the Hotel de Ville is the Tovr Blanche, a keep of the beginning of the 12th cent., 88ft. high. Notre- Dame-dif-Sacre-Coeur . a little farther on, is a modern and tasteless Gothic building (closed). 79 M. Neitry-raiUoiix. Before reaching Cliateauroux, we cros.s the Indre. To the right are the fine towers of D^ols (p. 32) and Chateauroux. 88 M. Chiteauroux (Hotel de France . Rue Victor-Hugo : Hotfl ! and chateau. To the right is the steeple of Beaulieu (see below). 44 M. Loches (llvtel de la Promenade)^ a town with 5141 inhab. , pic- turesquely situated on the left bank of the Indre, possesses a celebrated castle, the ancestral home of the Plantagenets. At the entrance to the town rises the Tower of St. Antoiite, a fine remnant of a 16th cent, church. Following the Kue de la Grenouillere in a straight direction, we see on the left the Porte Picoi/.i., an erection of the 15th cent., through which we pass to the Hotel de Ville, a pleasing building in the Renais- sance style. Farther on, to the right, is the Eue du Chateau, containing some interesting houses of the Renaissance period. The castle, which had a fortified enceinte of about IV4 M. in extent, resembles a little town. The first street on the left leads to the collegiate *Chukch of St. Ours, a very interesting relic of the 12th century. The nave consists of two square divisions, divided by a plain Gothic arch, and each surmounted by a lofty octagonal cupola without windows. The Romanesque W. doorway is richly moulded and sculptured , and under the porch in front of it is a holy-water basin made out of an old altar, also adorned with sculpture.*. Adjoining the church is the Royal Palace, a building of the 15-16tli cent., with a tine facade, now the Sous-Pre'fec- tiire. In one of the towers of the facade is the Monument of Agnes Sorel (A. 1450), mistress of Charles VII., formerly in the church, and in another part of the palace is the pretty Oratory of Anne of Bretugne (d. 1514), wife of Charles VIII. and of Louis XII. — The ancient *Keep or Donjon, at the other end of the enceinte , is the most interesting part of the upper town. To the left, on entering, is the Keep proper, a rectangular tower of the 12th cent., 82 ft. long, 46 ft. wide, and 130 ft. high, of which the walls alone remain. To the right of the keep is the Martelet, in one of the dungeons in which Lodovieo Sforza, Duke of Milan (d. 1510), was imprisoned for nine years by Louis XII.; it contains some inscriptions and his portrait done by himself. Still more to the right is the Round iir New Tower, which contained the famous iron cages in which Louis XI. confined Cardinal de la lialue, the inventor, the historian Philip de Com- ines, etc. — In the street below, by the side of the Indre, near the tower of St. Antoine, stands the Porte des Cordeliers, of the 15th century. On the opposite bank of the river is Beaulieu, with its fine Romanesque abbey-church. 561/2 M. Cormery, with a fine spire. — 63 M. Montbazon, dominated hy the huge keep of a castle which dates back to the 11th century. On the top is a modern statue of the Virgin. — 691/2 BI. Joui-Ves- Totirs (p. 12). — 73 M. Tours (see Baedeker's Northern France). From Chateaurou.x to MoNTLUfON, 65 M., railway in 31/4-4 Iirs. (fares 13 fr., 9 fr. 65, 7 fr. 5 c.). — Ascending the valley of the Indre we reach (8 M.) Ardenies. a little village to the right, with a partly Romanesque church. — 15 M. Mers, then, JV^o/ifln^ with a chateau formerly inhabited by George Sand (see below). 22 M. La Chatre ('^ Hotel St. Germain or Descrosses ^ Rue Nationale), a commercial and industrial town with 5215 inhab., on the left bank of the Indre. In a square 1/2 I*'- from the station is a fine marble Statue of George Sand, the famous authoress (Raroness Dudevant, 1804-76), by A. Millet. Proceeding thence to the left, we reach the Church, whicli contains some fine modern glass and a painting by Helm. To the left, bevond the church, is a square Tower, a relic of the chateau of La ("hatre, and farther on lies the fine Promenade de VAbbaye, overlooking the valley. Beyond La Chatre, on the right, we pass the Ch&teau de la Motte- Feuilly , which dates from the 12th century. We then quit the valley Raedeker. Southern France. 3 34 I. Route 5. ARGENTON. From Orleans and asceud towards a plateau where chestnuts are extensively grown. — 31 M. Champillet -Ureters , a large station where a new branch -line to (231/2 M.) Lavaud-Franche (p. 225), via (20 M.) Boussac , diverges on the right. — 351/2 M. Chdteaumeillant, a town with 3866 inhab., with an inter- esting chateau and church, situated in a finely wooded district. Beyond (42 M.) Culan , (0 the left, is a small lake. The train then crosses two viaducts, the second of which is very high. — 481/2 M. St. Disiri, with a noteworthy Romanesque church (to the left); 51 1/2 M. Cour^ais. Ex- tensive view to the left. Farther on, in tlie valley of the Cher, we join first the Bourges, then the Gue'ret line. — 65 M. 3fontlugon, see p. 225. 95V2 M. Litont , in the Brenne, a district in parts marshy and sterile. Beyond (99 M.) Lofhiers the train passes through some cuttings and a tunnel ^/^ M. long and crosses a viaduct . which affords a striking view of the valley of the Bouzanne, which we soon cross, and of the magnificent 15th cent, chateau of (104 M.) Chabenet. IO7V2M. Argenton (Bnffet; Hotel de la Promenade) , a little town on the Creiise, the Argentomagits of the Romans. Of its castle, destroyed after the war of the Fronde, only a few scanty remains are now extant. — Branch-line to Le Blanc and (76 M.) Poitiers see p. 7. About 11/4 M. to the N. is St. Marcel, a small a town of 2747 inhab.. formerly walled, with an interesting church of the Transition period. — In the pretty Valley of the Bouzanne, which is traversed by the road from Argenton to Chateauroux via St. Marcel, about 4 M. from the latter town, are several castles, some in ruins, but others still inhabited. About 1/2 M. below the road, on the right bank, is the Castle of Rocherolles. At the same distance above the road, also on the right bank, are the ruins of Prunget ; II/4 M. farther on, on the left bank, are those of Mazieres, on the site of a Celtic -Roman town. Still farther on, on the right bank, are the castles of Broutay (2 M.) and Plessis (i/o M.). The Valley of the Creuse, above Argenton, also displays some fine scener\ The village of Gargilesse, 71/2 M. from Argenton, possesses a Transition church, with a fine crypt, wall-paintings of the 13th cent. , and a curious old tomb. Adjacent is a ruined castle. About 2 M. to the W., on the left bank of the Creuse, are the remains of the castle oi La Prune-au-Pot. Near (llS'/aM.) Ce'lon, to the right we see an old castle with machicolated towers. — 120 M. Egnzon. About 21/2 M. to the N., on a steep hill, on the right bank of the Creuse. are the interesting ruins of the castle of CMteaubrun, which date in part from tlie 13th century. The keep commands a fine view. About 4 M. to the S. of Eguzon, on a rugged and sheer promontory, at the eonlluence of the Sidelle and the Creuse, stands the ruined castle of Crozant (adm. , 50 c.), a mediwval fortress the history of which is almost unknown. The keep is an utter ruin, but there still remain several massive towers, with interesting features. From (125 M.) St. Se'bastien . a branch-line runs to (28'/2 M.) Gueret (p. 226). — 129 M. Forgevieille. 136*/2 M- ^a. Souterraine, a town with 4929 inhab., still possess- ing a fortifleil gate of the i6th cent, and a very interesting Roman- esque and Gothic church. In the cemetery is a Lanterne des Marts, a kind of tower in which a lamp was formerly kept burning through tlie night. We next pass through a tunnel, ^3 M. long, piercing the granite ■■1 4^e- 4^ p, ^^ .reil^a^T* CJemtrferr. ^ Place d05?'OTS^?