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Today we met up with the Crocq butcher's beautiful daughter, Laura, and spent about 4 hours wandering around Aubusson. The weather was wonderful (a bit hot for me but it's typical for a Calgarian to complain about too hot weather!) - sunny and hot and very blue skies. Aubusson is a town famous for tapestries. It is in the confluence of 5 valleys. For 6 centuries it has been famous for tapestries that tell the stories of humanity. It has a very rich past and many beautiful old buildings such as houses with turrets, Tour de l'Horloge (a big clock tower on the hill), ruins of a chateau that was destroyed by Richelieu in the mid-1600's, an old, picturesque bridge that was built from the stones from the destroyed castle and the beautiful church Sainte-Croix. We walked around the centre ville and did some window shopping as well as visiting some tapestry "ateliers" (workshops) where we saw some artists at work on their tapestries. Unfortunately, the tapestries are VERY expensive and I won't be bringing any home with me! We also went to the Roseraie (Rose Garden) which was stunning. The Creuse River flows through the town and they use the
river to practice kayaking and canoing. We had a light lunch in a delightful little patisserie/deli. We will go back another day to see the Museum of Tapestry because our lovely guide wanted to take advantage of the good weather to ride her horse for a few hours. When we arrived back in Crocq, we went up to the top of the town and visited the Tour de Crocq and the Ecomusée. As I am afraid of heights, I only made it 1/2 way up the tower and then gave my camera to my mom to take the photos from the top of the tower! The Ecomusée is very interesting. It has much information about Medieval castles and how their fortification was built, about life in these castles and about 'les chevaliers'(knights). My French is good enough to understand some of what was written....just enough to make me want to head to the library when I get home and learn more! After the museum we came home and had a late siesta and then dinner at about 6:30. I will have some wine now and read in the early evening sunshine. 😊 Oh! Tomorrow the Tour de France stage passes
Tapestry in Sainte Croix
This had to be 8 feet x 10 feet!right outside the door of Jean-François's house! It has been over 20 years since the race passed through Crocq. The roads are all newly paved and they are out there sweeping and cleaning the roads so they are in perfect condition. We will be out there waiting tomorrow afternoon to see the yellow shirt and all the rest fly by!
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CptnJAVA
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Missing Picture
Where is the shot of the "beautiful Butcher's daughter?" The landscapes, architecture, and food is all wonderful, but ..... Hope you enjoy seeing the Tour. It should be exciting!