Airvault - Underground

Airvault was known already to the Romans, who named the area "Aurea Vallis" ("Golden Valley"). First time I accidently entered the small town via a "detour" - and was very surprised not only by the church.
Meanwhile I know, that Airvault offers a great "chambres d'hote" and the recommendable restaurant "Cygne" next door. Very friendly ladies run the tourist office and guide the tourists. I even got key to the "Airvault Underground", where a medieval fountain and canal could be explored. Merci beaucoup.

The Voltaire is a good place to stay.

www.thevoltaire.com/

It is named after François-Marie Arouet. I learned, that his parents owned property here and young François-Marie may have spent summer holidays in or around Airvault. When he choose a pen name - he may have inverted the syllables of Airvault and so since 1718 François-Marie Arouet was known under the name Voltaire.