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00:03Mix together two celebrities.
00:05How can you pack when you don't know where you're going?
00:08I haven't been as excited about something in a long time.
00:11Their destination unknown.
00:13Riga, where's Riga?
00:14Amsterdam.
00:15Throw in another twist.
00:17They must choose an envelope.
00:19Are we ready?
00:20I can't do it.
00:21I have a very bad feeling about this.
00:23One will get a luxury trip.
00:26I'm nervous.
00:27While the other one will travel budget style.
00:32This is High Road, Low Road.
00:35This is amazing.
00:36Amazing.
00:43It's one of them things you say yes months ago.
00:47You gotta be grand.
00:48Then it comes, you go.
00:49Why did I say yes to this?
00:50But no, excited.
00:52Charlene McKenna is an award-winning actress of stage and screen.
00:56She's best known for roles in Raw, Peaky Blinders and Ripper Street.
01:01I'm thinking Terminal One.
01:03That leaves only 500 destinations.
01:05I don't know.
01:06I want to know when do we get the envelope.
01:08It's exciting.
01:09I am a bit nervous.
01:11But I know who my travel companion is.
01:13So I'm excited to see Charlene.
01:15Cathy Kira-Clark is also an actor.
01:18Best known for her role as Aunt Sarah in Derry Girls.
01:22She's also starred alongside Charlene in the BBC drama Bloodlands.
01:27Nantes, Lanzarote, Amsterdam.
01:29I mean anywhere is fine.
01:30It doesn't matter where we go.
01:32We are excited to do this together.
01:33This is the main thing.
01:34It's the adventure.
01:35Well, okay then.
01:37Where will this adventure be taking place?
01:40Here's your destination.
01:43It is a good day to Nantes!
01:45Yay!
01:47I'm very happy.
01:48So it's the pastries and muscadet wine of Nantes in France for our celebrities.
01:53But who will be going high and who will be going low?
01:56I'll do it.
01:57Okay, thanks.
01:58Oh, wait, wait.
01:59Oh, I can't get it.
02:00No!
02:01Of course!
02:03I knew it.
02:05Oh, she's bougie.
02:07She's bougie.
02:10A one hour, 40 minute direct flight from Dublin lands our celebrities into the French city of Nantes.
02:18On arrival, Cathy makes her way into town via bus and tram.
02:22But not our Charlene.
02:25This is when you know you're fancy.
02:27Yes, fancy.
02:28And a fancy hotel to come, I assume.
02:31Where is my butler?
02:33Dragging your own bags through the street, Charlene.
02:35Oh, no.
02:36That's not the high road way.
02:38Two grey doors.
02:39I'm intrigued.
02:41Not what I was imagining for luxury.
02:45Yep.
02:45That's what I was thinking too.
02:47Oh, my.
02:48Oh, my God.
02:49It's huge.
02:51Go on.
02:52Try some doors.
02:53Oh, my God.
02:54Beautiful.
02:54The butler in the next room.
02:56There's so many doors.
02:58This is so not what I was expecting.
03:00God, it's so big.
03:01Keep going, Charlene.
03:02Open some more doors.
03:04So, this is bedroom number four.
03:06Should I do a different bedroom every night?
03:08I can't wait.
03:09Therese Royale Au Coeur offers a spacious apartment right in the heart of the city.
03:15The property features four bedrooms, two bathrooms.
03:19There's a kitchen, a sun terrace and free Wi-Fi.
03:22Oh, and there's this.
03:25I mean, it's fine.
03:27It'll do.
03:28My little pied de terre, my little apartment in the city.
03:32I'm going to go home with notions.
03:37Oh, my God.
03:38Oh, my God.
03:42It looks gorgeous, actually.
03:44Okay.
03:45No lifts.
03:53The bed tastes fine.
03:55It's clean.
03:55Oh.
03:56It smells very fresh.
03:59Located in the suburbs, Hotel Ludie is a ten-minute tram ride away from Nantes city centre.
04:06The colourful rooms are en suite with high-pressure showers.
04:10The hotel offers an on-site bar, a pizzeria restaurant and a small grocery shop.
04:15And breakfast is sourced locally and available every morning.
04:19The window.
04:20Oh, that's really nice.
04:23The food looks good, actually.
04:31Nantes is a vibrant city in the northwest of France, on the Loire River.
04:36It's known for its rich history, its quirky artistic scene, its green spaces, delicious local food, and its muscadet wine.
04:45Over the next few days, our celebrities will get to experience the joys of Nantes, but from two very different
04:52perspectives.
04:56Over on the low road, Cathy needs a map that will guide her on the Nantes Green Line.
05:01We are...
05:02Right here.
05:02This green line is passing just there, and it goes a little bit all around the city.
05:06It's 18 kilometres.
05:07Ha!
05:08Which way will I go?
05:10The green line offers an invitation to roam the city and explore the must-see sights and some of the
05:17quirky installations.
05:18This is the Fête Balle Park.
05:22You've got all these curved lines there, and when you look into the mirror, it's straight.
05:29Go on, Cathy, bend it like Beckham.
05:32The hour, the fun you would have here.
05:35It's definitely a city that fully supports the arts and local artists.
05:39It's so cool.
05:40Every corner, there's something that makes you want to stop and smile.
05:45This is beautiful.
05:46It's a sleeping baby bear, and he's having his nails cut.
05:55And, I mean, look at this place.
05:57It's a private square.
05:58Can you imagine living in one of these?
06:00This little girl in bronze was commissioned as a response to this very strong male figure of war.
06:09And what Philippe Romain came up with is this little sprite, the polar opposite.
06:15I can't decide, is she getting up or is she getting down?
06:19When she's playing, she's got the holes in her feet for the rivets.
06:24Whatever's happening, she's not going to be rooted to the spot and to the past.
06:33Surrounded by a moat and strong curtain walls, the Chateau du Duc de Bretagne, or the Castle of the Dukes
06:39of Brittany,
06:39is an impressive fortress standing in the heart of historic Nantes.
06:44The castle was mostly built by Duke Francois II in the 15th century, and finished by his daughter Anne.
06:52Our Charlene is on a private castle tour.
06:55She was Duchess at the age of 12.
06:58She got ninth pregnancy.
07:00Only two child survived from the second marriage, which occurred actually in this castle.
07:05You see from the outside, very solid, resistant fortress.
07:10And once you're inside, it's like, wow, we have that palace.
07:14And it's very wide.
07:16It's very wide.
07:17I can't see any.
07:19We had more than 650 people coming to live within the courtyard of the Duke.
07:25Wow.
07:25This place was also used for living and drinking, if you look to these very important wells.
07:30So this is a very big well.
07:32Wow, it's so pretty.
07:33When did people stop living here?
07:37After the French Revolution.
07:39Now, as Charlene is on the high road, she gets exclusive access onto the castle rooftop.
07:46Ooh, here you go.
07:48This is high road.
07:49Whoa.
07:50I'm Queen Anne.
07:52Should we go to the edge?
07:53Hello.
07:54I'm scared.
07:56Oh, wow.
07:57It's so beautiful.
07:58I love that this has been here since the 16th century, and I'm scared to touch in case it falls.
08:05I'll take it.
08:06You take it?
08:06I'll take it.
08:12The city of Nantes certainly does boast some quirky sights.
08:17And at Machine de Lille de Nantes, you get to see mechanical contraptions galore, displayed in a plant-filled warehouse.
08:26But there's no doubt about the star of this show.
08:29It's this big guy.
08:33Look at the eyelashes.
08:37They're, like, so slow.
08:39Right.
08:40Well, what about the stats?
08:41This majestic elephant is 12 metres high and made from 48 metric tonnes of steel and wood.
08:48Its metal body is lubricated with 2,500 litres of hydraulic oil.
08:55And it can carry up to 50 passengers.
08:58But every Tuesday, I tend to ride an animatronic giant elephant the size of a two-storey, four-storey house.
09:09For the golfer on holiday in Nantes, there are several well-regarded courses to choose from in the area.
09:15The Golf International, Bayer, sits an hour's drive out from the city.
09:20All level of golfers are welcome here, even our Charlene.
09:24So, what's this called?
09:25This is a club.
09:26Yeah.
09:29No, does it have, like, a special name?
09:31Like, the drivers, the putters.
09:32Yeah, exactly.
09:33So, this is just a club.
09:34You have the sand wedge.
09:35Sand is, that's what I meant.
09:36No, Charlene.
09:37It's not a sandwich.
09:39He called it a sand wedge.
09:41I hit a ball.
09:43More balls.
09:45Nice.
09:45That was good.
09:46Yeah.
09:47I hate to say, this is quite fun.
09:49Yeah, nice fun.
09:51The Golf International, Bayer, boasts 45 holes across three golf courses.
09:57Charlene just has to negotiate one.
10:00You have four shots to go on the hole.
10:03Yeah.
10:03I won't need them.
10:04Well, I admire your confidence, Charlene.
10:07Woo!
10:07Yeah, nice one.
10:08So, do people just drive around looking for balls?
10:10Yeah.
10:11Oh, we found it!
10:12Woo!
10:14Go, go, go!
10:16Woo-hoo!
10:17Oh!
10:18Keep coming.
10:19For this shot, we will take the sand wedge.
10:22S for sandwich.
10:23No, Charlene.
10:24S for sand wedge.
10:25We have a bunker.
10:27Yes!
10:28I missed the bunker!
10:29So, I still use the sand wedge.
10:31Come on, Charlene.
10:32It's a sand wedge.
10:34Stop!
10:35Stop!
10:35Stop!
10:36So, what do you call that club, Charlene?
10:38This is the sand wedge.
10:39No, no.
10:40It's a sand wedge.
10:42Is it a sand wedge?
10:45That's his French accent.
10:47That is lost in translation.
10:49That's very windy.
10:51Nice.
10:52Go, go!
10:53Oh, God!
10:55That's not bad.
10:56Very good put.
10:58Nice.
10:59Perfect.
11:00Oh!
11:01Oh, and you're good.
11:04Hmm.
11:04I wonder if there's any sporting activity for Cathy on the low road.
11:08I picked up these bats for free in a restaurant.
11:11I want to play some ping-pong.
11:13I've got all of these tables, but no one to play with.
11:17No, voulez-vous jouer?
11:18Um, voulez-vous jouer?
11:21No.
11:21Nice command of the language, Cathy.
11:24voulez-vous jouer?
11:24Got a nice smile.
11:25voulez-vous coucher?
11:29Are you going to sleep with me?
11:31And that's still a no, Cathy.
11:34I'm going to call Charlene.
11:37Bonjour.
11:38I was wondering if you would join me.
11:40I'll think about it.
11:46Uh-oh.
11:47You're very good at this.
11:49Oh.
11:50Oh!
11:50What you got?
11:52Ah, very good.
11:53Come on, Cathy.
11:53Pick it up.
11:54Very good.
11:54Very good.
11:55Very good.
11:55Very good.
11:55Oh, yeah.
11:56Okay.
11:57Whatever that means.
11:58Ah, come on.
11:59Okay.
12:00So the idea is to hit it back and forth.
12:02That's right.
12:03Slow and steady.
12:05Slow.
12:05Yes.
12:06Steady.
12:07Yes.
12:07No.
12:08No.
12:09I was very good here to come down from the high road.
12:12You're welcome.
12:25On high road, low road, the vibrant, quirky city of Nantes has been the surprise destination
12:30for our celebrities and fellow actors, Charlene McKenna and Cathy Keira-Clark.
12:36Charlene struck lucky with the luxury trip, while Cathy drew the short straw and is travelling
12:42on a budget.
12:43Which way will I go?
12:47On the low road, Cathy has been making good use of the trans system.
12:51And she's doing so using the pass Nantes.
12:54This pass is brilliant.
12:56I've got complete access to public transport.
12:59That includes ferries.
13:00That includes everything.
13:01I've also free admission to museums, activities.
13:05You can get 24 hours.
13:06I've got a 72 hour.
13:07I've downloaded the app.
13:09Even I can do it.
13:10It's great.
13:12Now more art.
13:14And this city has plenty of it.
13:16The Musée des Arts de Nantes offers a vast collection of works dating back from the 13th century
13:22to the present.
13:24It's normally a 9 euro entrance fee.
13:26But as Cathy has the pass Nantes downloaded on her phone, she gets in for free.
13:32I actually studied history of art.
13:34You walk into all of these different rooms and there's just something that catches your eye.
13:39This painting you're absolutely drawn immediately to.
13:43I can sink into her cushions.
13:45I want to put that velvet dress on.
13:47I want to try all of her jewellery on.
13:51Oh, you can't come to an art gallery in France and not see a Monet.
13:56A soft focused dream.
13:58You can take that one off the list.
14:00It's Diana the Huntress.
14:03Everything about it is arresting.
14:05The light that is falling in on her skin and then this twist in her body.
14:11It shows the movement in the fabric.
14:14It's absolutely exquisite.
14:16I would come back to this city just to come to this gallery and spend a couple of days very
14:24slowly going through each of the rooms.
14:30Nantes is built on the Loire River, but it is also defined by another smaller river, the Airdre, which offers
14:37scenic walkways and recreational activities.
14:40Charlene and Cathy have hired an electric boat.
14:43Will we test this for speed?
14:44Let her rip.
14:45Give her the hickory.
14:46Give her the hickory.
14:47Never heard that.
14:48It's a Monaghan thing.
14:49It could be specific to my family.
14:50I don't even know.
14:51I'm determining it right under 85.
14:53Look at the 85.
14:54That's what I want you to aim for as well.
14:57Perfection, Charlene.
14:58Whee!
14:59Pull the arm break.
15:01We're just doing donuts.
15:02We're going to come centre.
15:04Okay, go.
15:05Do you drive chars?
15:06No, I don't drive anything.
15:08Okay, here we go.
15:09Whoa.
15:10Get the water.
15:10Get the water.
15:11Straight ahead.
15:12Straight ahead.
15:12Straight ahead.
15:13I'm not looking.
15:15I'm not looking either, Charlene.
15:16Are we in the middle?
15:17Middle of what?
15:19The river.
15:19I know.
15:20Middle of these boats.
15:21The middle.
15:24I feel like I'm on a date.
15:26I know.
15:26Do you think we'll get a second date?
15:28I hope so.
15:29But I hope I'm high road.
15:32Ah, what fun they're having.
15:34So how did they meet?
15:35We went to a writer's retreat on which we weren't writers, we were actors.
15:41Yep.
15:41We got on great.
15:42We got on great.
15:42So we worked together then on Bloodlands.
15:45Yeah.
15:46And I felt like I got to know you quite well then.
15:48And it was very glamorous.
15:49We had a lot of time.
15:50It was like a big gravelly car park and now we're here.
15:53And now we're here.
15:53I feel like we've peaked.
15:55I hope not, ladies.
15:56Your trip to Nantes not even over yet.
16:02Over on the low road, time for a traditional Nantes cake.
16:06This looks amazing.
16:07But I am here for a slice of the famous Gato Nantes.
16:11I've been told, I think, am I going in to bake one of these now?
16:15Let's go bake a cake.
16:18Ah, you can't be.
16:20This, of course, is very special access for Cathy.
16:24Ground almond.
16:25It's going to be hotter to whisks now.
16:27A little bit more elbow grease.
16:28Yeah, exactly.
16:29Give you this one.
16:30Thanks.
16:31Well, obviously not enough elbow grease, Cathy.
16:34Just a little bit of butter.
16:36We are missing one.
16:37We are missing one ingredient.
16:38The rum.
16:39Yeah.
16:40And is it free pour?
16:41No.
16:41We have to...
16:43About 50 grams.
16:45Ooh!
16:45Steady on there, Cathy.
16:47Thank you, too.
16:52We have to ice the cake.
16:54When it's cool, it's a bit more like this.
16:58Congratulations.
16:59So the proof is in the pudding.
17:01Mmm.
17:02It's really veg.
17:03And I think I got my cake because it's got a bit of extra rum for sure.
17:11Now, did you know that the closest vineyards to Ireland are right here in Nantes?
17:16There are over 350 wine growers in the region, mostly growing one unique grape, Melon du Bourgogne,
17:23from which they make the famous Muscadet wine.
17:27This is 20 minutes outside the city.
17:30And you're suddenly in this vineyard heaven in the Muscadet region.
17:34And I'm very, very, very excited.
17:36Because I've been to a vineyard in Italy, in the Piedmont region, but I've never been in France.
17:41And this has been a dream of mine.
17:43Bonjour.
17:44Bonjour.
17:45All right.
17:45All three Muscadet.
17:47Exactly.
17:47Okay.
17:47This is our classic wine, Domaine de la Pépière.
17:50Okay.
17:50It's very fresh.
17:51It's too fresh.
17:52You could drink a lot of this.
17:56Why do we have an egg?
17:58Oh.
17:58And is it concrete?
18:00It's concrete.
18:01Exactly.
18:01We prefer using neutral vats.
18:04That don't add flavor.
18:05Exactly.
18:06Because our Muscadet is very delicate.
18:10So you see, it's still fermenting.
18:12Yeah.
18:12You have the bubbles.
18:12You have the juice, which is still unclear.
18:15That's really nice.
18:16Yeah.
18:17I say bottle.
18:19Would you like to test another one, which is called Gras Mouton?
18:21Gras Mouton.
18:22Gras Mouton.
18:23Fat sheep.
18:24Fat sheep.
18:25Yes.
18:25Like fat sheep.
18:27Oh, it's very, um, is it robust?
18:30Full?
18:31Yeah, round.
18:31Yes.
18:32Oh, I'm learning.
18:33They're all beautiful.
18:35Do I get like a certificate?
18:37I've graduated in Muscadet.
18:38You're good.
18:39Why?
18:44Located on the banks of the Loire, sits a powerful memorial to the abolition of slavery.
18:50It's a solemn reminder of Nantes history as an act of slave trading port in the 18th century.
