Tag Archives: Aveyron

French Flavours E and F: Two Aveyronnais Specialities

Posted on 16/07/2017 by

Time for another instalment of my French flavours series. I realise I have only got to ‘E’ and we’ll never get to the end at this rate, so this week I’ll do ‘F’ as well and you get two for … Continue reading →

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French Flavours: D is for Diablotins au Roquefort

Posted on 30/04/2017 by

I have been continuing my researches to bring you another in my series of recipes of Southwest France. Here’s one you’ve probably never heard of – diablotins au Roquefort. I certainly hadn’t. Easy to make, with readily-available ingredients, they are … Continue reading →

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Finding Our House in France

Posted on 26/04/2017 by

Today is a very special one on La Lune. It’s 20 years ago to the day since we first saw our house. During our five days’ house-hunting in France, among the legion of properties we saw only two fitted the … Continue reading →

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French Flavours #2: B is for lou Bajanac

Posted on 12/02/2017 by

In my A-Z of traditional French recipes, I’m trying to focus on those that originated in southwest France, where we live. So I’ve eschewed boeuf à la Bourgignonne or blanquette de veau, delicious though they are. Surprisingly, I found a … Continue reading →

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Beyond Time: A Journey Back to Prehistory Part 1

Posted on 29/01/2017 by

Ours is one of the more rural French regions, but transport networks criss-cross the countryside and commercial suburbs mushroom around its historic towns. And yet this part of France is peppered with the works of prehistoric artists and builders. They … Continue reading →

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French Flavours #1: A is for Aligot

Posted on 18/01/2017 by

  The temperature was approaching -10C when I went downstairs this morning – outside, I hasten to add. This is the coldest spell we’ve had for five years. In this weather you want rib-sticking food; nouvelle cuisine doesn’t hit the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Food/drink/recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

A Cut Above the Rest: Laguiole Knives

Posted on 08/12/2016 by

The Aveyron town of Laguiole sits at the edge of the stark and empty but stunningly beautiful Aubrac plateau. We passed through there several years ago on our way to the Aubrac cattle transhumance, which takes place every year in … Continue reading →

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Appetising Return to Belcastel

Posted on 13/11/2016 by

Last time, I wrote about a ghostly story linked to the château de Belcastel. This week, we had the opportunity to make a return visit to this plus beau village in Aveyron. Not only does it occupy a delightful setting … Continue reading →

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

Inside le Château de Najac

Posted on 12/06/2016 by

At least a dozen years have elapsed since I visited the interior of the ruined château de Najac in Aveyron. This imposing 13th-century castle is a landmark for miles around, best seen from the opposite slope on a misty autumn … Continue reading →

Posted in Châteaux, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Every Château Tells a Story #11: Le Château de Mazerolles, Aveyron

Posted on 13/03/2016 by

As you round a hairpin bend just before the hamlet of Mazerolles, you get a breath-taking view of Najac across the valley, crowned by its ruined château (pictured below). This must have greeted the chatelains of Mazerolles (above) every morning … Continue reading →

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Every Château Tells a Story: #10 Le Château de Belcastel

Posted on 31/01/2016 by

Although I have written about Belcastel, in Aveyron, I haven’t devoted much space to the château. Its story is that of a phoenix raised from the ashes. The fortress could so easily have crumbled into a pile of stone, had … Continue reading →

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Things to Do in Southwest France 2015

Posted on 06/01/2015 by

  We’ve lived here since 1997, but many things remain that we haven’t seen or done. As I have often remarked, once you get settled in a place, daily life tends to take over and you are no longer a … Continue reading →

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Every Château Tells a Story #2: Le Château de Najac

Posted on 18/11/2014 by

  On autumn mornings, it rises out of the mist, perched on top of its pinnacle; while on summer evenings, it seems to float in the sky, lit from below. The fortress is a landmark for miles around, standing sentinel … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Châteaux, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Weather for Walks: October 2014 Weather in SW France

Posted on 04/11/2014 by

  We took advantage of the continuing spell of glorious weather last weekend to do one of our favourite walks, along part of the Viaur Valley. I mentioned this in my previous post. It’s a walk that’s best done on … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Places, Walking in France, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Gardens and SW France Weather May 2014

