Day 55: Mulhouse to Montbeliard

Day 54. Mulhouse to Montbeliard. 58km, 3:05

It poured with rain last night but it had cleared by the morning. We made an early start as we had to catch the train back to Mulhouse to pick up our bikes. We were relieved to find that our bikes were still at the hotel, we packed our bags and cycled down to the TI to find where the V6 to take us out of town, is. The TI only opens at 09:30 so we decided to wing it. We made our way to the Gare Central and picked up the V6 from there. It is usually quite tricky finding the route from one's overnight accommodation. We have discovered that the route always passes the Gare and have managed to pick up the route like this quite often.

It was an easy cycle along a long flat route on the tow path next to the Rhone- au- Rhine canal. The Rhone- au - Rhine canal is a significant waterway of France. It joins the Rhone to the Rhine river, thereby linking the Mediterranean to the North Sea. Planning for it started in 1784 and it was finally completed in 1834. The canal runs through agricultural plains with the beautiful white Charolais cattle just starting to make an appearance here and there. The ripening wheat fields juxtaposed by the bright green young corn fields made for a beautiful patchwork of contrasting colours landscape.

The cyclists on this stretch were few and far between, we only passed 8 people with touring bikes, such a change from Germany. The cyclists have been really friendly - there are very few that don't give one a cheery Bon Jour.

After a good cycle we got to Montbeliard for lunch. The town is in the Doubs Department of the Franche - Comte.The Chateau de Montbeliard was built by the dukes of Wurtemberg and stands high on a rocky promontory at the entrance to the town. It has been changed many times over the centuries. The Henriette tower, was the last addition in the 18 C.

It was such a lovely evening so we decided to have a picnic supper in the park with some delicious Martin Jund Schlossberg Riesling 2012. We felt that this Riesling was a bit young and would still be good for another 5-10 yrs.(WWW 9). 

There were long flat stretches alongside the Rhone-au-Rhine canal.

The locks line up to climb over the hills between the two river systems.

The boats were concentrated around the locks.

Out to dinner in the Parcel la Rose, Montbeliard.