18:56It is to memorialize the victims of the slave trade.
19:01So all of this represents ships.
19:04Naming ships that left from Nantes.
19:08From the 18th to the 19th century, thousands of expeditions left the banks of the Loire,
19:13carrying commodities that could be exchanged in Africa for captives, who would then be transferred
19:18across to the Americas.
19:19The underground part of the memorial is on purpose made underground to remind us the conditions
19:27of the trip between Africa and America.
19:31There are many things written over the centuries everywhere in the world.
19:35For example, you've got the name liberty and freedom written in like 50 different languages.
19:41I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else's freedom.
19:46Just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me.
19:50The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
19:55Nelson Mandela, 1994.
20:00It's deeply, deeply moving, yeah.
20:02I would say it's very important.
20:04I would say it's essential.
20:05To come and see the memorial because I think it's great to see all the beautiful architecture
20:09and all the art and the food.
20:11But you need to be rooted, I think, in the whole history of a place.
20:16Oh, it's very sad.
20:18It's very, very sad.
20:30Along the Loire River sits the village of Tronte-et-Moules, which offers a radical change of scenery
20:36from the bustling city of Nantes.
20:38It's a colourful former fishing village with vibrant houses and an artistic atmosphere.
20:44And Cathy's on her way there with a rented bike, which she can take with her on a short ferry
20:50ride.
20:50And it's free with the app, the Pass Nantes.
20:54It's fantastic.
20:57Woo-hoo!
20:58This is an 800-kilometre cycle lane.
21:02I think I'll probably do 0.8 kilometres.
21:08It's really worth taking the ferry across.
21:11You've got the most quaint, gorgeous cobbled streets, houses and the shutters.
21:18I think I haven't been on a bike, I don't dare say, in certainly 20 years.
21:23I feel like I'm still able to ride a bike. I'm doing it.
21:26Ah!
21:27And that's gorgeous.
21:29That's beautiful.
21:32You've got to have a crepe when you're in France.
21:35This is really good.
21:36I feel like I've completely chilled out since I got here.
21:40And I would very happily stay here for another month.
21:44C'est magnifique.
21:49Over on the high road, Charlene has arrived at Atlantide Maison Gaillot for some fine dining.
21:56I was very excited when I found out about this meal.
22:00Come on now.
22:01Feed me.
22:01I believe I have a little vegetable cracker and some mackerel.
22:05It's long time.
22:06Fishy, but really nice.
22:08I'm more concerned about this one.
22:09It's a big mouthful.
22:11This is fishy but sweet.
22:13There's a Parmesan biscuit.
22:14And then it's like a fishy mousse.
22:16That might be my favourite.
22:18This smells like very fancy bread.
22:20Tis not a Brennan's batch.
22:22A mousse bouche.
22:23Mmm.
22:23I could eat a big bowl of this.
22:26This is a beignet on a giant sheaf of corn.
22:29Fancy restaurants are stressful.
22:31Oh, warm.
22:32I thought this was a beignet would be sweet but it's savoury.
22:35Double thumbs up.
22:36I think we have crab, radish, seaweed, radish cream.
22:41This is just heaven.
22:42We finally arrived at the main course.
22:45Tuna, spinach gnocchi, oyster jus, spinach bechamel, little moment.
22:53Mmm.
22:54This is cooked to perfection.
22:57I can't eat this.
22:58It's too pretty.
23:00Ooh.
23:01It's like apples and cinnamon and...
23:04I feel like these are tiny meringue flowers.
23:07Ooh!
23:08With a little citrony centre.
23:11I feel like Henry VIII.
23:12I feel so rich and full but in a lovely way.
23:22So how was your time in Nund?
23:24What?
23:25Would you come back or Nund?
23:26Absolutely I would come back.
23:28Very, very beautiful.
23:29Very kind of calm, little quirky pockets.
23:32It was a revelation.
23:34What was your highlight?
23:35Golf was amazing.
23:36I got really competitive with myself.
23:38The wine, the vineyard.
23:40I love learning about wine.
23:41And the muscadet was amazing.
23:43So what was your highlight?
23:44Our boat down the river was seriously...
23:47That was gorgeous. I loved that.
23:48Museum of Art was an absolute highlight for me.
23:51I would come back and go and do that over three days.
23:54I liked the whole set.
23:55He's a highlight for me.
23:56And I was very happy to share it with you.
23:57Me too.
24:28my friend.
24:28Yes he is.
24:29My name is John Matthews,
24:29I am a singer.
24:30He is an composer.
24:30My singer...
24:30You
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