Saturday June 25, 2022
We started our tour of Tours at 8.30 and it is getting quite warm already.
Our first port of call is the Cathedral which is situated at the end of the original road from Paris and would have been an impressive sight in the 16th century. Come to think of it it’s an impressive sight in the 21st century. I’m not too sure I would employ the builders to build my house as it took them 400 years to complete the work.
Next on the list is the Basilica of St Martin. This is one of the renowned local architect Victor Laloux designs. The current building was completed in 1924.
The original Basilica dating back to the 5th century was completely destroyed and all signs if it erased during the French Revolution. The site being rediscovered in 1860.
Then it was off to discover two more of Victor Laloux’s creations, the Hotel de Ville and the Gare.
On the way to the Hotel de Ville we stopped off at a market and bought a casual top each for going out. Something smart but cool to wear in this heat. I know more stuff to carry.
The Gare de Tours is another fine example of Victor Laloux work. The railway was first established at the end of the 19th century and helped with the revival of Tours.
While outside the station, Mike had gone off to film a vlog while I took some photos of the train station with my phone. As I was doing this, I sensed someone watching me and turned around and there was a lady eying me up.
She was like a cat, trying to corner me. I stepped to the left, she stepped to the left. I tried going to the right as she followed, maintaining eye contact like a cat stalking its prey. I tried stepping backwards and she followed. I thought about running but didn’t think that wouldn’t end well.
Then I saw Mike a distance behind her, oblivious to what was happening. Feeling trapped, I yelled out to him. Thankfully he saw what was happening straight away and came running over, yelling at the woman.
It wasn’t until Mike was at my side that she finally backed off. We headed into the relative safety of the train station and waited a few minutes before heading out a different way, making sure she didn’t follow us.
In all my years of travelling alone, nothing like this has ever happened to me.
After that episode we made our way back to the hotel. The morning was over and the temperature was starting to soar.
You can follow our journey on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAP03_iOV9QrtahRxRPBTVB9ZTNOmdizn
