Postcards from Lagrasse

#PostcardsfromtheLot#Lagrasse#Aude#LesPlusBeauxVillagesdeFrance

Can you see the rain? It didn't rain all day ... only while we were inside enjoying a delicious "menu du jour".

The day started out not promising great weather, actually the whole country of France is experiencing unseasonable, temperamental weather.

You can't do anything about the weather ... so you have to make the most of the circumstances.

After a quick visit with our landlords, Kay and Mark (who own / operate Sainte Hélène Chambre d'hôtes and rent out their amazing "French apartment" in Olonzac) ... we received some suggestions for today's outing and headed to "Lagrasse".

Lagrasse (Aude Dept) a medieval village is located in the valley of the River Orbieu at the foot of the Pyrennes ... it is a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" association. 

... "One of the most beautiful villages of France" it dates back to the time when the Abbey was built in the late 700's ... 

It was a day that my camera probably was thinking will she ever stop taking pictures ... so I hope I don't overload you with too many postcards?

                         

The covered Market Hall dates from the 13th and 14th centuries ... 

                  

The Blacksmith shop...

The remaining walls ...

                  

The picture above is of the cemetery within the monastery walls.

The Corbières Wine region ...

Monsieur Honey was ever indulgent and patient today ... Walking with me down the many streets and all the way around the walls of the medieval village.

Nice legs Monsieur Honey! 

Pretty lanes, pretty streets wearing many different coats of colour and some decorated with many pots of flowers ...

Love this stairway full of pots ...

Outside the café after the lunch hour ... this is a favorite of mine ... The colours of the umbrellas with the beautiful twisted plane trees in the background.

Hope you enjoyed travelling with us to Lagrasse and even on a not so perfect weather day ...

It was still a beautiful place to visit.

One Last Stop... Turenne, France

Turenne dating back to the 13th century is another village in France that has received the "most beautiful village" designation.

With it's towers, Turenne sits high above on top of a limestone cliff.

    The unknown village enroute to Turenne... 

    I think it may be called Ligneyrac.

    Entering the village of Turenne...

 Our tour of Turenne was damped by a downpour of rain and so our Sunday drive continued further north to the city of Brive.

 

As we entered the city we saw billowing black smoke rising high above the buildings and then the sound of sirens .... and "les pompiers" (the fire trucks) arrived.

   The Palace of Justice

   A Children's Amusement park in the Center, a mini roller coaster.

After being spoiled by all the beauty we saw in the villages of Martel, Collognes-la-Rouge and Turenne today, it was difficult to immerse ourselves in Brive-la-Gaillarde or perhaps it had been a long day and we were tiring and ready to call it a day.

...  Martel

... Collognes-la-Rouge

... Turenne

  Beautiful flowers growing out of the rocks on the roadway home!

Seeing Red

Our Sunday afternoon included a visit to Collonges-la-Rouge in the Corrèze Department.   

Collonges-la-Rouge has the designation as a "most beautiful village"!

"Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" is an independent organization that was established in 1982 by Charles Ceyrac the then Mayor of Collognes to promote the small and picturesque villages of France.

Collognes-la-Rouge was the first to receive the designation as "a most beautiful village".

This village was / is built from red sandstone....even the roads leading into the village are red.

The 11th century Church at one time housed Catholic and Protestant congregations at the same time. It had two altars side by side.

    Looking towards Heaven from inside the Church....

Upon leaving the Church, we were serenaded by two young men who were playing American Blues music.

Another tough Sunday in France....