*'""« «.>^-V\- J' ,<''^ * '■ w.^ 5 •»>-** l> Carnat'% Camat- >, -^ rfcVtlle IIAU-Uo I"'' flu Ja.rdinsfe 'Si L I M O G g S 1:16,600 3letres jPrrifeu tng /Tn ulOTise D \\'a^Kr<.T)cbes,Leipii) to Buideaitx. LIMOGES. /. lioute 5. 30 Tvis, well spoken of, R. Si A. 2, omn. l/o (r. Cafes. De la Paix and de la Boule d'Or, adjoining the hotels of those name.s. Cab fnr 1-2 pers., per drive t fr. , per br. li/o fr. : for 3-4 pers. II/2 or 2 fr. : at night I1/4- 2, or 21/2 fr. — Tramways traverse the Boulevards. Post and Telegraph Office (Pl.B. 3), Boulevard de la Pyramide 7. American Consular Agent : Afr. Walter T. Griffen. LiiniHieg, the ancient capital of the Limousin, now the chief town of the department of the Haute Vienne, the headquarters of the 4th Army Corps, and the seat of a bishopric, rises in the form of an amphitheatre from the right bank of the Vienne. Pop. 68,477. Although the town has been greatly improved since its for tiflcations were demolished in the last century, especially of late years, during which its population has more than doubled , the older quarters still contain numerous narrow, crowded, and tortuous streets, impracticable for carriages and unfavourable to health. Many old timber-built houses still exist. At the time of the Roman conquest this town was the capital of 3* 36 /. noute 5. LIMOGES. Fiom Orleans tlie Lemovices^ a powerful Gallic tribe, able to send 10,000 men to the succour of Alesia. After its incorporation with the Roman empire it had a senate and abounded in fine buildings, such as temples, theatres, palaces, public batlis, etc., of which, however, scarcely any trace remains. St. Jlar- tial, the patron-saint of the Limousin, first preached the Gospel here. The town preserved a part of its importance down to the Middle Ages, but unfortunately it formed two distinct towns, often at rivalry with each other, and it sulTered much during the English wars, especially in 1.370, when it was taken and sacked. The Religious Wars, plague, and famine desolated it afresh in the 16th cent., and in 1630-31 it again sull'ered from a terrible visitation of tlie plague. Under the administration of Turgot (d. 1781) it began to revive, but a terrible fire consumed nearly 200 of its houses in 1790. Of the numerous other fires from which it has suft'ered the most disastrous was that of 1864. Limoges is well known as the birthplace of the greatest master.s in the art of enamelling, which seems to have flourished here as early as the 12th cent, and reached its culminating period in the second half of the 16th century. The most famous masters were Nardon Penicaiid, Leonard Limoiisin, Jean and Pierre Conrtays, and Pierre Reymond. At the present day the porcelain of Limoges is highly prized, and the kaolin, or china-clay, found in the neighbourhood is exported to America and other countries. Admission is easily obtained to one of the numerous porcelain manufactories in the town , which employ about 5000 workmen and produce about 20 million pieces a year. Limoges has also thread and textile manufactories, large shoe and saliot-making workshops, etc. The Gare cles B^ii^dictins or d'Orl^ans (Pi. D, 2, 3) is in the lower part of the town, near the Place Jourdan and the cathedral. On the right, above it, is the Cliamp-de-JuHlet (PI. C, 2, 3), a large .square, to the N. and W. of wliiidi lies an extensive modern quarter. The Place Jourdan (PI. 0,3,4) is adorned with a bronze Sfitfiie of Marshal Jourdan, A native of Limoges (1762-1838), by Elias Robert. The first street to the left and its rontinuation lead hence to the — *Cathei>eal of St. Etienne (PI. L),4), the most important and interesting building in the district, only recently completed. It occupies the site of a Romanesque church, of which the crypt (see below) still exists. Tlie foundation dates from 1273; the choir was finished in 1327: the S. portal a little later; the N. portal and two bays of the nave in the latter half of the loth century. The remain- der of the building is partly of the ir)th cent, and partly modern. To the left of the main portal, recently completed, is an octagonal Spire (200 ft.) rising in three stages from a square and massive lower story. It is partly Romanesque and partly Gothic in style and is surmounted witli turrets. The A'. Kntrnnre is very rich in ornamentation, but has no statues. The Inteiuor presents a very imposing appearance, lieneath the organ is a magnificent Rood Lofl, executed in 1533 and placed here in 1789. Its ornamentation, whicli is of the utmost delicacy, includes, curiously enough, six bas-reliefs representing the Labours of Hercules. Some of the Stained - Glass Wiiuloios date from the 14th cent., but have been restored in the 16th cent, and again more recently. In the choir are the interesting, though somewhat dilapidated. Tombs of three bishops; to the right is the tomb of Raynaud de la I'orte (d. 1325); to the left those of Hernard Rrun (d. 1349), and .lean de Lanjeac (d. 1541). The last lias lost its bronze statue, but retains fourteen bas-reliefs represent- ing the visions of the Apocalypse. — Tlie Cri/jH , under the choir, eon- to Bordeaux. LIMOGES. /. lioitfe 5. 37 tains Frescoes of the 11th cent, and others less ancient. — In tlie Sacristy are some magnificent Enamels by Noel Laudin. The streets to the W. of the cathedral lead to the *Hdtel. fie Ville (PLC, 5), a flue structure in the Ueuaissaiice style, built in 1878-1881 by Alfons Leclerc. The Museum of Painting and Sculpture installed here is not very important though it contains some interesting antiquities. The Boulevard Gambetta, which ascends hence to the W., marks the limits of the aiuient town. We regain the inner town by one of the streets opposite the Hotel de Ville. The church of .S^ Michel (PI. B, 4), the spire of which, surmounted by a ball of disproportionate size, the visitor will have noticed on arriving, is of the 14-15tli cent., with nave and aisles of equal height and width. It contains some stained-glass windows and modern paintings. To the W. of this church in the Place d'Aine (PI. A, 4) with the Palais de Justice. This building and the Place d'Orsay. behind it. occupy the site of the Roman amphitheatre. Adjacent, to theN., lies the extensive Place duChamp-de-Foire. on the other side of wliich stands an old hospice, containing pro- visionally the Mus6e C6ramique (PI. A, 3), one of the chief objects of interest in Limoges, now belonging to the State. It is open to the public on Sun. and Thurs. from noon till 4 or 5 o'clock , and to strangers on other days also. It occupies five rooms and consists mainly of a collection of porcelain and modern fayence, in which the ware of Limoges itself is represented to great advantage. Among the superb and valuable specimens is a service of Limoges porce- lain, which is said to have cost the donor 28.000 L The third room contains old Limoges biscuit-ware and enamels. In the middle of the fourth room is a glass case containing old Limoges *Enamels (Ecce Homo, Crucifix, Adam and Eve, St. Martial), a crosier, a Byzantine cross, glazed vvai-e, ancient terracottas, etc. The fifth room is devoted to private collections of pottery that have been bequeathed to the museum. — A special building is to be erected for the museum. The Rue Turgot. to the E. of the Place du Champ-de-Foire, leads back to the Place Jourdan, passing near the Place de la liepubliquc (Pl.B. C, 3,4). on the S. side of which stands the Theatre (PI. B,4). The Church of St. Peter {St. Pierre ; PI. C, 4), in the Rue Porte Tourny, to the S. of the Place de la R^publique, dating chiefly from the 13th cent., is of irregular shape, with nave and double aisles all of the same height. At the end it terminates in a flat wall. The interior contains at the E. end a fine stained-glass window of the 16th cent, by Penicaud , representing the Death atid Coronation «f the Virgin (to the right) , and some good modern windows by Oudinot. To the S. of this church . in the Rue du College, is the Lyce'e 38 7. Route 5. THIVIERS. From Orleans (PI. C, 4), dating substantially from the ITth and 18th centuries. Tlle^ chapel contains an Assumption ascribed to Rubens. An interesting excursion may be made from Limoges to the Castle cif Chalusset and to Solignac (earr. there and back about 15 fr. ; railway in progress). The road to (91/4^) the castle leads via (6M.) Le Vigen, before reaching which we see the ruins in the distance. The Castle of Chalusset, the ancient re.sidence of the Viscounts of Limoges, was built in the 12th and 13th cent. , but was dismantled in 1593 during the Religious Wars. Its triple walls were about 65 ft. in height. Two donjon towers and other parts of the stronghold are still standing. — To reach Solignac we return to Le Vigen and proceed thence to the W. for 2/3 31. The small town of •Solignac was formerly the seat of a celebrated Benedictine abbey, founded in the 7th cent., rebuilt in the 18th, and now transformed into a porcelain manufactory. The interesting *Church of the 12th cent, has a dome-vaulted nave, and fine 15th cent, stalls. From Limoges to Angouleme , see p. 11; to Le Dorat and Poitiers, see p. 7; to Piriguetix, see below; to Toulouse, see K. 12. From Limoges to Ussel f Clermont-Ferrand), 71 M., railway in 33/4-'ihrs. (fares 13 fr. 55, 10 fr. 30, 7 fr. 45 c). — The train starts from the Gare de Montjovis (p. 35) and ascends the valley of the Viemie. 3'V4 M. Puy-lmbert (p. 36). 151/2 M. at. Leonard (Boule d'Or), an old industrial town of 6038 inhab., was the birthplace of Gay-Lussac, the celebrated e.xperimental philosopher (1778-18.50). It has a Romanesque church of the 11 -12th centuries. — 32 M. Kymoutiers (Hot. Pinton), a busy little town on the Vienne. About 3 M. to the S. W. of (45 V2 M.) Viam is the Saut de la Virole , a very fine cascade formed by the V^zkre. — The railway now crosses the Vezere, and attains its highest level (3015 ft.). — At (63 M.) Meymac we join the line from Tulle to Clermont-Ferrand. 71 M. Ussel, see p. 246. II. From Limoges to Bordeaux vi4 P6rigueux. Railway to Pn-igneux, 611/:; IL In 2-2:V4 hrs. (fares 12 fr. 30, 9 fr. 15, 6 fr. 70 c.); from Perigueu.x to Bordeaux, 79 W. in 3-5 lirs. (fares 15 fr. 70, 11 fr. 80, 8 fr. 55 c). The line passes under the town by a tunnel 1115 yds. in lengtli. 7 M. Beynac ; 12V2 M. Xc,ro», a place of 3130 inhab., with a church of the r2th and 15th and a chateau of the 16th century. Line to Toulouse, see R. 12. — 17Va ^^- Lafarge. Fine view to the left. From (23V2 M.) Bussiere-Galant a branch-line diverges to Saillat (p. 11). Beyond (30 M.) La CoquiUe we traverse moorland and pass through a short tunnel. 38V2 M. Thiviers (Hotel Lambert), a small and prettily situated commercial town (pop. 3625) , witli a Romanesque church of the, 12th cent, and the tine Chateau de Vurocour , in the lienaissancii^ style. A branch-line is being constructed from Thiviers to (49 M.) Hrive, in continuation of that from Angouleme via Nontron (p. lO). This line will pass (I2V2 M. ; diligence from Thiviers) Krcideuil, with a chateau of the Talleyrand-Perigord family (13-16th cent.), now more or less in ruins. Ilautefort, 8 M. farther on, has also a chateau of the 16-17th centuries. — Brive, see p. 92. After passing through another tunnel we reacli (45 M.) Nt'grondes and (51 V2 M.) Agonar , the latter witli a Jxomanesqtie-Byzantiiie cliurch. — 56 M. Chatenu-V Ereque, so named from its chateau, a building of the 14th cent., which was once the residence of the bishops of Perigueux. i'-^J-' i-'"- t^.i- ■^Jt r^S, ''-' ,^5>: ...1 „..,. , ]:->■ j^.t. g-i/j. *iiVEKs (Pl.b; D, 3), Rue de Bor- deaux, R. ll/o, dej. 21/2 fr. -, Hotel i)U Perigord (PI. e-,E, 1), Place du Palais-de-Justfee; Hotel du Commerce, Place du Quatre- Septembre (PI. D.2). — -^Buffet. — Cafes in the Place Bugeaud and Cours Michel -Mon- taigne. — Perigueux is noted for its pate's of partridge and truffles CPerigord pies'). Perigueux. the capital of the department of the Dordogne. is a town with 29,611 inhab.. conspicuously situated on the right bank of the Isle. It is the ancient \'e.mna, the capital of the Petrocorii, or rather it has taken the place of that town , which was situated farther to the S. . to the left of the station. To the right , on the high ground , is the modern town , Le Puy St. Fruut , and below lies the Cite', or media;val town. Under the Romans Vesuna en- joyed considerable prosperity, and it became the capital of the cou'itship of Pe'tigord in the time of Charlemagne. The English besieged it three times but did not take it till 1356. It was after- wards sacked by the Huguenots, who occupied it from 1575 to 1581. Turning to the right at the station and following the Rue Papin, and then following to the left the Rue des Mobiles-de-Coulmiers and the Rue de Bordeaux, we reach the Place Bugeaud (Pl.B.I), which is adorned with a bronze statue of Marshal Bugeaud (1794- 1849), a native of Perigord, by Dumont. A few paces to the right is the Place Francheville (p. 40); to the left, the Cours Michel- Montaigne (p. 40). The Rue Taillefer leads in a straight direction to the old Place Marcillac (PI. E.2) and (left) to the ~ *Cathkur.vl ok St. Fboxt (PI. F, 2), an old abbey-church dedi- cated to the patron -saint of P(5rigord. The entrance is on the N. side. This church was formerly one of the most remarkable in France, but the restoration, or rather reconstruction, which has been going on since 1865 and is now nearly completed, has seriously disfigured it and deprived it of much of its interest. Thoroughly Byzantine in design, presenting the form of a Greek cross with cu- polas, but having slightly pointed arches instead of round ones in the arcades below, it was looked upon as the first church in which the pointed arch had been systematically introduced. Now, how- ever, the pointed arches have almost throughout been replaced by semicircular arches, so that St. Front resembles, still more than before, St. Mark's at Venice, with which it is contemporary 40 /. linute 5. PERIGUEUX. From Orleans (984-1047; St. Mark's , 976-1071). It does not, however, rival that church ill lightness ami richness of ornamentation. The interior measures 184 ft. both ways, and its five cupolas, resting on pendent- ives and carved square piers , are about 90 ft. in internal heiglit. In the S. transept is the monument of Mgr. G. Massonais (d. 1860). Adjoining the cathedral on the W. are the remains of a basi- lica of the 6th cent., above which rises a curious *Tower, 197 ft. liigh, the oldest in Fraiice and said to be the only one extant in tlie Byzantine style. It dates from the beginning of the 11th cent., but has undergone some modifications. It is now being thoroughly restored , not to say reconstructed. It is composed of two square stories (the first with pilasters, the second with columns), a cir- cular story surrounded by a colonnade, and, lastly, a kind of dome covered with inverted scallops. The Rue St. Front , which leads to the right , passing in front of the Freemasons' Lodge, a singular modern edifice, ends to the N. of the cathedral at the Conrs Tourny (PI. K,r. 1) , a fine prome- nade planted with trees, and containing the Museum, the Prefecture, and a statue of F^nelon. The Museum (Pl.F, 1), to the right, is open to the public on Sun.