Photo, Saint-Cirq Lapopie, from Trekearth.com
This week we have edition II of those supermodels of French villages, the ones that are post-card ready. They grace the covers of of travel magazines everywhere.
Last week we circled around Provence, Bugundy, and the Dordogne. This week we’re off to the Lot, which has way more than it’s share of Kodak moments (It seems we may need another installment someday, for the Côte d’Azur).
First up is Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (photo above), a tiny village near Cahors. Rachel mentioned in the comments and it was on my list as well. It’s precariously perched, be prepared for an interesting drive to get there.
Then there is that famous town of Rocamadour, spilling down the cliffs. Famous for centuries as a matter of fact, as it is a pilgrimage site. How, one wonders, did they even build it? The town is full of monastic sites, churches, and the sanctuary of the Blessed Mary. The tradition for the faithful was to mount the steps, from the base at the Dordogne River, on your knees. At right, it’s pictured on a poster (photo from photorail.fr).
I see the shot belowt SO often, which is taken from the Perigord Noir (photo from meteocity.com). I’ve been, and I want to go back! There is a little boat you can take to make the trip between Beynac-et-Cazenac and La Rogue-Gageac, and catch the view of the medieval Château de Beynac high up on the hill. The towns are on the Dordogne river.
Can’t resist one more iconic photo. I’ve stood on this spot and marveled, more than once. It’s the view of the Dordogne River you will see if you walk to the top of the charming bastide town of Domme and peer over the edge. A peaceful spot except in August, when you will have to fight your way through masses of les touristes (photo below, redbubble.com).
Well, we could go on. As gorgeous as these villages are, there are so many less famous views to discover. Is it any wonder that France is the most visited country on the planet?
In the COMMENTS: For more beautiful villages, Susan mentions the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France designation, 157 villages chosen by an association started in 1982 by a French mayor. You can see the list here, along with planned village-viewing routes. Beth metions an old article, "In Search of the Perfect French Village" from National Geographic Traveler, which sadly I could not find on-line but I did find Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Spectacular Trips
Favorite BLOGS: A new one I've discovered, by one of our readers: Eileen's Travel Adventures. Eileen, a self-described travel addict, takes small groups to interesting places. Like an upcoming trip to Tuscany, Umbria, and Rome. Do check out her site.
And even if you're not an American in France you will like Jeff Steiner's Americans in France, which has all sorts of useful info about living in, or just traveling to, France.
Michel Sablet has a house in the Vaucluse (which they rent out sometimes), and his blog post this month at Our House in Provence is all about the very pretty town of Uzes, which happens to be a favorite spot of ours when we want to take a quick trip down south.
Favorite READS: reader Sue Wallace absolutely raves about Edward Rutherford's Paris: The Novel
, and Natalia agrees. This is the next book I will read (oh for more time to curl up with a good novel!) Meanwhile reader Mel is taken with Adam Gropnik's Americans in Paris: A Literary Anthology (and if there's anyone who writes prettier than Adam Gopnik, I don't know who it is).
Gee, I've run out of space and there's no room for a recipe. Next week, then!
17 thoughts on “The “Cover Girls” of French Villages, Part II”
Kind of funny to (re)discover his own country though the seasoned eyes of an expat…
Nice post as usual
One of my favorite blogs, thanks to Lynn, is Unexplained Absences” about a couple who traverse the canals of Burgundy on a mini boat. They do quite nice photos and there is one of a small chateau perfectly formed sitting on a canal bank in town. I think it is Le Vezay but I may be wrong.
To fellow readers of Lynn’s new book-would you use Ultralingua or Pimsleur? Rosetta Stone is used by the State Dept.
Lynn,
Another delightful post. And you’re right, there are so many to see and so little time.
