It had been a long time since I slept this well.

The combination of a restless night on the ferry, a full day on Guernsey and then crossing a third of France left me so tired that as soon as I lay down, I was gone.

Today I continue with my plan of crossing rural France and spend another day enjoying the open landscapes that make driving here such a pleasure.

The weather is on my side again. I wake up to a blue sky without a single cloud. A true promise of another good day of TWIKE travel.

Huge nuclear plant
Huge nuclear plant

Just like yesterday I choose the smaller roads, passing from village to village and taking in a few towns along the way.

I am curious what the road will bring today.

More long stretches of deserted roads
More long stretches of deserted roads

The morning is without highlights. Quiet backroads, a stop at a boulangerie for croissants that crumble in the hand and long stretches of time with the TWIKE’s motor humming while I listen to my intergalactic mixes. It is all very simple and very satisfying.

By midday I reach Burgundy and arrive in Auxerre, a town on the banks of the Yonne River with a long history that shows in its many narrow streets and churches.

Arriving in Auxerre
Arriving in Auxerre

I don’t really need to charge here, but it has become so easy to pull up to a station and leave the TWIKE plugged in while I wander around that I just do it anyway.

The spot I find is right outside the town centre, with a view of the cathedral rising above the rooftops. A fine place for a pause.

Mid-day charge in Auxerre
Mid-day charge in Auxerre

I set off to explore the centre of town, hoping to find a place for lunch where I can sit and watch the world go by.

Auxerre - main Cathedral
Auxerre – main Cathedral

Auxerre turns out to be charming, with narrow streets and half-timbered houses that give it a special character. It feels timeless and very welcoming.

Parts of the town look like a movie set from a fantasy film.

Auxerre - Fairytale-like inner city
Auxerre – Fairytale-like inner city

Eventually I find a little restaurant called ‘Le Biarritz’. The service is brisk and efficient, and before long I am settled with a plate in front of me.

The bistro I had my lunch in - very French
The bistro I had my lunch in – very French

Lunch is another French classic, a Croque Monsieur, simple and satisfying, served with cider. It fits the day perfectly.

A French classic: Croque Monsieur
A French classic: Croque Monsieur

With lunch done, I set off again toward the Chablis valley. It is a region I already know I will return to, with its rolling vineyards and countless small ‘caves’ where wine is poured and shared. Not for today, but soon.

Lots of good wine in this region!
Lots of good wine in this region!

Further along the road the horizon opens again, and the fields stretch endlessly under a seemingly endless sky. The heat rises steadily: the beauty of it all makes up for the discomfort of having to rehydrate without being really thirsty.

I find myself smiling often, just happy to be here and to keep going.

Where France's agriculture happens
Where France’s agriculture happens

As yesterday, here is a 30-minute hyper-lapse that gives an idea of the landscapes and the quiet roads I was following.

From time to time I cross canals and come upon small villages tucked along their banks. Each of them has its own quiet charm.

A village along the many channels
A village along the many channels

Sometimes the road demands a stop. When I pass a stately building, I take a moment for a picture with the TWIKE. These pauses are part of what makes traveling like this so enjoyable.

Works well here, too!
Works well here, too!

The afternoon gets hotter and I start to struggle to keep up with drinking enough water. At 38°C everything is super hot, even so the day still feels rewarding.

It's HOT!
It’s HOT!

As someone who has spent time in France, I know there is a simple way of dealing with the heat: Brume.

This is essentially mineral water in a pressurised can. With a press of the button a fine mist surrounds you and takes the edge off the heat. I found one from Aix-les-Bains, a spa town in the French Alps known for its springs.

Battling the heat I
Battling the heat I
Battling the heat II
Battling the heat II

The landscapes helped. No matter how hot it was, the countryside stayed calm and beautiful, with skies that seemed endless.

Endless blue skies and flat roads
Endless blue skies and flat roads
More small villages to cross
More small villages to cross
More big skies over France
More big skies over France

My destination today is Vittel, a town well known for its mineral water, drawn from the Vosges region. The name is known globally, even if the brand itself is now part of a large company in Switzerland.

Another Nestlé water bottling brand: Vittel
Another Nestlé water bottling brand: Vittel

The arrival into town is impressive and I feel a sense of anticipation.

I plan to stay at one of the old grand hotels. No reservation, just the usual approach of showing up and asking for a room and a place to charge the TWIKE.

Entering Vittel
Entering Vittel
How's the water going to be?
How’s the water going to be?

The hotel looks even grander in person. It must have been a special place in its prime, and today it is finding a new role as a venue for events and gatherings.

My stay tonight
My stay tonight

After speaking with the staff I set up a charge and felt relieved to be settled. That was until the owner appeared.

Creative cable routing for the night
Creative cable routing for the night
My parking space for the night
My parking space for the night

That was until the owner of the hotel arrived.

He explained that charging would cost at least €20, and more depending on how long I stayed plugged in.

Fortunately he was open to discussion. I showed him my charging receipt from earlier in Auxerre and we talked numbers.

My charge earlier today
My charge earlier today

I explained my consumption for the day, subtracted what I had already charged in Auxerre and suggested €5 for the overnight charge. That felt fair and he accepted.

I appreciated his patience and curiosity. He asked me questions about how charging works for other electric cars and what might be a fair price for them.

Afterwards I was enjoying the terrace with a cold beer…or two, finishing an entry of this blog with friendly voices around me.

With that, here are today’s stats.

TDGB2025 Day 8 - Stats
TDGB2025 Day 8 – Stats
TDGB2025 - Day 8 - GPS track
TDGB2025 – Day 8 – GPS track

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *