DAY ONE Châtellerault - Savigny-sous-Faye

Day One Gare Châtellerault - Camping Municipal Les Iris, Savigny-sous-Faye The route starts in Châtellerault in the Vienne Department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. After an early morning TER train, Châtellerault will provide time for breakfast and a brief look around the town before seeking out the start of La Ligne Verte.   Châtellerault has links with Scotland, namely, that in return for services offered to the Crowns of Scotland and France, the title of Duc de Châtellerault(1548) was presented to James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, Chief of the Name, and regent of Scotland during the infancy of Mary, Queen of Scots, and of France. However, he turned against the Queen in 1559, and his French estates and title were confiscated. This period in Scots history can be recalled to this day in the name of the village of Chatelherault in North Lanarkshire, Scotland - close to where the Duke of Hamilton once had a very grand palace and close to where I live. The spelling, for reasons unknown, (perhaps in writing or in error) is not exactly that of the town in France. La Ligne Verte is an old railway line converted into a cycle path and walking trails that runs from Châtellerault to Loudun, through the Lencloître area. This cycle route is known locally as Voie Sylvain Chavane. Sylvain Chavane, born in Châtellerault, was a French professional road cycling racer  between 2000 and 2018. The start of the ligne verte is reached from the east side of Pont Henri IV, then crossing the River Vienne and taking a short cycle through some city streets. This first day stage of the route ends at a campsite in Savigny-sous-Faye. Camping Municipal Les Iris 4 rue du Lavior, 86140 Savigny-sous-Faye FRANCE Tel: +33 5 49 90 70 59 Mobile: +33 7 71 87 04 09 E-mail: savigny-sous-faye@departement86.fr