Rocamadour

We couldn't resist visiting this famous site again. As a bonus there were very few other people there!

Some of the old gateways to the town

Probably its most famous view...

...now with Tine et moi standing near the end of the parapet.

Phil & Jade enjoying the view.

You definitely shouldn't have vertigo here!

Lacapelle Marival

It was time for our journey back to La Tranche but we planned a couple of stops on the way. We used to camp on the outskirts of Lacapelle Marival and Matt & Phil enjoyed looking around again.

But firstly I couldn't resist a morning photo opportunity, looking over the rooftops of Figeac.

This was the second château on the site in Lacapelle, built in the 15th/16th Centuries...

...and still very imposing today.

The Lord & Lady in front of their home?

Just opposite the château the small market place with a very inviting restaurant at its centre. Shame it was too early!

Cardaillac

I don't remember visiting Cardaillac with our three children when we used to camp nearby in Lacapelle Marival but since then Tine & I have visited several times.

We parked up near this church, practically hidden by catkins.

There were originally four towers, one for each branch of the Cardaillac family.

La Tour Ronde

I rested my legs whilst the others climbed to the top of la Tour de Sagnes.

Matt playing the fool behind Philippe.

A view from the top, the square tower (la Tour de l'Horloge) was once a prison.

Capdenac Le Haut

Positioned on the border of the Lot and Aveyron departments Capdenac Le Haut holds a very special place in our family's memories.

The main square in this medieval village, dominated by le donjon.

The entrance to l'Église Saint Jean-Baptiste...

...and a peak inside.

Jade, Phil & Matt taking in the view over the meandering River Lot far below.

A little further along there's a sign for the village's museum using its original name, Uxellodunym

And here's why the village is special to us: we spent several summers in this cottage

There's not a lot changed at all: the ancient fireplace...

...a decorative door knocker...

...the kitchen...

...and shelving in the kitchen, complete with a picture of Haworth!

There's the view I mentioned earlier, Tine joing the three youngsters.

What has the American Gothic painting got to do with our visit?

Impersonaters Nadine & Ryan in 2004...

...and Jade & Philippe in 2025!

Stroll in Figeac (2)

More wanderings in Figeac.

Le Palais Balène, an ancient residence from the 14th Century

Old, narrow streets...

...but sometimes just behind a door...

...there's a magnificent inner courtyard...

...where Tine's old piano teacher used to live.

A little more modern, but just as special: my inlaws' first house, still looking very much the same.

Stroll in Figeac (1)

Next morning it felt good to stretch our legs.

The beautiful River Célé runs through the town.

There are many buildings like this one, the top floor was originally open where locally grown  tobacco leaves were hung to dry.

It still says Le Glacier Café on the outside but welcome to Rémi's new bar, l'Alexandrie...

...and who should be serving? Loulou, of course.

We walked on to La Place des Écritures with its giant replica of the Rosetta Stone...

...which local 'boy' Jean-François Champollion deciphered in the early 19th Century.

Back to Loulou & Sylvie's for lunch and look who's joined us: Caroline. Three cousins not often together.