SUMMER AT HOME part 4

 

Today's walk takes us down to the town centre and then to our nearest beach. It's about 25 minutes walk into the centre of our little town of Perros which has a population of 8000 residents, rising to about 40,000 at the peak of the summer holidays. The centre is dominated by the church with it's unusual domed tower, nicknamed the German helmet, facing the pretty shops and cafes with their open air terraces.  There is traffic passing but it keeps the centre alive and there's always plenty of people watching to be done!

 

 

A street away from the church is the Mairie or town hall which is always decorated and surrounded by the most fantastic floral displays which are changed with the seasons.

 

 

From opposite the town hall we take a stroll through some pretty roads lined with impressive old houses and start to descend to Trestraou beach.  The steep hill has the most spectacular views out to sea between the hotels and mansions and eventually we arrive at this perfect curve of pale golden sand.  There are bars and restaurants facing the sea as well as a nautical centre for youngsters  learning to sail and surf.  Boat trips take visitors out to the Sept Iles for a picnic and also to see the gannet colony on one of them, Ile Rouzic, which is the largest in this part of the world.

 

 

At the eastern end of the beach is this lovely old granite building of holiday apartments, surrounded by palm trees with some of the best views around.

 

 

This is a typical 19th century building dating from when Perros first became popular with wealthy Parisians looking for somewhere to take the waters and relax.

 

 

This one in the shadow of the tall pines which are everywhere is a creperie facing the marina.

 

 

So we start back home and this is one the views that will probably soon disappear under houses caught my eye a few years ago, a field of cauliflours with the sun dropping low in the winter sky.

 

 

I painted this about 10 years ago from my bathroom window looking east across the valley and to the next hill with it's water tower just visible in the distance.  The trees are too tall now to be able to see so far.   I do hope you have enjoyed these walks around my area, I've been planning my next few posts and maybe we'll visit some of the places we went to on our boat.