I meant to comment on your Semur-en-Auxois post. We were there in 1998 when I first took my boys to France. We got some wonderful shots of the stained-glass windows in the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame (the windows that depict the humble professions of the day–baker, butcher. One our way to the airport several weeks later, our car was broken into and the three backpacks were stolen along with all the exposed film. Alas, the photos were gone. So we returned to Semur twice to replace those lovely photos only to find on one visit a wedding and the second a funeral. I believe those photos are not mine to be had. I do, however, recommend that others take a stab at it. The effort would serve you well.
Chris
We love the beautiful villages of France and know many of those in Provence and the Languedoc very well. In addition to Gordes, we love Roussillon, Cassis, and Seguret. Thanks so much for mentioning Our House in Provence blog. Have a great weekend.
I have Pimsleur & Rosetta Stone….when I want to brush up, I use Rosetta at home & Pimsleur in the car. There are some interesting ‘language learning’ podcasts on ITunes as well.
Such gorgeous pictures that I am especially appreciative to journey (now!) in my arm chair! When I see Rocamadour and realize what the pilgrims experienced on their knees…wow! (never mind my creaking joints!)
How blessed we are to see all of this through modern eyes!
Thank you, Lynn, for sharing all of these “Cover Girls” views with us!
I spent a fabulous 2 weeks in the small village of Rignac 10 mins. from Rocamadour. I took the hot air balloon ride of a lifetime right there! My balloon ascended up the side and over Rocamadour. To top off the ride, it was too windy to land as planned. The trip was extended 15 mins. and we landed in the yard of a chateau. Google Catherine Stock. She was my host in Rignac.
Another, not to miss village is Autoire not far from Rocamadour.
If I ever run away from home, you will find me in the Lot.
~Rebecca
P.S. The French cinema exhibit at Epcot/Orlando begins at Rocamadour.
Michel of the Sablet house blog is getting a lot of attention lately! I’m eating in his California restaurant next week. Quelle coincidence! Still waiting for a village I haven’t been to yet ;). I’ve been to them because Rick Steves says to go of course.
We spent a week in La Roque Gageac and then two days in Saint Circ-La Popie & loved them both. The serenity of the river, beautiful countryside and charming villages makes it a perfect vacation area. And the great food sure doesn’t hurt.
I had to comment on your mention of the novel Paris: The Novel. I just finished it and loved the background info on so many areas of Paris. While it is fictional, his depiction of Gustav Eiffel is great as is the history embedded in it.
Once again Lynn a beautiful post. I hope to see the wonderful “supermodels” in the flesh someday so to speak. Thank you!
When we visited St. Cirq Lapopie we stayed in nearby St. Gery at a charming B&B called “La Pommeraie” (http://www.vacation-key.com/location_6549.html) . While we loved exploring St. Cirq and hiking along the river, our true purpose in visiting the Lot Valley was to tour the paleolithic cave at Peche Merle.
( http://www.pechmerle.com/) Seeing footprints and paintings made tens of thousands of years ago was truly a humbling experience.
The region has gorgeous vistas at every turn and the Cahor wine is superb!
Hi Lynn. This was a great post – La Roque Gageac is one of my favorite towns. If you plan to do a Cote d’Azur edition please include the view of the port at Menton. Another of my favorites French villages. And thanks very much for the shout out for my architecture blog. As a new blogger it sometimes feels like my only readers are my husband and mother!
As a followup to the blog about pigeons, I was fascinated with them when I was in Paris, and wrote the following poem.
LA TOUR EIFFEL
I need not stand in line, like they do,
Awaiting an elevator to take me to the top,
I need not spend beaucoup de dollars on a diner complet at e Grand Colbert.
I have freedom!
I have Paris!
I am le pigeon!!!
Suzanne Hurst
7-05-03
Thanks for sharing – love the photos as always! I can almost smell the boxwood… mmmm!
I just went to your blog site after reading your comment at Lynn’s blog.
You are definitely on to something, the blog is well done and readable, and I am going to comment about it at Lynn’s blog. See if you get an uptick of readers, and good luck!
Thanks for lovely memories with these 3 photos.