&Thurs. from 1 to 4 p. m. It chiefly contains Egyptian, Celtic. Roman, and Frankish antiquities. The Roman works include altars, bronze statuettes , a glass urn still holding ashes, and numerous smaller objects. Among the other contents of the museum are mediaeval sculptures (two fine chimney-pieces) , arms, coins, and a collection of second-class modern paintings and sculptures. Farther on , at the end of the Cours Tourny , we obtain a fine view of the valley of the Isle. To the left rises the Prr'fecficre . a modern building in the Italian style. At the opposite end of the Cours is E Nice, Place du Cha- pelet 4, near Notre-Dauie (PI. C, 4) ; be Bayonne, Bue Martignac 4, well spoken of; Conti>(ental, AUees de Tourny 60, left end, pens, from 9 fr. ; JIarin et des Colonies, des Americains (commercial). Rue de Conde' 2 and 6, nearly as expensive; des Quatre-Sceuks, Cours du Trente-Juillet U (Place de la Comedie); Lanta, Rue Montesquieu, 6, near theMarche' des Grands-Hommes (PI. C, 4; restaurant, dear); de Toulouse, Rue Vital- Carles 6-8, and Rue du Temple 7, R. from 3, dej. 3, D. 31/2 fr. ; Nicolet, Rue du Pont de la Mousque 10 (PI. C, 4,5), an old established house, R. 2 fr. , good restaurant; FnAN<;Ais , du Palais Royal, Rue du Temple 12 and 6, new, moderate; de Londres, AUees d'Orleans 34, R. from 2, dej. 21/2, D. 3 fr. ; MoNTRE , Rue Montesquieu 4, hotel meuble. moderate; du Perigord, d'Okleans, tliird-elass houses, in the small Rue Mautrec. — Hotel du Printemps, R. 2fr.; du Faisan, Rue de la Gare , and the other hotels near the Gare du Midi are all 3rd class houses. Restaurants. At most of the hotels : Chapon-Fin, Rue Montesquieu 7 ; Cafe Anglais^ Allees de Tourny 37 (PLC, 4); Bontou . Rue Porte- Dijeaux (j4-6G (PLC, 5); de Paris ^ Allees de Tourny 26; de Tourny, same street No. 16; des Nations, Allees d'Orleans, 42; Parisien, Rue Mably 7 (PL C, 4). Caffis. Cafi de Bordeaux, Place de la Comedie 2; Cafi de la Comedie, in the Grand Theatre; Grand Cafi, Cafi Anglais, etc., on the E. side of the Alle'es de Tourny ; Cafi de VOpira, Cours du Chapeau-Rouge 50; Cafi Car- dinal , Cafi Montesquieu, Cours du Trente -.Juillet 2 and 12; Bibent, Alle'es de Tourny 1; Turc, Place Gabriel, at the Exchange. — There are several Brasseries (beer-houses) in the Allees de Tourny. Cabs. From 6 a. m. to midnight. From midnight to 6^a. m. Each ~ 1st hour Drive One-horse . . Two-horse (closed) » (open) . addit. hour 1 fr. 50 1 » 75 2 .. 50 Eacli Drive 1st hour addit. hour 2 fr. 25 2 fr. 25 1 fr. 75 3 . - 3 .. - 2 . 5i> 4 » - 4 . - 3 . - 1 fr. 75 1 fr. 75 2.-2 3.-3 In hiring by time the first hour must be paid for in full, after wliich tlie time may be reckoned by spaces of 1/4 hr. — Luggage: 50 c. for 1 or 2 packages, then 25 c. per package. — Outside the barrier the charges are somewhat higher. — Per /)ay (12 hrs.), 15,20, and 25 fr. according to the carriage. Tramways and Omnibuses. Tliere are eight lines of tramway (see Plan) and five lines of omniliuscs willi Vorrespondances' as in Paris. Fares inside 20 c, outside 15 c. — Tramways. 1. From the Boulevard Jean-Jacques-Boscq (to the S. E. of PL F, 8) or Footbridge (PL E, 7) to the Hue Lucien - Faure (PL F, 1). — 2. From the Place Magenta (PI. B, 6) to the Bastide (PL F, 4). — 3. From the dare du Midi (PL E, 7) to the Gare du Midoc (PL 1), 1) or Rue Lucien- Faure. — 4. From the Place de Bourgogne (PL I), 5) to the Boulevard du Tondu (PL, to the W. of A. 6). — 5. From the Ware A'ji7ie- litu (PL C, D, 4) to the Boulevard du Bouscai or de Caudiran (PL A, 2) viil tlie Allees de Tournv. — 6. From the Place Richelieu to the Boulevard de Caudiran, via the Rue .lud.aique (PL A, B, 4). — 7. From the Place Richelieu to tht Boulevard de Talence (Pl.B, 8), via the Rue de St. Genes (PL B. 6-8) or Rue de Persac (PL B, 6, 7). — 8. From the Place dWquitaine (PL C. 6) to the Bonlecard de Bhjles (to the S of PLC. 8) via the Route de Tou- louse (PL C, 7,8), or to Croix Hi. GtnH via the Route de Bayonne (PL B, C. 7, 8) — Omnibuses. 1. From (he Rue Lucien - Faure (PL F. 1) to the Passage Lormont (to the N. E. of PL F. 1). — 2. From the Uuai des Charirons (PL I), 2, 3) to the Cours dWlbret et dWquilaine (PL B. 6). — 3. From the Place de la Comidie (PL C, 4) to the Place Nansouttj and Boulevard de Bhjles (PL C. 8). — 4. From the Place de la Bourse (PLC, 1). 5) to the Boulevard du History. BORDEAUX. /. Roitte 6. 43 Tnndu et de Caitili^ran (PI. A, 3-5). — There, are other omnibus services in tlie environs. Railway Omnibuses. These ply from the following offices in the town. For the Gam de Parif, Rue Oobineau 2, at the AUees de Tourny; AUees d'Orleans 2: Quai des Chartrons 76; Place Gambetta 22: Place d'Aqui- taine 14. For the Gate du Midi: Cours du Trente- Juillet 16 (starting 35 miu. before the departure of the train): at the tliree last-named offices of the Gare de Paris: Quai des Salinieres 1. For tlie Gare du Midoc : Rue Gobineau 2. Fare from the office 25-30 c, from a private house 50 c.: each article of luggage 20 c. Steamers, llirondelles , Gondoles , and Abeilles ply in the harbour and to places in the immediate vicinity. Larger steamers run to Castets, La Re'ole. Agen. and other places above the town, and to Pauillac. Royan, etc., below (see p. 54). Ferry to La Bastide every 5 min. (10 c). — For the steamers of the ^fessageries Maritimes, of the Pacijif ,Steam Xavigation Com- pany, and of the Compagnie Gtnirale TraiisaUantique (South America, etc.). .';ee the ludicateur or the Livret Chai.x. Post Office (PLC. 5), Rue Porte-Dijeaux 10: several sub-offlces. — Telegraph Office (PI. C, 4), Place de Tourny 4, and at the post office. Theatres. Grand 7'hedire (PI. C , 4) , for operas (prices 1-5 fr.) : Theatre Fraii(;ai!< (I'l. B. C, A: 50 c. toOfr.); Boufes - liordelaises or Theatre f.nuit (PI.R. 4. 5: 50 c. to 3 fr.). Rue Castelnau-d'Auros : Folie.i Bordelaisef, Rue Ste. Catlierine 54-56 (75 c. to 3 fr.). Baths. Jlot Baths, AUees de la Place des Quineonces; Cold Baths, Kcoles de Natation, above the Pont de Bordeaux, etc. Hydropathic FMahlishment, Place Longchamp 4 (Pl.B. 3). Consulates. British Consul, Mr. William Ward, Cours de Gourgues 9: V'iceconsul , Mr. W. J. Norcop. — American Consul, Mr. Horace G. Knoicles, Cours de Tourny 12. English Church, Cours du Pave'- des -Chartrons (PI. C. 3); Chaplain, liev. ./. H'. L. Burke. — French Protestant Churches, Rue du Ha 32 (PLCS). Kue Notre-Dame (PL D, 3), Rue Barennes 19 (Pl.B, C. 3), and Impasse St. .lean (Pl.U, 7). — German Protestant Church, Rue Tourat 31 (PLC, 3). Burdeaux, the ancient capital of Guyenne, the chief town of the ilepartmeiit of the Gironde, the headquarters of tlie 16th Army Corps, and the seat of a bishopric and a university (5 faculties), is a town with '241,582 inhab. , situated on the lelt bank of the Ga- roime, 16 AI. from the Bee d"Ambes at tlie confluence of this river with theDordogiie (p. 54), and 60 M. from its mouth on the Atlantic. It is the fourth largest town in France and also one of the leading towns in the kingdom in virtue of its commerce (p. 44), its splen- did site, and its imposing appearance. The Garonne furnishes it with an excellent harbour and with a safe and convenient water- way to the ocean. Burdigala , tlie capital of the Bituriges Viris^ci , was one of the chief cities of Gaul in the Roman period. It became tlie capital of Aquitania .Secunda, endured the devastations and the yoke of the Vandals, Visigoths, Franks, and Normans, and became part of the Duchy of Aquitaine or (iuienne, which passed to England on the marriage of Eleanor to Henry Plantagenet (see p. 4). Jfore fortunate than other towns of the province, it sutVered little from flie wars for supremacy between France and England, and it became loyally attached to its new masters, who did much to encourage its commerce, and retained it in their hands for 300 years (down to 1453). The imposition of the salt -tax, under Henri II., caused a serious insurrection here, for which the town was cruelly punished by the Constable de Montmorency in 1548. Contests also arose between the Catholics and Protestants of Bordeaux, and 264 of the latter were mas- sacred alter St. Bartliolomew's Dav. The district was asain disturbed 44 /. lioute 6. BORDEAUX. Harbour. by dissensions under Louis XIV., who regarded the town witli particular favour. From the reigns of Louis XV. and Louis XVI., vvhen Bordeau.x had for its governor the Marquis of Tourny. date its principal embellish- ment and the construction of its spacious thoroughfares. The ambition of its 'Parlement' was easily repressed; but it did not so easily escape the consequences of revolting against the Convention after the proscription of the Girondins, at the head of whom were Vergniaud, Guadet, Gen- sonne, Grangeneuve, Ducos , and Fonfrede, the deputies of the depart- ment. The town could not reconcile itself to the rule of Napoleon, who ruined its commerce, but its attachment to the Bourbons was also luke- warm. In 1870-71 it was for three months the seat of the Provisional Government, and then of the National Assembly, which here accepted the preliminaries of peace with Germany. The traveller who reaches Bordeaux by the Paris line, quitting the train at the Gare de la Bastide. at once gains an idea of the imposing character of the town, as he enters it by the *Poiit de Bordeaux (Pl.D, 5). This bridge was for a long time without a rival and it is still one of the most remarkable in the world. An attempt made in 1810 to build a bridge of timber was abandoned, and the present permanent one of stone and brick was erected (1819-21) by the engineers Deschamps and Billaudel. It is 532 yds. long and 16yds. wide, and has 17 arches, the central and widest of which have a span of 87 feet. Inside, between the arches and the roadway, are passages, which lighten the structure and facilitate its being kept in a proper state of repair without interruption to the traffic. The interior may be visited by applying to the custodian, who lives at the Bastide end of the bridge. The bridge commands a splen- eb. Hicci, l.ovr jealous of Fidelity: 103. Ribera, Conventicle; 143. Vasari, Holy Fa- uiily ;'G3. Liheri, St. Apollnnia and an angel ; 15. Moretto, Virgin and Child : S. i'ra liariolommeo , Holy Family; 84. Palma Vecchio, Holy Family: 73. A/'inmi, The Archangel Gabriel; 47. Sandro liotticeUi, The Saviour; 139. I'eridjino, Virgin and Child, with SS. Jerome and Augustine; 87. PaUneztano, ( rucifi.vion; 77. Mtivillo (;), A philosopher; 649. Jtalian fichool, Kcce Homo; 42. (1. Poiissin, Landscape ; 99. Ouido Rent, Mary Magdalen ; 106. Marco Riceiy St. Anthony invoking the Virgin; 133. Tiepolo , Klea/.ar and IJebecca; 93. Jlassano, Jesus with Martha and Mary; 3. School of Correggio, Venus asleep; 148. Titian 0), Tarquin and Liicretia; 54. Giordano, Venus asleep; Jl Cala- hrese (Preti), (!\iitar-]ilayer; 1 yl!6«no, Venus and Adonis; 126. fipada, The- Cathedral. BORDEAUX. I.Iioute6. 49 fourages of life; 40. Ctaari, Jesus washing the Disciples' feet; 150. School of Titian, Mary Magdalen ; 96. Cam. Procaccini (?), The Annunciation. — Room II. To the right : 25. P. Veronefe (?), Holy Family ; 333. Wouvennan (?), Battle ; 128. Tavella, Mary Magdalen with two angels; 92. Bassano, Leaving the Ark; near thi- door, 184. Cranach the Elder, Venus and Cupid. — Room III. To the right : 264. De Momper, Landscape ; 311. Teniers the Younger, Village festival: 290. School o^ Rubens, Adoration of the Magi ; 159. Bakhuizen, Sea- piece; 173. Braitwer, Interior; 320. 0. ran Veen, Marriage of St. Catha- rine; 293. llubena, Bacchus and Ariadne; 157. Bakhuizen, Sea-piece; above, J. Condray , Copy of the Hunt Ity Delacroi.x (see belov/); 246. Lingelhach, Flemish topers: 268. Moncheron, Landscape; 254. Maes, Portrait; 218. Oo- vaerts. Landscape, Diana resting; 253. Maes, Portrait of a man; 213. Franck the Younger, Christ on Calvary; 214. School of Franck, Different ways of attaining immortality; 186. Benj. Cuyp (7), Interior of a barn; 292. Rubens, Martyrdom of St. Justus; 304. J. van Steen , Tavern -scene; 185. A. Cuyp, Landscape; 158. /^.Bakhuizen, Sea piece; 187. B. Cuyp (?), Interior; 152. Zanchi, Good Samaritan; 237. Karel du Jardin, Landscape with animals; 302. Snyders, The aged lion ; 182. Ph. de Champaigne , Joseph's dream (in- jured); 212. Franck the Younger, Christ on Calvary; 166. N. Berghem., Land- scape; 316. Tilborgh, Interior; *291. Rubens, Martyrdom of St. George; 310. Teniers the Younger, The invocation; 263. H. Mommers, Landscape with fig- ures; 283. School of Rembrandt, Adoration of the Shepherds; 231. Hobbema, Landscape with figures: 178. '■Velvet" Brueghel, La Rosiere ; Rubens, 294. Villagers dancing. 295. Crucifi.xion ; 217. Gedam, St. Jerome; 200. Van Dyck, The penitent Maadalen ; several Flemish and Dutch landscapes. — Boom IV. 729. Raggi, Bronze statue of Louis XVI., 21 ft. high (1829). The Left Wing is devoted to modern works. — The Vestibule con- tains sculptures: 701. Cambos, Citrasshopper. — Room I. To the right, 543. Lethi'ere, Louis IX. visiting the plague-stricken ; 385. Botcguereau, Bacchante ; 466. Fran^ais , Landscape; 360. Bellange , Cuirassiers of Waterloo ; 631. Troyon, O.xen ploughing; 441. Eugene Delacroix, Lion -hunt (a fragment, the picture having been partly destroyed by a fire ; copy see above) ; 510. Jouy , Execution of Urbain Grandier (p. 14); 473. Claude Lorrain, Landscape: .563. Mignard, Louis XIV.; 45. Ferrandiz , Judgment of the Syndics of Valencia (Spain); 349. Antigua, Image-seller; 415. Cogniet, Tin- toretto painting his dead daughter; 591. Pits, Trench before Sebastopol ; 378. Fr.-Aug. Bonheur, Return from the fair; 350. Antigna, Mirror of the wood; 606. Restout, Presentation in the Temple; 384. Bouguereau , All Souls' Dav. — Room II. To the right, 678. French School, Jesus giving the keys to S"t. Peter; 579. Palliere, Bazeille (1870); 405, 406. Carrey, Present- ation of a French ambassador to the Sultan, and Entertainment offered to him; 153. A. Achenbach, Sea-piece; no number, E. Delaunay , Ophelia; 423. Courtois (le Bourguignon), Cavalry engagement ; 479. GerOme, Bacchus and drunken Cupid. In the middle: 714. Lemoyne, Bust of Montesquieu; 698. /•'. Bonheur, Cow defending her calf, in bronze; 706. Eude, The echo of the tlute, statue. — Room III. To the right, 508. Jsabey, Burning of the steamer Austria (18.58); 355. Baudry , Toilette of Venus; 432. Dauhigny, The banks of the Oise; 548. Luminais , Gallic scouts; 495. Gros, Embark- ation of the Duchess of Angouleme (1815); 359. Beaulieu , Duel; 616. Serres , Joan of Arc sentenced to death; no number, Delacroi.r , Boissy d'Anglas: 422. Corot , Landscape; 496. Gudin, Captain Desse saving the crew^of a Dutch vessel (1822); 300. Schenc.k, Reveill*!; 440. Delacroi.r, Greece expiring amid the ruins of Missolonghi; 483. Gigoux , Baptism of Clovis. — Room IV. contains pictures and sculptures of little interest. The *Cathedral (St. Andre; Pi. B. C. 5). a few yards to the S. E. of the Hotel de Ville, is one of the finest Gothic churches in the S. of France. It consists of a large nave, destitute of fagade and aisles, datinp from the ll-12th cent., with