As we had already spent a few days in Montluçon (which is a very cute town) before our last house sitting assignment, and with it being a public holiday today (8 May), we decided to head out of town to visit a neighbouring town – Bourbon l’Archambault. We had thought we might have morning tea or maybe even lunch there.

Located just over 50 km to the north east of Montluçon – the drive was supposed to be an easy one. But, the weather was not ideal. Rain was threatening as we left Montluçon and I was getting conflicting advice regarding directions I should be taking from the GPS (she wanted to go the fastest route on a motorway) and from Mick (who wanted to avoid any big roads at all cost).

But we made it there both safely and dry.

We had chosen Bourbon l’Archambault because it is a famous ‘spa’ town with an ancient château,  started in the 13th Century and which underwent further additions and modifications for five more centuries.

We found a park quite close by and then walked towards the impressive château – across this bridge which was added in the 16th Century, over the moat. This bridge replaced a drawbridge, which had replaced a moveable bridge. That’s progress!

There was absolutely no one around, and the clouds were gathering. But we pressed onwards and upwards to get a view from the other side.

We could see signs advertising guided tours around the château – but not today!.

Almost too late, we decided we should return to the car, when the heavens opened and it started to pour with rain. Mick and I both got a drenching before we made it back to the car.

We unanimously voted to head back towards Montluçon to find somewhere for a coffee – as we’d given up on finding anything suitable, or dry, in Bourbon l’Archambault.

Happily we found a very cute bar in another small village closer to Montluçon and our needs were met.

By some coincidence, tonight we are staying in an old world hotel – Les Bourbons – obviously named after the same famous family of Bourbons that the château we had visited earlier in the day. It was a coincidence because I had chosen it because it is very close to the railway station (not too far for dragging suitcases), as in the morning we are to catch the train to Clermont-Ferrand.

A lovely bonus, was that this hotel has a very well known restaurant – Restaurant Aux Ducs de Bourbon – and Mick and I decided to treat ourselves to a special meal. We were not disappointed – probably the fanciest place we have dined in since our New Year’s Day brunch with our Australian friends Jeanie and Michael at Riberach in Bélesta.

But before dinner – we visited a little bar across the road and things got a bit crazy.

We got a bit carried away with the holiday spirit!

Once inside the restaurant – we were glad we had made a reservation when we checked into the hotel as there were no spare tables. We selected the most popular menu – the cheapest at €25 for three courses, plus a bottle of Bordeaux (for extra of course).

It was a fabulous meal.

Before our meals arrived we were given a palate cleansing course of lentils. Now Mick normally hates lentils – but not tonight.

Mick and I selected the same entrée of sardines.

For our main courses – Mick chose the pork and I chose the pasta.

And dessert was fabulous.

At the end of the meal our waiter asked for our room number – and I think I told him the right one. We will have to wait and see until check out tomorrow to see if he understood me.

We might be lucky!!