Rural Bliss in the Dordogne

Friday 9 August

Our last day beside the Dordogne River and a chance to rest and take it easy before our trip tomorrow to another river system, the Cher and Loire.  Maree has been suffering from a mystery pain in her back and legs which we are hoping will improve quickly.  This afternoon we drove up the hill to Domme for a bit of a stroll around and to enjoy once again the magnificent views over the river and the valley. 

View from the terrace, Domme

We had a browse in some of the shops which mostly sell foie gras, the local specialty, or wine or soap or ceramics.  A few dress shops with stuff made in India and a couple of artisan jewellery stores.  After a while Maree and Mel walked back down the hill and Jess and I sat at one of the restaurants that overlook the valley - spent ages just sitting in the sun, enjoying the view, an ice-cream and a glass of rose.

Nice spot for a drink!

 Plenty of people about but the village was not overcrowded.  It certainly is one of the prettiest villages in the ranks of the Plus Beaux Villages de France collection.  There are lovely views from all sides and every street is quite charming.

Typical street, Domme

  I think the locals must get a bit tired of the large number of people who flock to the village - a penalty for living in such a gorgeous spot maybe?

Dordogne Valley from Domme

I have a feeling the farmers of the Dordogne deliberately plough their fields and sow their crops in the most artistic patterns to comply with some kind of local law.  Did they always make their farms look so picturesque or has the tourist board issued some kind of decree?

Ploughing artistry

 Even the walnut trees stand in straight lines in their pretty groves.  I had an ice-cream with walnuts this afternoon - very tasty!

More rural  geometry

 In the late afternoon we drove back down the hill to start packing up our things - we plan an early start tomorrow as the journey to St Aignan-sur-Cher will be about 360 km, maybe a little longer if we avoid the autoroutes altogether.  The sky cleared completely this evening and we were treated to the sight of two red hot-air balloons landing on the other side of Cenac - a lovely sight over the rooftops


Hot air balloons setting down just out of Cenac - from our garden.

And here is our little Dordogne stone cottage.  Maree is feeling a little better tonight so hopefully she is on the mend.

From the lower garden

The fig tree and the plum tree