Romanesque arches; a transept; and a choir with double aisles of the i4th century. The principal portal, on the N. side, is flanked with two towers sur- Baedeker. Southern France. •+ 50 /. Route ft. BORDEAUX. Palais de Justice. mounted by stone spires. The sculptures in the tympanum re- present the Last Supper and the Ascension. In the trumeau is a statue of Bertrarid de Goth, archbishop ot'Bordeaux, afterwards Pope Clement V. (d. 1314), who contributed largely to the building. The S. portal is of the same character, but its towers have no spires. The Choir is the most admired part of the interior. Among the chief works of art are tlie monument of Cardinal de Cheverus (d. ISSti), with his statue, by Magyesi (near the pulpit); a Crucifixion, by Jordaens ; a Resurrection, -by Alessandro Veronese (opposite the pulpit) ; two large bas- reliefs of the Renaissance, below the organ, originally part of a rood- loft and representing the Descent into Hell and the Resurrection; a Bear- ing of the Cross, attributed to Ag. Carracci (at the side); the monument of Monsgr. d'Aviau in the second choir-chapel to the right; a statue of St. Anne , of the 16th cent. , some fine wood-carvings, and the monument of Ant. de Noailles (1662), in other chapels. The high-altar, in an incon- gruous style, was brought from a church at La Reole. — Richard II. of England was christened in this cathedral. About 30 yds. to the right of the choir of this church, opposite the end of the Cours Victor-Hugo (p. 45), is the Clochek Peyber- i.AND, built in 1440 by Archbishop Pierre Berland. It was sold at the Revolution and partly pulled down, but was bought back in 1850 and restored. Unfortunately, however, the spire has been left in a truncated condition, with a gilded statue of the Virgin at the top. This tower contains a bell weighing about 10 tons. To the S.W. of the cathedral rises the Palais de Justice (PI. B, 5, 6), a vast building erected in 1839-46, with a heavy facade, upwards of 150 yds. long. In the centre is a peristyle portico of the Doric order, and the projecting wings are crowned with seated figures of Malesherbes, Aguesseau, Montesquieu, and I'Hopital. Behind the Palais de Justice is the Prison, which occupies the site of the Chateau du Far or Fort du Ha, built at the same time as the Chateau Trompette (p. 45). To the S. of the Palais de Justice is the extensive Hospital of St. Andrew (650 beds; PI. B, 6), rebuilt in 1825-29, with a hand- some entrance. A little farther on, to the left, is the church of Ste. Eulalie (PI. B, C, 6), of very ancient foundation but rebuilt in the 14-15th centuries. The Rue de Cursol (PI. B, C, 6) leads to the Cours Victor-Hugo, ■which extends from the cathedral to the Pont de Bordeaux. At the bend which it makes near the Rue de Cursol are the new buildings of the Faculties of Theology , Science, and Literature (PLC, 5, 6). The vestibule contains a monument to Montaigne, who is interred ill the basement. Farther on, to the left, is the Grand Marche', a recent erection of iron and glass, and almost opposite is the new Lyce'e National. In a short street to the right stands the Porte de r Hotel de Ville, a flue relic of the old Hotel de Ville, dating in its lower part from the 13th cent., while the upper half, with its three turrets, was rebuilt in the 16th century. Above the arch, through which the street runs, is a curious clock in the Renaissance style. Higher up is another arch with a bell, and on the top of this is a Ste. Croix. BORDEAUX. /. Route 6. 51 lantern surmounted by a lion. — Adjoining this gate is the modern entrance of the church of St. Eloi, which itself dates from the 15th century. The church of St. Michel (PI. D, 6), near the Quai des Salinieres, a little above the Pont de Bordeaux, is a fine Gothic edifice, found- ed in the 8th or 9th cent., but rebuilt in 1149 and in the 15-16th centuries. Its three portals are adorned with interesting sculptures, representing the Nativity, the Adoration of the Shepherds, the Sa- crifl('e of Isaac, Abraham (to the N.), and the appearance of St. Michel to the Bishop of Sipontuni. The choir is lower than the nave, and the wall above the arch by which it is entered is pierced by a window. In the fourth choir-chapel to the left is a Descent from the Cross, carved in the 16th century. The chapel of St. Joseph dates from the Renaissance period. The Bell-Towek of St. Michel, standing apart like that of the cathedral , .32 yds. from the W. front of the church , was built in 1472-92. The spire, destroyed by a hurricane in 1768, has recently been rebuilt , and the structure has also been strengthened by the erection of six buttresses, crowned with statues, round the base. The total height of the tower is 354 ft. The soil of the old cemetery which once occupied this spot had the singular property of preserving the dead bodies coulmitted to it; and a guide is at hand to conduct strangers into a Vault where about forty natural mummies of this kind may be seen (adm. 50 c). The melancholy aspect of this exhibition is made almost fantastic by the attitude of the mummies, placed upright against the walls. The guide recounts a more or less true history of each. Ste. Croix (PI. D, 6, 7), in the midst of the populous artizan quarter which lies to the S. of St. Michel, is also one of the most interesting churches of Bordeaux. It was originally founded in the 7th cent., or even earlier, but it was rebuilt in the 10th cent, in the Romanesque style and has been restored several times since. Its most striking part is the W. front, which recalls those of Notre- Damc at Poitiers and the cathedral at Angouleme. No satisfactory explanation of the sculptures of this fagade has been given , the only recognizable details being the signs of the zodiac and a knight slaying a dragon at the feet of the Virgin. The interior, part of wliich is in the Gothic style, contains a noteworthy tomb of the 15th century. Adjoining this church is the Hospice des VieUlards (Hospital for Old Men) , in an old Benedictine abbey, with a Renaissance gateway. The street to the left of Ste. Croix leads back to the Quays, which it reaches near the Iluspire des Enfants Trouve's (Foundling Hospi- tal), a building of the 17th cent., and not far from the railway-bridge mentioned at p. 44. The Boulerards of Bordeaux are noteworthy for their extent, their fine trees, and their handsome buildings. 4* 52 /. Route 7. M^DOC. From Bordeaux to Paris see R. 1 ; to La Rochelle and NanUi, see R. 4; to Pirigueux and Limoges, see R. 5; to Roy an , see R. 7; to Arcachon, see K. 8; to Bayonne and Biarritz, see R. 9; to Toulouse and C««ff, see R. 10; to Tarbes (Pyrenees), see R. 11. From Bordeaux to La Sauve, 17 M., railway in I-IV2 hr. (fares 3 fr. 30, 2 fr. 45, 1 fr. 80 c). — The intermediate stations are of no interest to the touri.st. Near La Sanve are the ruins of an abbey founded in the lOlli cent., and rebuilt in the 13th cent., with a beautiful church. 