We headed off to Rouffignac - small quaint town and then to the Rouffignac Caves. We got there just in time as we bought our tickets and were told the next "train" was in "cinq minutes" - 5 minutes. We talked to a couple from Virginia while we waited.
Entry to the caves at Rouffignac where we saw the cave drawings - many more than yesterday!
After the 5 minutes our guide came and got us and took us further into the caves through a locked door. We got onto an electric train and Tim and I sat in the front seat. The guide explained about the cave in French with just a little English. He stopped several times on the way to show us cave drawings - in one color as opposed to the three colors we saw yesterday but the same animals. We ended up 1 km inside this huge cave and he told us we were 1/2 km below ground level. No pictures were allowed so I don't have anything to show but it was something. Again, pictures that were created over 15,000 years ago. There was also some graffiti with dates from the 1700's so people have exploring this cave for a while. The cave was HUGE. The last place he took us had the most drawings on the ceiling. Here the cave had narrowed and the bottom has since been dug out so the train could get through. Fascinating.
Then we drove thru Fenlac that Jean-Francois has recommended. A beautiful old church there and we went inside for a while to look. Then we drove to Montignac on the Vezere River and had lunch sitting by the side of the river and watching the ducks and birds. We talked to some people from England at the next table trying to get some help with our French but the waitress ended up being most helpful with every question. Tim had a salad with duck and I had some great lamb chops.
The old church in Fenlac
A beautiful cottage in Fenlac covered with ivy and flowers - beautiful
Inside the church in Fenlac
Montignac
Trying to look like a Frenchman (without my beret) having wine in Montignac by the Vezere River
The beautiful church in Montignac
Then we drove to St Amand de Coly that is a beautiful village with an old abbaye that was started in the 2nd century! We marveled at the rock roofs and their construction - picture below.
The village of St Amand de Coly
An old well in St Amand de Coly
Inside the Abbaye of St Amand de Coly
The guards house for the Abbaye of St Amand de Coly
The rock roof construction was fascinating
A fireplace inside the guard's house at the Abbey
The inside of a rock roof - these should last a long, long time!
The Abbabye de St Amand de Coly
Then we took a scenic drive to Filolie Chateau that had been recommended by Jean-Francois. He and Dominique say many of the castles are now owned by Belgiums and Dutch people. It is not open to the public but they allow you to park by the property and walk around it. It was beautiful. A nice level short walk around the property. Beautiful.
The Chateau Filolie near Montignac
Chateau Filolie
Then we drove along the Vezere River back to Montignac on a scenic, curvy road. We stopped at a pharmacy in one of the towns to pick up some things.
We got to Les Ezyies and had a coffee at a small café - no sweets for me this time! We picked up our laundry. Tim had thought it would cost 40 euros - I had guessed 30. It was 18.10 euros - less than $25 at the laundry to have her wash, dry and fold almost all of our clothes that we brought on this trip. We are so excited we have clean clothes again!
We returned to the B&B - Tim went for a jog while I worked on my blog. Dominique fixed dinner for us with a great salad with cheese in pastry and duck breast. Tim is getting his fill of foie gras and duck on this trip! We had a great after-dinner conversation with Dominique and Jean-Francois and then went to bed. Sleeping here is so quiet and peaceful and it was raining outside during the evening and night - hopefully our rental car will get a wash!
Another full day of adventures. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
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