Day One in Beynac

---

After a long day yesterday we took the opportunity to lie around for a bit. Our intention to prepare our own meals in our room struck a bit of a hiccup when saw the room instructions; “No food preparation in the room!” We might have to work on this little problem. So we made a start on the pastries we bought the previous morning and had a banana. The evidence was smuggled out later in the morning. Being good Kiwis we’ll come up with Plan B.
Nearby is the town of Sarlat which has diesel and an ATM, and we need both. Sunday in these towns is a day of rest for most businesses so took a bit of searching to get fuel. Sarlat has been declared an open air museum and you soon realise why it has this designation – picture perfect narrow little alleys and buildings at all angles. Cafes and restaurants were getting quite busy as the lunch time crowds were gathering. It was hard to say how many were tourists but most people appeared to be French, even the young man proudly wearing his All Black tee shirt. Our lunch was a delicious baguette filled with lettuce, cheese, ham and tomato made by us under the shelter of a market umbrella in a town square. Visiting medieval towns like this and seeing the locals going about their daily business was one of the reasons for coming to France.
On our return to Beynac we took a walk around the town. At the top of the cliff overlooking the town is a chateau. Houses seem to be built into the cliffs separated by steep narrow roadways. Below the town is the Dordogne River. Today the weather is 27 degrees and sunny – just about perfect. Being a Sunday there are lots of French people out for a Sunday drive and enjoying a meal at one of the many wonderful restaurants. What it must be like at the height of summer we can but wonder. We are pleased we are here at this time.
The day ended with the skies turning quite dark and a thunderstorm somewhere nearby.

---

Comments

[Ladywiththebabies]

Chocolat Movie
Hi, after seeing that photo of the river I looked up the Chocolat movie on Wikipedia and it says part of the movie was shot in Beynac. I thought I recognised it. Anyway just a piece of very useful information!

[Ladywiththebabies]

Chocolat Movie
Hi, after seeing that photo of the river I looked up the Chocolat movie on Wikipedia and it says part of the movie was shot in Beynac. I thought I recognised it. Anyway just a piece of very useful information!

[Miltonrabbit]

Chocolat
Now you mention it we can see where it all happened. The boats motor up and down the river taking sightseers. Must check out with the receptionist in the morning if she knows more about the filming.