Monsieur et Madame Francophile

Well after 2 weeks in paradise it is time to move on. During our time there we met a fabulous young couple who have created their own haven in Aquitaine. Their vision, and sympathy towards buildings, natural materials and nature were second to none, and we were certainly privileged to house sit for them. They have the most beautiful and HAPPY baby I have EVER seen - and I have seen a few! The other people working there were very welcoming and all had stories to tell about why they have found themselves in this part of France. I so love hearing about peoples experiences and adventures. What makes us who we are is everyday life and skills, how you use them, and having the courage to be different or take a chance. Its so important ... read more

Millau Ardeche Auvergne The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France. The bridge was built to relieve the congestion caused by the flood of motorists heading south from Paris to Spain. You can now drive on the motorway from Clermont Ferrand to the Spanish border - the only toll charge you will pay is to cross the viaduct. 8.90 euros in July & Aug 7 euros the rest of the year. Pay! it is worth every penny. “Designed by the French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster, it is the tallest bridge in the world with one mast's summit at 343.0 metres (1,125 ft) above the base of the structure. It is the 12th highest bridge deck in the world, being ... read more

Bonjour amies, Friday 9 May - Sabarros Woken early again by the dogs - no lie ins for the wicked here! Set off to the market at Loures-Barousse - when we got there it was only 4/5 stalls. After a quick walk round we decided to head back. On the way we noticed a sign for some caves and thought we would go a-wandering, We came upon St Bertrand de Comminges a commune in the Haute Garronne department. It is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France Association. I have discoverd that villages actually pay for this honour so it does not mean that you won't find even more beautiful places that don’t have this recognition, and will be less packed with tourists. In fact when we climbed up to the Cathedral it ... read more

Rudyard Kipling A Song of French Roads -1923 Now praise the Gods of Time and Chance That bring a heart's desire, And lay the joyous roads of France Once more beneath the tyre- So numbered by Napoleon, The veriest ass can spy How Twenty takes to Bourg-Madame And Ten is for Hendaye. Sixteen hath fed our fighting-line From Dunkirk to Peronne, And Thirty-nine and Twenty-nine Can show where it has gone, Which slant through Arras and Bapaume, And join outside Cambrai, While Twenty takes to Bourg-Madame, And Ten is for Hendaye! The crops and houses spring once more Where Thirty-seven ran, And even ghostly Forty-four Is all restored to man. Oh, swift as shell-hole poppies pass The blurring years go by, And Twenty takes to Bourg-Madame, And Ten is for Hendaye! cent... read more

Bonjour - a few fast paced blogs coming up so we can catch up! Saturday morning we planned to head for Bordeaux but changed our minds and headed straight down across country, it was a spectacular drive. We stopped for a rest at a small town the name of which escapes me for now - but I will look it up and edit this entry. As with everywhere in France there was an old chateau and I was, as usual, taken with their war memorial sculpture - I always find them so creative I like how they encourage you to ponder when you are looking at the images - what do they say to you? - see pictures when I can manage to upload them from iPad, its being very stubborn. Our route passed through part ... read more