Posted on 05/06/2014 by

In early June every year, Rendezvous aux Jardins (national gardens weekend) takes place. We make a point of visiting at least one garden during the event. I normally leave green (appropriately) with envy and wish that my garden looked anywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, French life, Gardening, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Goose Fat and Garlic

Posted on 08/07/2013 by

A few weeks ago – only just found time to write about it – I attended the launch of a new edition of Goose Fat and Garlic, a book about the cooking and recipes of SW France. Jeanne Strang, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Books/writing, Food/drink/recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Le Viaduc de Millau

Posted on 31/05/2013 by

  This bridge has inspired every conceivable adjective that describes big and impressive. And it is certainly both. I finally got to see the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world last week, on my way down to the Camargue with … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Beautiful Bastide: Villeneuve-d’Aveyron

Posted on 20/05/2013 by

Today is la fête de la Pentecôte (Pentecost) in France – for those of you who think I don’t know my dates, this was posted late on Monday. And in keeping with the tradition of public holidays it’s cold and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Peyrusse-le-Roc: A Hidden Corner of the Aveyron

Posted on 26/04/2013 by

Knowing that the fine weather wouldn’t last, I made a long-planned excursion into the Aveyron Département yesterday. I set off under wall-to-wall blue skies. The trees were fuzzy with spring green and the pastures were gold-tinged with buttercups. The farmers … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Châteaux, History, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Najac Conundrum: the Answer

Posted on 30/09/2012 by

In my recent post about Najac, I posed a conundrum. What is the protuberance on the side of the building above, about three metres up? I received some interesting suggestions.

Posted in Aveyron, History | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Belcastel Revisited

Posted on 23/09/2012 by

Being rather occupied for various reasons at the moment, I’ll just share with you some shots of Belcastel in the Aveyron Département. I took these during les journées du patrimoine recently when, for once, we decided to be tourists in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Najac Revisited – and a Couple of Conundrums for You

Posted on 19/09/2012 by

Last Saturday and Sunday were journées du patrimoine (heritage days) not only here in France but also across Europe. Thousands of historic sites throughout France opened their doors, many of them free, and put on associated events and entertainment. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Book Review: Aveyron, a Bridge to French Arcadia

Posted on 07/04/2012 by

I don’t often do book reviews here. It’s difficult to strike a balance between being overly ingratiating and offensively critical. However, I am making an exception today to mention a book I have just finished and enjoyed about the Aveyron … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Books/writing, History, Places | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Ten Things to do in 2012 in SW France

Posted on 30/12/2011 by

Everyone’s thoughts turn to resolutions at this time of year. Last year, I suggested 10 things to do in 2011 in southwest France. All of them were things I had never done but planned to do this year. Well, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, French life, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Villefranche de Rouergue: Past Glories

Posted on 19/10/2011 by

It’s amazing how much you learn about a place you thought you knew, simply by taking the time to walk around it. We live about 25 kilometres from Villefranche de Rouergue in Aveyron and have shopped there regularly for 14 years. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Walking the Viaur Valley

Posted on 12/10/2011 by

  After a weekend of cold winds and low temperatures – I was picking walnuts wearing a woolly hat and a jacket on Sunday – the weather turned again on Monday. A cloudless blue sky and temperatures in the mid-20s … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, French life, Nature, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A Change of Name

Posted on 22/09/2011 by

I’ve decided to change the name of my blog as of now. Formerly it was ‘A writer’s lot in France’. Henceforth it will be called ‘Life on La Lune’.  Why change? Several reasons – please read on.

Posted in Books/writing, French life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Belcastel: one of the most beautiful villages in France

Posted on 20/07/2011 by

It’s cold, wet and miserable this week when we should be basking in wall-to-wall sunshine. So much for the person who said this summer would be hotter than 2003. And the swimming pool has gone green again. So to cheer … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Châteaux, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

When the Mona Lisa Smiled on the Aveyron

Posted on 05/07/2011 by

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is arguably the most famous painting in the world. Now permanently exhibited in the Louvre in Paris, it is probably one of the best travelled as well. It even had a brief sojourn in southwest … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, French life, History, Places, World War I & II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Asking for the moon: finding our house in France, part 4

Posted on 17/04/2011 by

  We had already seen La Lune, our present house, after a couple of days and following our encounters with Uncle Fester and assorted fauna of southwest France (notably snakes and fleas). However, we were committed to spending a further … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments