Art in Uzés.

After a wonderful night's sleep, we ventured out to discover the wonders of Uzés ... actually a few of those wonders were discovered last evening when we ventured to the tower to enjoy a glass of wine and the sights!

Our apartment (pied à terre) has access to a small terrace in the tower ... with panoramic views of the town!

We strolled down our street into Place aux Herbes where the Art Expo was underway.

Monsieur Honey discerningly checked out the various displays of art. 

The work of one artist appealed to us both ... that of David Jamin.

www.davidjamin.fr

We acquired our first souvenir of this trip ...  an acrylic painting entitled ...

"Trois petits au ballon rouge". 

The artist said it was inspired by his own young daughter.

In my eyes and heart this could be my three sons or any of our grandchildren playing with a red ball.

                 

The morning passed quickly and it was time for lunch ... We ate at a quiet corner restaurant on the square (Plancha).

I enjoyed Loup (bass) and Msr. had his favourite ... lamb chops!

 

                 

And today we had our first Café Gourmand of this trip ...

I had forgotten how delicious this was! 

We shared it of course ... as Monsieur Honey says " We can't let ourselves go!"

It was a great day in Uzés, we even found a "Brocante" that was open and of course we had to check it out!

After our busy day we returned to the comforts of our temporary "pied à terre"  for a quiet evening.

Making the Most of It.

Today (Saturday) there was not too much sunshine, with rain on and off most of the day that quickly altered the plans to do some outside activities and gardening. 

At midday, noon... we decided to go to town for a quick pickup and as we were heading out we decided to check out an advertised Brocante/ Vide-Grenier in Daglan in the Dordogne.

What a lovely village and deserving of a return visit on a dry, sunny day when we can stroll the streets, alleyways and enjoy a coffee at an outside café.

At the" Brocante/ Vide-Greniers" the die-hard sellers were set up with their wares in the rain sodden grounds, and the dealers with higher quality items were set up inside the  "Salle de Fêtes".

There was a beautiful dining room table with eight chairs that appealed to me today...but again too large for the suitcases.

Another item of interest today was the umbrella stand...but it came with no umbrellas which would have been useful.

An unique umbrella stand.

Some cast iron pots (planters), a bird cage, a garden frog...lots of things to add character to a garden.

What a novel idea...the drawer fronts are made of wine box lids.

What's behind this fence?

A lovely hidden garden.

A street view in Daglan.

The old "Mairie"..the Mayor's office/Town hall.

And behind gate number one.....

Surprises in Salviac.

May 9th...the 2nd holiday this week.

"The traveller sees what he sees,

the tourist sees what he has come to see." 

.... quote by G. K. Chesterton

On route to the Flower Festival in the village of Cazals, we got detoured in Salviac.

The commune of Salviac was having a "Brocante", the streets were lined with the habitants and shopkeepers and their wares and some dealers had set up in the square.

We decided to check out all the activity and have a quick wander through the streets, and then continue to Cazals.

Near the end of our walk, we saw a sign...directing us towards a Vide-Greniers in the Château.

Monsieur Honey and I both questioned .."What and where is there a Château in Salviac?

To our surprise, there is a Château.

Château de Lacoste, a high walled and unassuming building had opened it's doors to it's inner courtyard gardens for a Vide-Grenier.

The Château dates from the 11th century with additions in the 16th and 17th centuries is privately owned and in 1962 was desiginated a Historic Monument.

The photos say it all....such history and it even comes with it's own chapel.

As we entered through the doors we were greeted by this magnificent wisteria.

I spy with my little eye....the puppy is wondering...who are all these people? Do you see him?

As we left the Château grounds, we discovered the "Jardin Médiéval du Barry" right across the street.

These gardens were inspired by medieval times and are divided into several square plots.

1. A kitchen garden for food, plants for cooking. 

2. Plot for medicinal plants.

3. The Garden of Mary for cutting flowers (lilies, marguerites, etc.) to decorate church altars.

4. A plot for aromatics, dye and textile plants.

Throughout the garden there are "little people" overseeing the activity.  

The "little people" are made from old agricultural implements and have clay faces....they look like medieval monks to me...what a wonderful, whimsical garden decoration.

After our surprise discoveries, we went in search of a Café for a refreshment before we continued with our travels to Cazals. 

The restaurants and bars had set up extra outdoor tables and seating for today's event...as we approached a table, we recognized some old acquaintances.

A pleasant time of socializing and catching up was enjoyed. 

The weather looked like rain was approaching...so we skipped the Flower festival in Cazals. 

Instead, I enjoyed the wisterias and the many planters of geraniums spotted on our walk.