We had over 300km to drive so took the péage – I’m not sure what was more unsettling, to see 130 on the speedo or the toll of £34! Nonetheless, by lunchtime we were in Livarot to visit a family run dairy in the heart of the Pays d’Auge.
We had missed most of the action as cheese is made in the morning, but saw cheeses ripening in cool rooms …
… and also the Livarot cheese being wrapped in reeds, originally done to stop the soft cheese collapsing when transported by train to Paris.
We had hoped their cheese bar might have been open, in order to enjoy a selection of cheese, but had to make to with tasters instead. It was interesting to compare cheese made from raw milk to pasteurised as see how much richer the flavour was and would have loved to bring some home but it needs to stay chilled.
We are spending our last night in Caen which features the last chateau on our list. It was built around 1060 by William the Conqueror and became one of the largest castles in Europe.
The walls, gatehouse and views are impressive but the grounds inside are undergoing renovation.
William also built his and hers abbeys, as penance for defying the pope and marrying his cousin Matilda of Flanders.
Here is Abbaye aux Hommes where William is buried …
… and Abbaye aux Dames where Matilda rests.
Our dinner at Le P’tit B that evening was excellent, everything from the amuse bouché to the last empty plate, thus bringing our trip to a lovely end.
That just left the journey home on this very ferry!
It’s been great, and all went smoothly, especially the driving as there wasn’t a pot hole to be seen and Chris loved taking his car on a trip! I loved being able to chuck stuff in the boot … and bring things home!
So here we are, sipping Crémant de Loire in the garden and reflecting that we visited only 8 of the 300 chateau in the Loire, so you never know, we might be back!
Off Travelling Together 