7. From Bordeaux to Royan. a. By the M6doc Eailway. Railway to (621/2 M.) Le Verdon and Steamkk thence, in connection with the trains, to Royan, at the mouth of the Gironde. The whole jour- ney takes 4-41/m hrs. Tickets to Koyan allow the holders to break the .journey at Soulae and Le Verdon. Fares 12 fr. 40, 9 fr. 3.5, 6 fr. 80 c. ; re- turn-tickets, available for 8 days, 14 fr. 90, 11 fr. 20, 8 fr. 15 c. ; cheap ex- cursions-trains in summer (return fares 6 fr. 50, 5 fr. 50, 4 fr. 50 c). The trains start from the Gare du Medoe (p. 41). The sea is sometimes rough at the mouth of the Gironde. The whole journey may be made by railway (92 31., in 31/2-51/4 hrs.), via the State line (Gare du Midi) and branch at Pons (p. 28). Bordeaux, see p. 41. — From (2V2 M.) Bruges a branch runs to (30 M.) Lacanau (p. 56). — At (5 M.) BUmquefort there is an old castle. Here begins the Mddoc , a district of the Bordclais occupying the tongue of land between the Gironde and the sea (Medoc = "in medio aquae') and long celebrated for its wines. The vineyards extend along the left bank of the river in a band 5-12 31. in width reaching as far as (48 M.) St. Vivien (see below). Thcj-e is a great variety in the growths, but as a rule, only five kinds are distinguished as 'crus classes' (classi- lied growths). The (irst-class growths are confined to Upper Medoe, which extends from Ludon to a little beyond St. Estephe. Most of the Medoc wines are red, but excellent white wines are also produced, though the best of tliese, the Sauternes, are grown higher up on the left bank of the Garonne (see p. 64). Some of the white wines are called 'graves' because produced on the gravel deposits ('gravier') at the confluence of the rivers. The soil of the vineyards elsewliere consists mainly of si- liceous deposits, quartz, etc., brought down from the Pyrenees by the Garonne. Tliese deposits are particularly suitable to the vine because they are very loose and retentive of the heat. In consequence of the ravages of the phylloxera and a series of bad harvests the wines of Bordeaux are becoming more and more expensive, and those of the first growths, which are generally exported , are extremely dear. The vintage generally be- gins after the, middle of September and lasts till nearly the end of October. Beyond Blanquefort, to the right, lies I'arempuyre, with vine- yards and ponds in which the breeding of leeches is carried on on a large scale. 9V2 M. T^udon produces wines of the third clas.s (Chatean de la Lagune and Chateau Nexon). — 11 M. Macau , with a small har- bour on the fiaronne, which the line touches here. The IJec d'Am- bes (p. 54) lies to the S. E., but is hidden by an island. I5V2 M. Maviiaux produces wines of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd classes. The finest, known as Chateau Margaux, is the second-best SOULAC-LES -BAINS. I. Route 7. 53 M^doc wine, being siirpassed by Chateau Laffitte alone ^see below.) — ITVa M. SoKssans ; 20 M. Moitlis. 20V2 ^^- •^'- Laurent-St. Julien. St. Laurent, a small town 1*2 M. to the left, produces wines of the fourth quality. The wines of St. Julien . 2'/2 ^^- to the right . are mostly of the second class, and are widely known under the names of St. Julien. Chateau L^o- ville, etc. — Farther on, we pass on the right the domain of Chateau Latour, the wine of which ranks next to Chateau Laflitte and Cha- teau Margaux. The line again approaches the river. 29 M. Faoillac (Grand-Hotel), an old town of 4623 iuhab., lies on the left bank of the Gironde and possesses a harbour used by vessels which cannot get up to Bordeaux. Its wine-district, reckon- ed the second of the MMoc in general importance, includes the domain of Chateau Laffitte, which produces the finest wine of all. 32 M. St. Eifephe. with the largest vineyard in the country. Its chief growth. Cos-Destournel. ranks among the second class wines. — 35 M. Verteuil has an interesting Romanesque church. — 38*/.2M. St. Germain-d' Esfeuil. 42 m. Lesparre. a small town with a tower of the 14th cent., a relic of an old castle, and a fine modern church, is the junction of a line to Facture and Ares i Arcachon : see p. 56). — 47 M. Queyrac: 50 M. Vensac : 51*'.3 M. St. Viiien, where the vines give way to marshes. This large village has a chmxh belonging partly to the 14th cent., with a fine modern spire. — 54 M. Talais. 58 M. Soulac-les-Bains [Hotel dela Paii. Hotel Fontetes, both expensive), a small watering-place, with a fine beach and surrounded by pine-woods. Near the village, which lies '2 M. from the station. is the curious Romanesque church of Le Vieux Soulac. buried after the middle of the 13th cent, by the encroaching sand-dunes, which have once more uncovered it in their advance inland. An inter- esting walk may be taken at low tide along the foot of the dunes, to- wards the Pointe de Grave (see below). The sea. which is extreme- ly violent in this vicinity, has swallowed up the harbour of Soulac and various other localities, including the Roman town of Soiio- magus. Extensive dykes fepis"). constructed with great difficulty, have been raised at the Anse des Huttes (1' ., M.i. the Pointe de Grave ^5M.). and elsewhere, to resist the encroachment of the waves. 63 m. Le Verdon (Hotels), the terminus of the railway, is at present of little importance, but possesses a small harbour of refuge. From the station we proceed by tramway (no extra charge) through a fine pine-forest to (• '4 hr.) the steamboat. To the right of the pier is a fort. To the left, in the direction of the Pointe de Grave, appears Royan. with its conspicuous casino. Directly opposite us is St. Georges-de-Didonne (p. 54). The voyage usually takes less than 3/4 hour. In the distance to the left, is the Lighthouse of Cordouan (see below). Good view of Royan as we approach. — Royan, see p. 55. 54 I. Route 7. BLAYE. From Bordeaux b. By the Gironde. Steamers ply from Bordeaux to Koyan in 41/2-51/2 hrs., twice a day in summer (July, Aug., Sept.) and thrice weekly (Mon., Thurs., and Sat.), during the rest of the year. They start from the quay in front of the Place des Quinconees (p. 45), in summer at 8 a. m. and 2 p. m., in winter at 8 or 8.30 a. m. Fares 6 fr. , 4 fr. ; return-tickets, available for 8 days, 9 fr., 6 fr. , fare by Sun. excursion- steamer in summer 3 fr. , 2 fr. Res- taurant on board. The scenery is dull and monotonous, but the great width of the Gi- ronde , amounting at places to T'/a M. , makes it impressive, though the water is generally turbid. Numerous islands are passed. The pas- sage is sometimes considerably protracted when the tide is rising or the sea at the mouth of the river rough. It is not possible to make the ex- cursion both ways by steamer in one day, but those who are much pressed for time may go by water and return by railway, or vice versa. The steamer at first threads its way through the harbour of Bordeavix, which is fringed by warehouses, manufactories, and ship- building yards. To the left are the docks and a floating basin. To the right rise the heights of Lormont (p. 12), with its picturesquely situated chateau; 1. Parenipuyre (p. 52); r. Montf errand ; 1. Macau (p. 52); r. Ambh and Le Bee d'Ambes, the latter a low and narrow tongue of land stretching for some distance between the Garonne and the Dordogne. The Mascaret, a tidal wave similar to the Barre on the Seine and the Bore on the Severn and sometimes 8-10 ft. high, advances as far as this point in August and September. It appears on a rising tide and is, partly at least, the result of the two opposing currents in the bed of the river. We next pass some long islands on the left, while to the right are several quarries. r. 25 M. Blaye (Hotel du Medor). a town of 4330 inhab., which existed under the Romans and to this day retains a certain impor- tance as a stronghold. It is prettily situated, partly on a hill, but offers nothing of interest to the tourist. Its Citadel , on a rock beside the river, is supplemented by the Fort dt( Pate', on an islet, and the Fort Me'doc , on the left (opposite) bank. A branch-rail- way runs hence to (15V2 M.) St. Martens (p. 29) ; another to (14 M.) St. Giers-Lalande. The steamer now heads for the left bank , on which are the Chateau de Beychevelle, the slender spire of St. Jidien, and several vineyards (pp. 52, 53). The right bank is now, in its turn, hidden by islands. To the left lies (37 M.) Pauillac (p. 53), and farther on are the hospital of Pauillac or Trompeloup, and St. Estephe (p. 53), the latter on a knoll. Still farther on, to the left, rise the towers of St. Chrhtoly and of Valeyrac. Near this point the Gironde is at its widest. Ill mid -channel there is a sandbank about 8 M. long, beyond which we again steer for the right bank , which seems to consist mainly of chalk-cliffs. Lastly, on the same side, lies Sf. Geortiei-de-Didon)ie, a small river-port and bathing-place surroun- ded by woods , 2','2 M. short of Royan. On the left off the mouth to Royan. ROYAN. /. Route 7. 