Morning in Martel ....

09th June 2013

First stop on this "Sunday" drive was Martel in the Lot Department, situated near the Dordogne River. 

This town has seven towers. 

We ambled the streets viewing the towers, houses and shops and all seem to be built of light coloured stones of varying shades of white to grey with the only colour coming from the roof tiles, coloured doors and shutters and of course the flowers of the season.

A delicious lunch was enjoyed at Le Sans - Lys.... Monsieur Honey chose the lamb.

Our Sunday drive continued after lunch as we headed to Collonges-la-Rouge following this red Deux   Chevaux. 

Un Beau Coq, Monsieur!

Friday, June 7th....

Today our only firm plans were a lunch reservation at Le Caillau located in the vineyards of Vire sur Lot.

We went for what I would call a "Sunday Drive"... not really knowing where we were going and what we would see.

We came across a traffic jam.... 

   Un beau Coq ...A handsome rooster.

  

After all the commotion we continued through the countryside and arrived at Chateau Bonaguil, located in the commune of Saint-Front- sur- Lémance but is actually owned by the neighbouring town of Fumel.

This Chateau was constructed in the the 13th century and entirely rebuilt at the end of the 15th and early 16th centuries. 

Chateau Bonaguil was the last of the fortified castles and has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1862.

Next a stop in Puy l'évêque, before the drive through the vineyards and arriving at our planned destination.

Lunch in the courtyard at Le Caillau Café - Atelier located amidst the many Cahors vineyards. 

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch with our "British Connection" visitors in the sunshine. 

 

Here, we met an American family from Texas who were visiting France and we shared some tips/ favourite places to visit.

"Brenda" told us about a Lavender farm not far from where we are staying and which we will be sure to visit and also a restaurant in Montcuq...which is where we are going to have lunch today (June 13th).

Le Caillau will be the subject of another post...as this Sunday they are having a Musical Soirée that we are attending...stay tuned!

After our delicious lunch, we continued thru the vineyards ...a quick stop at the Brocante in Grezels and then on to our "French Connection" friends in Prayssac for a visit.

It was another busy day in the Lot. 

" 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.