Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Oct 6, 2007 13:26:47 GMT -5
Several people have asked questions about the Dordogne at various points. Some photos might help to explain the attraction (at least for me, this is the "heart of France"). I don't have any pictures of the cave paintings (for obvious reasons) but here are some from multiple visits to the Dordogne/Lot/Vezere river valleys.
Dordogne valley from Domme (bastide town, a must see):
Ancient, simple little church in Domme (note that the bell is ringing - no electronic bell sounds here!):
In front of the shop of the puppet maker in Domme (but it appears he is the one pulling the strings):
View over the Dordogne from Beynac chateau (fortified chateau from 1100 or earlier, was under the control of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard Lionheart in late 1100s):
Exterior of Beynac:
View from interior of Beynac:
Great hall at Beynac:
View from Beynac ramparts:
View down to chapel of Beynac chateau (from about 12th c., still the village church):
Castelnaud, which was Beynac's historic rival (particularly during the Hundred Years War), now houses a museum of medieval warfare:
Moulin de Cougnaguet, on Oussye river (fortified grain mill from 15th century), a perfect place for a picnic on a warm day:
Interior mechanism of Moulin de Cougnaguet (still works, you can hear and see the wheels turn - they are horizontal in the stream because there is no drop to get power from falling water - and watch it turn out flour):
View through window to millstream:
Village of Loubressac:
Grotte de la Madeleine (one of a string of cave/cliff dwelling places along the Vezere river, largest being La Roque St Christophe, which were connected by sight lines and signal fires):
The approach to La Madeleine (note that at the left a small chapel was added on, through masonry construction, and includes a stained glass window):
Rocamadour (one of the stops on the medieval pilgrimage route to Compostello) from the village below:
Chateau de la Losse, on the Vezere river near Montignac:
St Amand de Coly (fortified 12th c. abbey dominates village), near Montignac (where Lascaux is located):
Antique fire engine (or espresso maker?), St Amand de Coly:
In short (these don't even scratch the surface), this is a great place to spend a week or so - wonderful food (see Holger's reports) and an intense sense of history (about 14,000 years' worth!)
Dordogne valley from Domme (bastide town, a must see):
Ancient, simple little church in Domme (note that the bell is ringing - no electronic bell sounds here!):
In front of the shop of the puppet maker in Domme (but it appears he is the one pulling the strings):
View over the Dordogne from Beynac chateau (fortified chateau from 1100 or earlier, was under the control of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard Lionheart in late 1100s):
Exterior of Beynac:
View from interior of Beynac:
Great hall at Beynac:
View from Beynac ramparts:
View down to chapel of Beynac chateau (from about 12th c., still the village church):
Castelnaud, which was Beynac's historic rival (particularly during the Hundred Years War), now houses a museum of medieval warfare:
Moulin de Cougnaguet, on Oussye river (fortified grain mill from 15th century), a perfect place for a picnic on a warm day:
Interior mechanism of Moulin de Cougnaguet (still works, you can hear and see the wheels turn - they are horizontal in the stream because there is no drop to get power from falling water - and watch it turn out flour):
View through window to millstream:
Village of Loubressac:
Grotte de la Madeleine (one of a string of cave/cliff dwelling places along the Vezere river, largest being La Roque St Christophe, which were connected by sight lines and signal fires):
The approach to La Madeleine (note that at the left a small chapel was added on, through masonry construction, and includes a stained glass window):
Rocamadour (one of the stops on the medieval pilgrimage route to Compostello) from the village below:
Chateau de la Losse, on the Vezere river near Montignac:
St Amand de Coly (fortified 12th c. abbey dominates village), near Montignac (where Lascaux is located):
Antique fire engine (or espresso maker?), St Amand de Coly:
In short (these don't even scratch the surface), this is a great place to spend a week or so - wonderful food (see Holger's reports) and an intense sense of history (about 14,000 years' worth!)