Day: October 19, 2017

Another missive from Herman in rural France:

Yesterday we decided to see the walled city, (bastide), of Belvès, which is only about 20 minutes away from our town. But as normal, we took some side roads, roads which you would love in the 944. I think blue is a great color for the old Citrion, then on to a town called Monpazier for lunch. It is also a bastide, but with a beautiful square and stone archways dating back to the 1300s. We saw a little chapel and cemetery as we were driving, and according to the information nearby it was built in the 13th century. You see some of the frescoes below. The store fronts are outside the square of Monpazier. A flier in the window of a closed antique shop, and a woman enjoying a little lunch outside her pottery shop. Then something one doesn’t see very often. We ducked into the highest church in Belvès, and watched a woman who is restoring frescoes therein. Then as we left, a nice photo of Belvès. Photos don’t do the richness of the Dordogne justice. So many textures, good light, great roads and interesting villages. The villages are about to close down in part for the winter. Tourists are leaving, so only those shops that cater to the locals. Some of the others open on the weekends. It is beautiful here, and the right season to visit. Love those little skinny tires on the car—not much traction needed.