Domme & La Roque-Gageac

We’re heading back to La Tranche for the summer now. But let’s stop at a couple of beautiful spots en route!

Loulou & Sylvie recommended Domme…

…and its hilltop position certainly merited a visit.

However the very picturesque village was invaded by a TV film crew and it was very difficult to get around

It looks pretty quiet in my photos though!

Jacquou le Croquant seemed oblivious to it all (a fictional character from a 1899 book based in this area). 

Next stop, La Roque-Gageac…

…a medieval village nestling alongside the Dordogne river…

…and a good place to buy a sandwich for lunch.

Final stop, Grun-Bordas where we caught up with Anil, Anita & Arun, 'little’ Arun here towering over Tine!

Lunch & visits

We climbed to the top of the village and were treated to lunch by Jo, niece Caroline’s partner.

Sister & brother reunited!

Locally produced sausage and our favourite aligot mashed potato, complete with a ‘Canailles’ mascot!

By then Caro had finished work so we finally got to visit their house…

They have a quirky taste in decoration. Star Wars anyone?

On the way back to Figeac we stopped at Salles-la-Source with its impressive waterfall

The obligatory group shots…

…and a sneaky view of a rainbow.

Back in Figeac a meal outside with Rémi and a few friends. Memories of family meals under these vines in past years.

Le Canyon de Bozouls

… otherwise known as the le Trou de Bozouls, a naturally formed chasm in Aveyron first visited by us in 1993.

On our way down we spotted several typical Quercy houses…

…and not-so-typical horse statues.

People live at the bottom of the canyon…

…and across in the other part of the village, precariously close to the cliff edge.

It's a bit of a trek to get to church on a Sunday!

Of course it’s the force of water that’s created the canyon…

…but not flowing too fast on this day.

Look carefully and you might spot a snake resting on  a rock!

As a little post-script, this is where I damaged the meniscus in my left knee, now happily on the mend 4 months later after cortisone treatment!

Les Canailles bar

Nephew Rémi opened his new bar earlier this year and we finally got the chance to visit in June. Already it’s a great success and we’re really proud of him.

Tucked away but very near to the market-square from my previous post…

…it certainly looks very welcoming after dark!

‘Les Canailles’ in English? Try mob, rabble, rogues, scoundrels, but perhaps best colloquially as rascals!

Open from Thursday to Sunday the bar becomes more of a club later on…

…but guests of all ages are welcome, even your faithful 72-year old blogger!

A couple of short clips to show the party atmosphere…

…and one to show Tine & Rémi in full jive action!

Return to Figeac

It’s always great to get back to Loulou & Sylvie’s

This time, a new staircase up to the balcony, Sylvie holding court as always!

Not the best weather but we managed a dip in their pool when the sun broke through

Sylvie & Tine marching on ahead…

…in the old medieval streets.

Tine & Loulou purchasing some charcuterie on the market…

…and more shots of the ever-colourful Saturday tradition.

Of course, a little apéritif was very welcome by l’Hôtel de la Monnaie