Three departments meet, Departement 35 Ille et Vilaine, 50 Manche, 53 Mayenne , and its neighbour 61 Orne, is very close too.
This is one reason why Fougeres saw so much action in its history being on the border of Brittany and France.
Last week we ventured out to department 61 to visit a spa town named Bagnoles-de-l'Orne
it is as if it was dropped from the sky since its appearance comes as a bit of a shock compared to the rustic buildings and simple towns along the route. It is in fact in the middle of a Normandy forest.
A French couple stopped and spoke to us, the French lady commented about our dog and asked if she was gentle. The lady was embarrassed that she couldn't remember where department 35 is
(she was looking at the number plate on the car). No longer working for pages jaune, (yellow pages,) and now retired she told us that she used to know the location of all the departments in France. They were staying in Bagnoles-de-l'Orne for her husband who she said was ill, he could enjoy some of the water therapies, of course the use of water to treat rheumatic diseases and arthritis has a long history. We then left them and and enjoyed a drink at this small restaurant.
Cheers or Santé
After a walk around this lovely part of the town we headed towards the shops and restaurants at the other side of the lake.
Flower Balls
Eventually we were forced to stop again for lunch, as the sky was black and rain fell heavily forcing people to retreat with their lunchtime plates inside the restaurants.
Rain soon ~ Tombe la pluie
List of Spa towns in France here.
The French word to take or give a bath is baigner
The French familiar word for car is bagnole.
PS. I am also posting pictures here.
