Category Archives: Auvergne

Cantal le Beau

Posted on 30/09/2016 by

I’m never quite sure which destination appeals to me more: Cantal or Corsica. They are both mountainous and beautiful in their own way, but very different. Cantal, of course, is easier to get to, being only just over two hours’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Customs, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Cantal Revisited

Posted on 30/05/2016 by

I’m always torn between sharing places I love with other people and keeping them to myself. After a fierce internal tussle the altruistic side won. The Cantal is a part of France to which we keep returning, although our last … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

A Brief History of Cheese

Posted on 19/01/2014 by

At the Tuesday market in Caylus, which stall has the longest queue? No contest: the cheese stall. It’s especially long in summer when the holidaymakers and second homers swell the population. But even in winter you can count on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Captivated by Cantal 2

Posted on 29/09/2013 by

We spent three nights and two days in Cantal last week, which wasn’t nearly enough. But we got in two good, long walks and the weather was glorious. The countryside is superb, especially in early autumn when the trees are … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, French life, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Captivated by Cantal 1

Posted on 26/09/2013 by

Every year in September we try to get to the Auvergne for a short walking holiday. This is the mountainous Massif Central, formerly an area of significant volcanic activity and later gouged out by glaciers. Last year, we didn’t manage … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, French life, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Les Chemins de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle

Posted on 01/04/2013 by

Happy Easter. I know it’s a bit late but I took advantage of rare and unexpected sunshine to work in the garden yesterday. The magnificent ceramic egg above, was nestling in last year’s Virginia creeper cuttings outside Catherine Smedley’s art … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, History, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Blithe Spirits: Quirky French Apéritifs

Posted on 05/10/2011 by

Behind the bar in all French cafés lurks a selection of bottles with evocative names such as Byrrh or Suze. They are usually made from aromatic plants to closely-guarded recipes. You still see ancient advertisements for them stencilled onto barn walls – … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Customs, Food/drink/recipes, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Awesome Auvergne

Posted on 30/09/2011 by

This week we made our annual short visit – almost a pilgrimage – to the Cantal Département. It is a spectacularly beautiful, mountainous area in the Auvergne Region, about two hours’ drive from us. It offers excellent walking: the peaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Nature, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

French country novels

Posted on 29/11/2010 by

French country novels celebrate rural life, which changed out of all recognition during the 20th century. Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Aveyron, Books/writing, Customs, French life, History, World War I & II | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Six things that make French country hotels unique

Posted on 12/09/2010 by

  The picture shows not a misplaced extraterrestrial but the light fittings in our hotel room during a recent stay in the Cantal on a short walking holiday. More of those later.   We have stayed in many French provincial hotels over … Continue reading →

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