Les Vignobles de Marmande

Location:  Lot & Garonne,  on the Bordeaux side of  Marmande, junction of  the D933 with the D813

At the junction of the Mont de Marsan to Périgueux road (the new D933) and the Agen road (the D813) on the edge of Marmande, there is an imposing roundabout suitable for the entrance to a town that is proud of its wines.

In the autumn the leaves on the vines have a golden hue, and the evergreens form an elegant backdrop.

The text announces:  "Vignobles des Côtes du Marmandais" (Vinyards of the Marmandais hillsides) 

Memorial

Location: Lot & Garonne, Marmande, D933, junction with D708

The D933 is now a smart new by-pass round the outskirts of Marmande, heading north towards Périgueux and Bergerac and South to Mount de Marsan. 

The recent construction has been an opportunity to build and design new roundabouts.  One of the most dramatic, on the crossroads with the D708 that leads into Marmande town centre, is topped by this powerful sculpture in memory of the holocaust.

Auchan, Villeneuve

Location: Lot & Garonne, D911, on the border of Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Bias, towards Sainte Livrade-sur-Lot, at the turning for Auchan supermarket

There is a scruffy, rubbish-covered small roundabout just at the entrance to Auchan hypermarket outside Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

From some angles, there is nothing much to see except road signs and traffic and then suddenly, there against the sky, is this surreal running figure.  Love it!

Strange "Spider"

Location: Landes, D824, entrance to Dax ring road coming from Mont de Marsan

It isn't a spider, because it only has six legs. And what are the three phallic symbols in the middle all about?

And I thought the red "D" with the swirl might be the logo for Dax, but it doesn't seem to be.

Then round the other side of the roundabout there are about a dozen painted posts.

All to be found on the ring road as you approach Dax from Mont de Marsan in the Landes.

The Cradle of the French Vine

Location: Languedoc-Roussillon, junction 37 of the E15/A9, for Narbonne (D32) and Narbonne Plage and Gruissan (D168)

Turning off the motorway at Narbonne and coming through the toll gates, there immediately in front is a roundabout with a huge wine pitcher pouring wine.

The flow of wine is more obvious in winter. In summer it is partly hidden by the foliage of what look like poplars.

The writing on the stone slab in front says "Narbonne, berceau de la vigne Française: Narbonne cradle of the French vine".

Wikipedia says: "Grapevines are said to have existed in the South of France since the Pliocene period - before the existence of Homo sapiens. The first vineyards of Gaul developed around two towns: Béziers and Narbonne."

Rond Point de Falines

Location: Languedoc-Roussillon, near Narbonne, D32 outside Gruissan, junction with D332

The D32 out of Narbonne meanders south east to Gruissan, a holiday resort in the Languedoc-Roussillon between two étangs (lakes) and the Mediterranean. At the entrance to the old fishing village is the rond point de Falines.

Here, framed by grass and olive trees, an abstract sculpture echoes the shapes of the fishing boats and the yachts in the nearby marina.

To one side flags of France and the European Union flutter in the breeze.

Books

Location: Charante-Maritime, turn-off 36 of E5/A10. Junction of D732 (west towards Gémozac, Saujon and Royan and east towards Cognac) and D137 (north to Pons and Sainte and south to Mirambeau)

A splendid roundabout is to be found just off Junction 36 of the E5/A10, a few miles from Pons in the Charante-Maritime. There is a large open book, with fine illustrated writing backed by a rank of upright books.

The open book says: "La Haute Saintonge: Terre de Charme, Magic des Pierres, Beauté des Paysages".

Haute Saintonge is a "communauté des communes" at the southern end of the Charante-Maritime and on the spines of the upright books are the names of principal towns and villages within the community.