Memorable France - Exploring Historic and Scenic Locations

What makes a trip through France truly unforgettable? In this episode of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast, titled Memorable France - Exploring Historic and Scenic Locations, host Annie Sargent chats with Ken Ives about his 25-day journey through some of the country’s most meaningful places. Ken is a thoughtful traveler from California who planned a route filled with both beauty and history. He shares what it was like to stand in the silence of Oradour-sur-Glane, see 29,000-year-old cave art in Pech Merle, and take in sweeping views of the Lot Valley. Along the way, he visited Poitiers, Sancerre, Rocamadour, the Camargue, and more. They talk about how to mix slow travel with big moments. Ken gives practical tips on hotels, restaurants, driving in rural France, and managing travel with limited mobility. He also shares some memorable meals, like gardiane de taureau in the Camargue and Crottin de Chavignol pasta in Sancerre. If you’re searching for a deep, rewarding France itinerary with local flavor and historic depth, this episode is packed with ideas. It's perfect for listeners who want to go beyond the usual tourist circuit. Subscribe to Join Us in France on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app to discover new places, hear real stories, and plan smarter trips. Table of Contents for this Episode [00:00:15] Introduction — [00:00:31] Today on the podcast — [00:00:50] Podcast supporters — [00:01:20] The Magazine segment — [00:01:49] Welcome, Ken Ives — [00:02:37] Exploring Fontainebleau and Sancerre — [00:03:30] Journey through Poitiers and Oradour-sur-Glane — [00:05:17] Southern France Adventures — [00:06:23] Discovering Poitiers Battlefield — [00:09:10]  Nouaillé-Maupertuis town and abbey — [00:10:20] Dining Experiences in Poitiers — [00:16:08] Visiting Pech Merle Cave — [00:23:26] Exploring the Pech Merle Museum — [00:24:25] Touring the Pech Merle Cave — [00:26:14] Dating the Ancient Cave Paintings — [00:29:11] Accessibility and Ease of Visiting Pech Merle — [00:32:23] Discovering the Lot Valley and Surroundings — [00:36:41] Visiting the Camargue and Bird Sanctuary — [00:45:42] Culinary Delights of the Camargue — [00:48:31] Conclusion and Future Adventures — [00:49:39] Thank you Patrons — [00:51:00] Discount for podcast listeners — [00:52:18] Changes to French Toll Roads — [00:54:38] Next week on the podcast — [00:54:57] Copyright — More Episodes about Going Off the Beaten Track in France