Dominique had made a spice bread that was great and homemade rolls with homemade preserves. It was all so good. We got a picture of our hosts - Dominique and Jean-Francois before we left for the day. Dominique is leaving to go north to see relatives so Jean-Francois will meet us tomorrow for breakfast.
Dominique and Jean-Francois at Bechanou
We left about 9 for Sarlat - a large medieval city. Enroute we passed Les Cabanes de Breuil where we were to have a "hike" on the day it rained. Perhaps next time!
Sarlat was great - a beautiful and clean city with lots of interesting buildings and TONS of restaurants. We'd like to come back here to enjoy this more perhaps.
The cathedral in Sarlat from the back
The graveyard at the Sarlat cathedral
Beautiful cobble stoned streets in Sarlat - beautiful
Sarlat church
Tim checking out the food in the covered market in Sarlat
The Gisson House in Sarlat - open for tours but we decided to pass
An old well in Sarlat
Front of the Sarlat cathedral
We then went to La Roque Gageac which is a scenic town on the Dordogne River. Several of the houses have been destroyed due to rocks falling from above. They even have the noted as "destroyed houses" on the city map. We wonder what is in store for the other houses that are under these precipices? The city is right on the Dordogne River and they have boat rides. We decided to walk around up the hill as far as we could instead of taking a boat ride. While walking around, we ran into a couple from Gainesville, FL who had been at the truffle hunting yesterday - small world????
The gabarre boat rides on the Dordogne River
The beautiful scenic city of La Roque Gageac on the Dordogne River
Quite strange - but they had lots of banana trees growing here - many lining the pathway up!
The church at the top of the hill in La Roque Gageac
View of the Dordogne River from up in the city
We could see this castle out in the distance - we visit there later today - Chateau Castlenaud
One of the houses demolished - they had a blue strap holding the sides together!
The view from the top of La Roque Gageac of the chateau (far right) and sheer stone walls leading into town
The main street in La Roque Gageac
View of the rock wall that had fallen on the city of Roque Gagec - destroyed houses 1/2 way up
Then we went to 3 castles: Beynac-et-Cazenac, Chateau Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, and Le Chateau de Fenelon in Sainte Mondane. Along the way we stopped in Domme Bastide Town and walked around. The only thing we really skipped in today's program was the L'elevage du Bouyssou geese farm. This was a very full day.
Beynac-et-Cazenac was started in the 12th century and was a feudal castle. Richard the Lionhearted lived here for 10 years until his death in 1199.
Beautiful views from the steep walk up to Beynac Castle
We were fascinated with the rock roofs - they can weigh up to 1 ton per square meter! We think these may last a LONG time!
Entrance to Beynac Castle
Beynac from the upper courtyard
The chapel at Beynac Castle
The great room inside Beynac Castle
View of the chapel and the River Dordogne from a watch post at Beynac Castle
View of the castle from the top of Beynac Castle
The River Dordogne from Beynac Castle
The kitchen in Beynac Castle
A watchman's post at Beynac Castle
The drawbridge into Beynac Castle - they rode their horses across this bridge then thru the kitchen to get into the castle
Some of the stables at Beynac Castle
This was cool - a cannon ball still in the outer walls of Beynac Castle
Beautiful views from every side at Beynac Castle
Beynac Castle
After our visit to Beynac, we stopped at the Le Donjon Restaurant for a coffee and ice cream. Yum. It was my "treat" for walking up the steep hill and visiting all over the castle.
Then on to Chateau Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, a very short distance away. It was founded in the 12th Century.
"Page Larry" holding a big sword!
"Knight Tim" - my knight in shining armor!!!!
One of the catapults that they had on display at Castle Castlenaud
Castle Castlenaud
There were lots of school children at Castlenaud and these were doing a dance in the kitchen - Cute
Castlenaud Castle inner courtyard
The view of Beynac Castle from Chateau Castlenaud
Castlenaud Castle
The River Dordogne from Castlenaud Castle - Beynac in the distance
They had lots of fighting instruments - a large cross bow at Castlenaud
View of the countryside from Castlenaud Castle
Castlenaud Castle
Castlenaud Castle
This castle had lots of military gear including armor, swords, bows, etc. Interesting
The ramparts at Castlenaud Castle
The majestic Castlenaud Castle
The church at the top in Domme Bastide Town
180 degree views from the gardens in Domme Bastide Town
Beautiful views of the valley below from Domme Bastide Town
Then we drove to Sainte Mondane to Le Chateau de Fenelon. This was our FAVORITE castle of the day. It was spectacular and dates from the year 1000. We enjoyed this a lot. And we especially enjoyed being able to tour on our own and not being in a group on a tour where the guide only speaks French!
Entrance to Chateau de Fenelon
Gate House at Chateau de Fenelon
This is where the soldiers took their horses to wash the horses' feet! Never seen this before
A 300 year old Lebanese Cedar tree
Lookout hut at Fenelon Castle
Fenelon Castle
Old well at Fenelon Castle
Courtyard at Fenelon Castle
A 250 + year old sequoia tree - gift from the US
Entrance to Fenelon Castle from what used to be a drawbridge
Fenelon Castle built into the rock
We decided to skip the L'elevage du Bouyssou - geese farming and head to Les Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac. We got there just before 7 pm when they were closing so we looked at some of it from afar rather then going in. Something to save for the next visit perhaps!
The Jardin du Manoir d'Eyrignac
We then drove to Saint Genies where we had planned to have dinner at Restaurant du Chateau. We looked and looked but it was closed - for good! So we got back in the car and drove to Les Ezyies to go to a restaurant we had discovered a few days ago. Saint Genies was quite scenic though and we got to walk all around.
The small village of Saint Genies
Back in Les Ezyies we parked and went to Le Vielle Moulin (the old mill) and the head waiter gave us a prime table outside by the gardens and river. Beautiful setting and we got to hear the stream rippling by as we enjoyed a great dinner outside.
The beautiful gardens by the river at Restaurant Vielle Moulin in Les Ezyies
Tim contemplating the menu at Vielle Moulin in Les Ezyies
As the sun set it started getting very chilly - and we had trouble getting our check. This seems to be the way it is done all over France. After asking for the second time, we got the "l'addition" - paid our bill and then headed back to Bechanou for our last night there. Another restful night.
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