Thursday 4 May 2023

DAY 18 - LOIVRE to REIMS (Thursday 4 May)

We enjoyed a very short day's walk today, with good weather again. Our path took us on the road out of Loivre, followed by a short stretch of canal walking, then into Reims via a major road and an industrial estate (home of the local Decathlon, where we went to buy some replacement socks). 
Looking forward to the short day's walk ahead
A few sights on the way out of Loivre. Another insect hotel caught the eye - they are quite plentiful in the towns we are visiting. 
A stroll along the canal
We didn't go across this bridge
We walked for a couple of kilometres along a busy road
Entering Reims. Another insect hotel. 
We found our way to the Foujita Chapel, expecting it to be closed (based on a check on Google Maps). We were pleasantly surprised to find it open after all. We enjoy Foujita's work - a print of his painting of a lady in a Parisian café has adorned our bookshop for many years. We had a good look around. The frescoes were painted by Foujita when he was 80, and he and his wife are buried in the chapel. 
We arrived at the Foujita Chapel to find it open
Looking around inside the Chapel
There was a conveniently-placed bench in the chapel grounds, and we took advantage of it for our lunch stop. 
Lunch at the Foujita Chapel
Scenic lunch spot
After lunch we continued on towards the centre of the city, passing some of Reims' iconic sights along the way. 
Some iconic Reims sights
We walked through a large linear green space, with chairs, playgrounds, exercise stations and even hammocks laid out along its length. Along a path through the park was a display of photographs juxtaposing the destruction in Reims during World War I and the destruction in Chernihiv in the current war in Ukraine.
People enjoying the green space in Reims
The hammocks were particularly popular, but this Australian walker eventually managed to find an unused one.
Photo exhibition - photos of Reims in WWI at the top,  Chernihiv 2022 underneath
In this photo, the eagle-eyed viewer may just make out the reflection of a couple of Australian walkers
After checking in to our accommodation, we had time for a wander through the city. We made our way to the famous Gothic cathedral before looking for somewhere for dinner. 
Rambling through Reims
The cathedral was lit up by the late afternoon sun
Equestrian statue of Joan of Arc outside the cathedral
We explored the cathedral, where French kings traditionally came to be crowned. 
We found somewhere for dinner . . . 
. . . and then returned to enjoy the view from our accommodation
Day 18 - Healthy Fruit 
Day 18 - Birds
Day 18 - Elevation Profile 
Day 18 - Route 
Day:  18
Distance: 15.81 km
Walking time:  3 hrs 21 mins
Elevation gain: 206 metres
Cumulative distance:  417.93 km

2 comments:

  1. Mumm's gardening!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 😄 If I only had a glass of Mumm's champagne while I was in the hammock it would have been perfect!

    ReplyDelete

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