Lunching in Paunat

Yesterday we lunched at Chez Julien in Paunat. It really was a lovely meal sitting under the spreading lime trees and umbrellas with the Cistercian Abbey looming up and sound of the stream trickling through the meadows.

Restoration

I recently watched a restoration programme where they retained the ruin and built within it with excellent results. Here is a version in Bergerac where they have restored the building so that it is watertight and usable but the ancient construction is very evident.

Parched earth

Our glorious summer continues but the prairies are definitely looking in need of some respite and rain. No doubt it will change soon enough as September arrives next week although we usually continue with our outdoor living until the mid/end of October.

Monbazillac wine

Monbazillac is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée for sweet white wine produced in the village of Monbazillac on the left bank of the Dordogne River just across from the town of Bergerac. The appellation covers almost 2,000 hectares of vineyards.

This view towards the Chateau de Monbazillac of meadow flowers and rows of vines is simply delightful.

Potager in town

On a visit to Bergerac we  came upon this wonderful ‘kitchen garden’ in the middle of a street in the old part of Bergerac town. The vegetables looked really healthy and tempting and were watered by a gentle cascade that came from the grass umbrella!

Cyrano de Bergerac

Although, to the best of my knowledge, Hercule-Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac never lived in Bergerac it is claimed he was the son of Abel de Cyrano, lord of Mauvieres and Bergerac and as he was a famous French dramatist  and duelist Bergerac has claimed him and erected a statue in the old part of the town . In fictional works about his life he is featured with an overly large nose, which people would travel from miles around to see. Portraits suggest that he did have a big nose, though not nearly as large as described in works about him. Cyrano’s work furnished models and ideas for subsequent writers.

Notre Dame de Bergerac

After many many months of restoration and cleaning  the scaffolding surrounding the Notre Dame de Bergerac came down in time for the ‘ Félibrée Festival’.

The church looks wonderful now and is bedecked with flowers until the end of the month.

Félibrée Festival

 The Félibrée came to Bergerac this year!

The Félibrée (Felibrejada in occitan) is an Occitan folk festival organized annually in a town or village of the Périgord, inspired by Frédéric Mistral and the Félibrige. The first was held in 1903 in Mareuil sur Belle. It is an extravaganza with several tens of thousands of people from all walks of life coming together to appreciate and safeguard the Occitan heritage and language .

This festival takes place on the first Sunday of July in a different city of the Périgord and celebrates the troubadours who once sang the language of Oc in all the courts of Europe. There are shows, parades of traditional groups with authentic costumes and musical instruments and crafts demonstrations. 

The town is decorated with spectacular decorations made of paper flowers.

Chateau Fenelon

This is one of our favourite chateau to visit. So much history and so beautiful. We even had clients stay at DdF who are descendants of the original family but who now live in Canada.

Shop sign

Living in a very historical part of France shop signs tend to be artistic. This pottery one is to be found in the very picturesque village of Lauzerte.