Our journey moves us south to a village I read about a few years ago and have since wanted to visit. The place is called Oradour sur Glane and in WW2 was the site of a SS division massacre of all the inhabitants save 5 who managed to escape. The troops completely surrounded the village, rounded up all the inhabitants from 8 months to 80 and shot them all. As a memorial the Government decided to leave the village as it was when the Germans left and built another town to its side.
It is certainly a very atmospheric place although sadly it would seem few lessons have been learnt.
Onwards to Sarlat which is in the very foodie Perigord region. We first visited here over 30 years ago. The medieval centre is much the same and the crowds just as numerous. Like most of these heritage sites there are just a profusion of shops selling the same things - in this case anything related to geese and ducks. Foie gras in particular comes high on the list. Although there are apparently more humane methods applied these days, I am a bit wary about the ethics of la gavage and opted out of a trip to see it. So neither did we eat it, tasty as it undoubtedly is. But we still had our fair share of goose products - goose rillettes, goose breast, duck legs - the list is as large as my expanding waistline!
The old goose market square, above.
The market on Saturdays, below, is huge and sells pretty much everything, goose related.
Our campsite, below, was a short, steep climb from Sarlat. It had lovely views and also the opportunity of our first game of tennis.
I don't think rich food agrees with me anymore. It makes me dream. Other people's dreams are notoriously boring but I was concerned about the images of the former Open and U.S. Golf champion, Tony Jacklin and a duck. The final scene that awoke me in a sweat revealed said golfer lying seemingly dead but still in his trademark Pringle sweater amongst the semi-rough at Hoylake next to, what can only be described as a late mallard. I think I'll keep off the goose for the moment.
We're off to the Spanish Basque region next, so more when wifi next becomes available.
A bientot,
J&P
Hi Both,
ReplyDeleteGood to see the gastronomic delights are still the highlight of France! Not bad for an essentially bankrupt country! Press on to the sun !!!!!!!!!
Cheers
A + J