Nantes - an unexpected pleasure

I am desperate to find accommodation in Nantes, so I send off more than thirty requests to WarmShower hosts, as they tend to me much more responsive than hosts on other platforms. I do not hold out too much hope, as today is a bank holiday and I have only given any potential host a few hours notice. 

Just as I am about to leave the town to find somewhere to camp, I get a message from Pierre. Although he is just getting back after a long weekend away, I can put my tent up in his garden. My feelings for Nantes and for the French hospitality rise dramatically with this news. 

Pierre and Regine have a beautiful house and fruit-filled garden and I almost feel like I am bending the grass out of perfect harmony by setting it up there. 

Although they are both in their seventies, they have more vitality and joix de vive than nearly anyone I have ever met. They are very welcoming and even acquiesce to my speaking french with them. The food is fantastic, all home cooked and sourced locally, some from their garden. Pierre leads a very adventurous life, including sailing and alpinism, including the Matterhorn (= Cervin).

They are also happy to regale me with some of their many biking tours, including Ireland in 2022. 

I spend the next day cycling about the town, visiting the chateau, jardín de plantes and the ville vieux (old part of town). Similar to other french cities I have visited, there is lots of bike friendly infrastructure and large parts of the city are not accessible to motorised vehicles.