Day 70 - July 4: Troyes to Joinville (59mi/94km)

Sights on these long rural rides are scarce unless you really dig cows, so here’s a new crop.

Pink poppies. I assume those isn’t France’s opium region – poppy seeds?

Bring the whole family!

59 miles later we pull into Joinville, which you do not neet to put on your “must see” list. As usual, we are starving, so I hunt down some snacks - new crazy chip flavors and the “grill of summer” proves a hit.

Our hotel has a famous (an previously Michelin-starred) restaurant, Le Soleil d'Or, and since my walk around Jville has proven that there’s nothing that can compete, we decide to celebrate 3,000 kms with a nice meal.

After an amuse bouche (no picture) Eric gets a cheese tart.

And scallop ceviche with a… creatively woven concoction of salmon for me. It’s tasty, with unusual flavors (mustard, grapefruit) that work. And it’s gorgeous.

Duck breast! Surprised?

Fish (something I don’t recognize “from a lake” - maybe trout?) with morels and purple potatoes for me.

Drumroll please… The cheese chariot!! I have three, which Eric dubs “a poor showing.” But, now I know that somewhere in the building there’s this - and probably unguarded!

Eric finishes with a pretty fruit tart.

And a poached sable pear with fancy accessories and the ubiquitous creme anglais for Eric since I’ve decided to ride the cheese wave.

A good way to prepare for our big ride tomorrow…