Showing posts with label Monpazier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monpazier. Show all posts

Friday, July 4, 2014

Monpazier Monkeys!



Friday ... the weather was dreary, cloudy and rainy!



We said "Au revoir" to Monsiuer Guy with hugs and kisses as we delivered him to the Bergerac airport to catch his quick flight to Belgium.

        

As we drove back we were in need of a break ... we stopped in the Bastide town of Monpazier for a stroll through the streets and a refreshment.


It turned out be ... "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia" ... no ... It was "Monpazier"!

A lightening strike knocked out all the electricity in the town ... we then enjoyed our beverages by candlelight and then the rain blew in ... 



Monsieur Honey scored another "Ricard" glass ...which we found out from the bartender are not available for direct purchase anymore and we also received a history lesson ... "Ricard" was produced after "Absinthe" was made illegal in France. 
Monsieur Honey acquired a taste for Ricard after his first taste of "Ricard" / "Pastis" last year!
It is a licorice flavoured liquor that you mix with water ... Enjoyed as an aperitif.



After the rain stopped we sauntered down the narrow streets ...


              


                        

Excitement was building in the cafés, French flags were flying high in support of their team that was playing in the World Cup tonight.

                  


I found a wonderful shop ... full of linens and kitchen gadgets, etc.


I didn't even have to step inside to be lured by the beautiful, eclectic things ...

Did Grandma go bananas?  

I couldn't resist the colourful tablecloth screen printed with monkeys and palm trees ... the colours will be perfect in our home and I think the "Grandkids" will love the "Monkeys" ... another great souvenir to remember our day in Monpazier.






Monpazier is a beautiful town ...


 
We then went to Gourdon for a light supper with Madame M. and watched the football match.
 ( Canadians call it soccer ).


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

" Monpazier " Moments

Market Day on Thursday in "Monpazier" gave us a good reason to visit this most beautiful Bastide. 

The village was a hive of activity with locals doing their weekly shopping and the influx of visiting tourists.  

Bastide towns were new towns founded during the 12th to 14th century to help protect the terrorities held by the English and French Kings.

Monpazier is a fortified village / commune  in the Dordogne department of the Aquitane that was built by the English in 1284 for Edward 1.

It has preserved much of its medieval architecture, including it's arcades and market hall which now houses many specialty boutiques/ shops and restaurants/ cafés.

But the village's charm does not end in the square, you can wander the many narrow streets and lanes within the walls and see many beautiful and interesting details.