Today I join Lou and Riccardo for their drive back to their home about 2h south of Paris. After an earlier breakfast than yesterday, at 0800, we departed at 0845.
After a little detour, we got on the motorway where the GPS indicated that we would be on the motorway to Geneva for about 220km. As it turned out later, we would skirt around Switzerland and remain in France.
The ride on the Italian side had lots of tunnels and castles. After an hour, I was told that we were in an area where we’d be able to see Monte Bianco or Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. As it was so cloudy, it wasn’t there for me.
About two hours after departure, we travelled through the 11.6km Mont Blanc tunnel which connected Italy to France. The privilege came at a hefty price of about EUR46 for the car.
Once we exited on the French side, near Chamonix, we had clear weather. I looked back and was able to see the mountain its glory.
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- Mont Blanc on the French side, including a glacier.
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- Mont Blanc on the French side, including a glacier.
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- French alpine countryside near Mont Blanc and Chamonix.
The weather en route turned foggy then clear again as we approached Les Sauvageon, near Douchy, where my friends live. The drive about 7h including 2 rest stops and an additional roadside comfort break. The pair of them had two turns driving beach and we arrived at their lovely home around 1600.
The house was looking good considering they had been away for 2 months. They had a friend from Thailand squat there after not being able to return to Thailand due to catching Covid-19 while on holiday in Paris. It’s something I hope not to emulate!
We had been invited for dinner by a friend Michele (man) who was considerate enough to think that we may not have food or time to cook for dinner. He made a delicious Mediterranean-style salt-baked whole fish.