We met Sylvie, our volunteer guide from the Angers Greeters organization, this morning and she led us through much of the old parts of the city south of the Maine River. Discussed the 3rd century Roman and 11th century medieval walls of town.

We visited the cathedral. It is one of the few if not the only cathedral that still has the medieval 13th century painting on the facade of the cathedral entry. This was made possible by the fact that a porch covered the facade from the 13th century until 1807. Much of the past decades, it has been covered with wood scaffolding preventing you from seeing more than a trace as they puzzle over how to expose AND preserve it. (see photo)

The church was also spared significant damage in WWII, so it's 12th century stained glass windows have persisted in all their glory and "gory" (beheading and flaying of saints among other scenes.)

Lunch outside the TI where we met a couple of long haul cyclists who brought their bikes from Australia. They felt Brittany was too cold, wet and windy and are moving south.

Another great afternoon to read in the Jardin de Mail. Sylvie told us 'mail' is a game like croquet, played centuries ago. We also see local men playing a game where they roll a large wooden dowel (2" x 8") to knock down truncated "pins" that are numbered on their slanted tops.

Finished the day at a very nice little neighborhood restaurant with the interesting name of "The Cantina." Good food (blackboard only menu), quaint surroundings and a very friendly owner/manager.

Walked - 6.6 miles

Drove - zero km