Day 3 in the Loire Valley

 [31 March]

Today was spent tidying up a few getting-to-know-the-city loose ends. After a fitful night's sleep for both of us we were greeted by a lovely morning and enjoyed coffee and a light breakfast at home.

Once we roused ourselves we headed off to the city's Tourist Office. Located across from the main train station and just a few blocks down our street, it was a short walk. We picked up some brochures of course and chatted with one of the agents who answered a couple of key questions (mainly regarding the Tours City Pass and the public transportation tickets).

the Tourist Office

From the TI office we strolled down Boulevard Heurteloup to rue Nationale where we turned north in the direction of the river. Making our way past the oh-so-many shops, large and small (including Galleries Lafayette and Monoprix Home) and following along the city's one-and-only tram line, we turned off at rue des Les Halles in search of the city's main indoor market.

we passed up this boulangerie in hopes for bread at Les Halles

And of course for the best pulled pork in the city you would go to Lazy Suzy.

A few minutes later we found our second objective for the day, Les Halles, the main indoor market. Unfortunately, most of the vendors were closed (it being Monday), but we did find a very nice woman running a large produce stand and picked up some potatoes and broccoli for dinner tonight. We also stopped at a fromagerie where we got a small wedge of Brillat Savarin and Tomme de Navarre as well as a local goat cheese, the latter being very creamy and delicious.

We also scored a loaf of pain intégrale (a healthy, hearty whole wheat loaf) a couple of croissants and two brioche feuillitée at the one open boulangerie. As we were strolling here and there it became abundantly clear to us that many shops are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

We made our way back home, dropped off our groceries, relaxed for just a few minutes before heading back out. 

First up was a stop to see the inside of the cathedral. But when we approached the place de Cathédrale, it was half full of people waiting for something, and that something was a funeral service. While everyone else was waiting we popped inside for a few minutes-- just long enough to see the wonderful tomb of the two young children of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany before leaving. And also to realize how very cold it was inside. 

Making way back through the crowds we found a bench on the place where we could watch the process of a family saying their final goodbye to a loved one. And there were a lot of people saying their goodbyes.

From the cathedral we made our way back to rue Colbert and Carrefour express to pick up a few groceries. Grocery picking up becomes a state of mind here, at least for us, and we don't regret it for a minute.

Please note the carton of 20 eggs for about 4 bucks. And in Grand Rapids they're paying nearly $11 dollars for 24!

As we turned down our street a parade of probably 75-100 youngsters with teachers all dressed in a variety of costumes some rather outlandish but cute, passed us on the way back to the school (at the end of our street).

After leaving our groceries it was back out and over to the river for a short walk over the Saint-Symphorien (pont de fil) pedestrian bridge that crosses the Loire river to the Paul Bert Quartier.

looking downstream

our street in the middle of the block of buildings

the sign notes 863 cycles across the bridge today and over 101,000 this year

It was then home and a home cooked meal for us!

Tomorrow: exploring farther afield in Tours using a day pass on the public transit. That's the plan and right now we're sticking with it.