55 of the Gironde stretches the Polnte de Grme (p. 53). Out in the open sea rises the Lighthouse of Cordouan (see helow). On the right hank stands — Royan. — Hotels. Hotel de Bordeaux et de Frakce . de Pahis, D 'Orleans (11. 2-3 fr.). all in the Boulevartl Thiers, near the harbour: du Commerce, Boulevard Lessore, Richelieu, liimlevard Botton, both near the baths; DE LA Croix-Blaxche, Rue de Roche fort and Boul. Botton; Hotel- Restaur. du Centre. Rue Gambetta 52, R. IVa-Si/a, d(«j. 21/2, ^- -'^/i *>. — At Pontaillac : H. d'Anc/ieterre:, de Pontaillac, de V Europe, on the beach. Sea Baths, with bathing-box and dress. 60 c. to 1 fr. — Casino. Adni. by day 1-2, in the evening 3-4 fr. ; subscription, per week 25, per fortnight 40, per month 55, per season 80 fr. (families at a reduction). Post and Telegraph Office, Boulevard Botton 54. Royan, a modern town with 6702 inhab., is one of the chief sea-bathing resorts in France, being frequented by about 40,000 visitors annually. It is well built, partly on the rocks which overlook the mouth of the Gironde, opposite the Pointe de Grave, and it offers to visitors all the usual amenities of a fashionable watering-place. Its four Conches, or beaches, are covered with fine sand and afford admirable facilities for bathing. At Koyaii itself the sea is generally calm , even when the waves are breaking furi- ously at Pontaillar, 1 '/^ M. to the W. (omn. 25 c. ; hotels, see above). Between the two lie the Conche de Foncilton. in front of the new Casino, and the Conche de Chay, Vs ^^- farther on, beyond a small fort. Near the fine ciuay where we disembark rises the Casino, a hand- some new building, facing the sea. Behind it is a fine park, which we may enter also from the Hue du Casino, near the harbour, between the Boulevard Thiers and the Rue Gambetta. The last named street leads to the church of Notre-Bame, a handsome modern Go- thic structure. — The liailiray Station (line to Pons, see p. 28) is about 3/4 M. distant in the same direction. The chief excursion from Royan is to the Lighthouse 0/ Cordouan, to which steamers ply during the season, usually on Sun. and Thrsday. The lighthouse stands on a rock 71/2 M. from Royan, accessible from the shore at low fide. The islet was formerly, it is said, attached to the Pointe de Grave (see p. 53), which is now more than 3 JI. from it. The tower was perhaps originally constructed by the Saracens or by Louis the Pious, but it was rebuilt by Edward, Prince of Wales (the Black Prince) in 1370. and again in 1584-1610 from the plans of Louis de Foix, one of the architects of the Escurial. The present tower, however, dates from the beginning of this century. The lighthouse . with its basement, rises to a height of 212 ft. Such is the violence of the sea at this spot, that the waves, though broken by reefs, still rise more than 40 ft. against the tower. The light is visible for 30 M. In the second story of the tower is a chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Cordouan. Railway from Royan to Pons and to La Tremblade, etc., see p. 28. 8. From Bordeaux to Arcachon. 35 _M, Railway in iVs-SVa Iirs. (fares 4 fr. 65, 3 fr. 55, 2 fr. 45 c). Excursion-trains at reduced fares on Sun. and holidays in summer (return 3 fr. 85, 2 fr. 75, 1 fr. 60 c). The trains start from "the Gare du Midi or de St. Jean. Bordeaux, see p. 41. This line diverges to the right from the 56 /. Route 8. L ANDES. From Bordeaux Toulouse railway (R. 10), and passes, partly in cuttings, through a wine -growing district, the finest product of which is the HaM<- Brion, a wine of the premier cru (p. 52). 8^/4 M. Pessac ; ^^|^M.. Qazintt. The disappearauce of the vineyards and the appearance in their place of plantations of pines now indicate that we have entered the singular district known as the landes (waste lands). The name is given to a vast triangular plateau, 150-200 ft. above the sea, and bounded by the Atlantic and the valleys of the Garonne and the Adour. On the side next the sea it is upwards of 120 M. in length, its maximum width is about 60 M., and it covers an area of 2300 sq. M. The soil is composed of a layer, about I1/2 ft. deep, of sand and alios, i. e. vegetable detritus solid- ified by a ferruginous cement , which renders it unfit for cultivation. Even after the great improvements of late years, the district is still dried up in summer and marshy in winter, the alios rendering the soil impervious to moisture, while the sand-dunes (200-300 ft.) along the coast hinder the escape of the surface waters. These dunes, moreover used to invade the country, advancing about 20 yds. every year, but the attack has been arrested by the planting of sea-pines (pinus maritiina), begun in 1786. The circulation of the waters, too, has been regulated, and the forests, al- ready of great extent, are daily gaining on the bare ground. There, still remain, however, vast stretches of country , almost entirely waste, over- grown with heath, furze, reeds, bracken, and broom, and presenting a unique but monotonous appearance. It will be noticed that the trunks of the pines are scored with gashes , below which small tin vessels are placed. The purpose of these is to collect the resin, which forms a very important article of commerce here. The sea-pine is not, however, the only tree which thrives in the Landes ; the acacia, the ailanthus, tlie oak, and the cork-tree are successfully grown, the last chiefly near Bayonne. In order to traverse the sands and the marshes, the inhabitants of the Landes have had to adopt the custom of walking on stilts, 4-6 ft. high, supporting themselves by a pole which serves as a walking-stick. It was formerly no uncommon sight to see the natives, often clad in sheepskins, traversing the Landes with the speed of a horse at full gallop , or supported on the end of their long poles, tranquilly watching their flocks and knitting the footless stockings peculiar to the district. Now- a-days, however, the tourist, or at least the railway-traveller, will see nothing of this kind, for there are fewer marshes and fewer pasturages than formerly, and many roads have been made throughout the Landes. 11 M. Pierroton; 14 M. Croix - d' Hins ; 17 M. Marcheprime : 20'/2 M. Canauley ; 23 M. Facture. Fkom Facture (Aucachon) to Lbsparke (Royan). oG^/2 M., railwav in 43/4 Urs. (fares 11 fr. 20, 8 fr. 40, 6 fr. 15 c.). This line, which traverses the Landes of the Gironde, skirts at first the N.E. side of the Basin of Arcachon (p. 58). — 8 31. Taiissat , a small sea-bathing place; 13 M. Arits, a country-town and bathing-resort. The line then tui-us to the N., skirt- ing the'VV. side of the sand-dunes, which here attain a height of more than 200 ft. and have several times necessitated the removal of the neigh- bouring hamlets. — 28 M. Lacanau (Hotel Caupos), to the E. of the pool of the same name, which is 5 M. long and 2 M. broad. It is the junction of a line to Bruges and Bordeaux (see p. 52). — Beyond (35 M.) Carcans, we pass the Etan