Does anyone know about Josephine Baker?

 Sunday 15 April 2012

Does anyone know about Josephine Baker?

Today we ventured to the Perigord Noir – Vallee Dordogne.

Our first intended destination was Beynac for Sunday lunch at the “Hotel du Chateau, Beynac & Cazenac”.

http://www.hotel-beynac-dordogne.com/

On route, we made at quick stop in La Roque-Gageac to view the village built in the cliffs where troglodytes lived 1000s of years ago.

From this destination, you can take a boat tour on a river barge similar to a pirate ship along the Dordogne River and view many of the Chateaux.

Gabares Norbert – http://www.norbert.fr/

After a delicious lunch, we drove up to the Beynac Castle, once a superb site for defence, now a superb site for views over the Dordogne. We viewed the castle, the fortress, and the awesome views of the surrounding countryside.

Next, stop on the tour, Chateau des Milandes in Castelnaud La Chapelle (former residence of Josephine Baker)

On our arrival, the Birds of Prey show was just beginning.  Here, we saw the Kestrel falcon, the Harris hawk, the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Barn Owl under the direction of a talented falconer. Due to the very windy weather (extremely cold) we could have flown away just like the birds.

We toured the Chateau built in 1489.

 

Josephine was born June 3, 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri; her mother Carrie MacDonald was colored.

Her passion was dancing and in 1925, she followed her love of dance by going to Paris and eventually joined the Folies Bergère.

In 1937, Josephine Baker first discovered the Chateau des Milandes and she rented the property until she purchased it in 1947.

Josephine fell in love with Milandes, calling it her “Sleeping Beauty Castle”.

An exhibition of the Music Hall icon’s life was on display.

On display, we saw many of her costumes including the famous banana belt made of only cloth and sequins which she wore during her perfomances in « La Folie du jour ».

Josephine wanted to prove to the world that children could live together in peace. She saw beyond borders and considered humans as one race, and created her “Rainbow Tribe” a symbol of a united and happy multi-racial family.  

Beginning in the 1950’s, she would adopt 10 boys and 2 girls from different religious backgrounds and nationalities.

Josephine was also heavily involved in the French resistance movement.

“For five years during the Second World War, Josephine Baker risked her life and proved that she was courageous, had a strong sense of instituation and was intelligent!” Captain Abtey-The Secret War of Josephine Baker.

She died in 1975.

Don't Miss a Market Day at Sarlat

Don’t Miss a Market Day in Sarlat

This town has been “described in the official French guides as the most attractive medieval town in France to have preserved intact its ancient buildings. But it is far more than that. Side by side with its medieval masterpieces are superb Renaissance mansions, and its impossible to wander through its little streets and alleyways without spotting some new treasure which you missed last time, be it a whole house or even a door-knocker ”…excerpt from Passport’s Regional Guides of France, Dordogne & Lot Arthur & Barbara Eperon.

Of course, Saturday is Market Day; this is one of the largest in the area with farmers’ stalls and food producers, but also linens, clothing and haberdashery with the vendors sprawling the many squares and streets.  

The environment is lively with strolling troubadours singing and dancing in the streets and organ grinders providing entertainment.

Apart from the usual stores selling clothing, kitchenware, and old fashion hardware stores, there are an immense number of shops selling regional cuisine such as foie gras, confit de canard, truffles, walnut oils, and of course wine and specialty liqueurs. And don’t forget the many restaurants and cafes lining the streets.

We basked in the sun when it made it’s short appearance in the early afternoon….sipping a coffee at a café in one of the squares.

The day was mostly cool and cloudy.

We wandered the streets some more before heading home.

A Friday in the Lot Valley

We spent Friday with K & M visiting various villages situated on or near the river in the Lot Valley.

First stop was Prayssac where the Friday farmer’s market was in full swing.

We were lucky today in finding another hollyhock plant and a foxglove of a good size for “Le Petit Gite’s” garden. We are certain to see the flowers on these plants.

Not too many photos of the market...here's a Lavender vendor.

Next stop was Puy-l’Eveque a village situated on the river. The tourism flyer states it’s  "Well worth the Detour ! "

Where did the name come from? “Puy derives from the latin word “podium: meaning a hill or a promontory.

The village was incorporated into the territory ruled by the bishop of Cahors at the end of the Albigensian Crusade (1227).

Today it is a quiet village.  The best viewpoint of the old quarter is on the far side of the river (left bank). We viewed the river from both sides…high above from the

Main Square

where the Town Hall is located and from the left bank below.

Our imported Canadian politician rubbed shoulders with the local candidates.

From here, we travelled thru wine country onto our next destination of Belaye, a very small commune situated high above the Lot River.

We strolled thru the lanes of the commune, with many photo ops for our Canadian visitors and viewed the ruined structure.

Our last stop was back in Prayssac, at our French Connection friends for refreshments and a quick visit before heading back to Gourdon.

Here is their tree which has had a massive haircut in December 2011. By August it will be fully leafed out.

Standing amidst the vines & dandelions, in the field next to our French friends. 

Stay tuned for more from Don't miss a Market Day at Sarlat, Sunday in Beynac & tour of Chateau des Milandes (former residence of Josephine Baker).