Tag Archives: Caylus

Restoration of the Lavoir in Caylus

Posted on 11/05/2017 by

Lavoirs, or wash-houses, are features of the landscape around here. In times past, this is where the women (naturally…) did their laundry. They were normally constructed by a spring or a stream, so if the women were lucky, there was … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

5 Hidden Gems in Southwest France

Posted on 13/08/2016 by

This region contains so much to see and do that it’s easy to visit only the obvious places, those that get the most publicity: the plus beaux villages, the Viaduc de Millau, the better-known markets, the famous festivals. Dig a … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Caylus Car Rally Revived

Posted on 02/08/2016 by

  Our village formerly held an annual car rally. This wasn’t a race with souped-up vehicles – fortunately – but a “rallye touristique”, i.e. following a circuit between checkpoints around the commune. The event faded, as these things do, but … Continue reading →

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

Tour de France 2016

Posted on 08/07/2016 by

The Tour de France passed through our village for the first time yesterday, which has inspired great excitement during the build-up. All of the roads along the route have been resurfaced and relined, the verges have been cut and the … Continue reading →

Posted in French life | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

Our Village Fête: Yesterday and Today

Posted on 22/05/2016 by

  We went to our village’s Fête de Pentecôte (Whitsun fete) last Monday. It’s still an important local event, but in times past it was among the bigger fêtes in the region. We have a lovely book of photographs showing our … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Celebrating the Past at our Village Fête

Posted on 26/05/2015 by

Unlike many local villages, which hold their fête in the summer, ours has it in May to coincide with la Pentecôte (Whitsun). It involves the usual stuff: concours de pétanque (boules tournament), go-kart racing, a bal/disco and other events. This … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sunday Promenade Around Félines

Posted on 27/02/2015 by

  It was more like a forced march, actually. The SF did military service in the Swedish army and can still do a 20 km yomp bearing a 14 kilo pack with the best of them. Last Sunday morning, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Places, Walking in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Every Château has a Story: le Château de Cornusson

Posted on 08/02/2015 by

  The word “fairy-tale” when applied to a château usually makes me cringe. But there is something a little magical about the château de Cornusson, with its jumble of towers and turrets. You get tantalising glimpses of it peeping above … Continue reading →

Posted in Châteaux, History, Personalities, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Counting Heads: the French Census

Posted on 21/01/2015 by

  We had a visit today from the local census taker, having been warned a couple of weeks ago that this was imminent. This happens every five years in a small commune like ours (more on this below). But did … Continue reading →

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Every Château has a Story #3: Le Château de Caylus

Posted on 12/12/2014 by

  Very little remains of this château, except for a square tower in surprisingly good condition and parts of the original ramparts. And yet, in its heyday, le château de Caylus had dominion over a large swathe of the surrounding … Continue reading →

Posted in Châteaux, French life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Plague Cross

Posted on 25/10/2014 by

  Wayside crosses are very common around here. Some date back to the Middle Ages; others are more recent. We’ve even seen one erected on top of a dolmen, imposing the supremacy of Christianity over earlier pagan religions. Sometimes, they … Continue reading →

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

Fêtes and Festivals in Southwest France

Posted on 20/08/2014 by

  It’s that time of year again. You can’t move for village fêtes, art exhibitions, concerts and so on. There are too many things to go to and you have to be selective, but it’s all good fun and excellent … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Every Château Has a Story: #1 Le Château de Cas

Posted on 13/08/2014 by

Châteaux, large and small, have played an integral part in the history of France. Some have been at the centre of national events; others have been less affected by them, but nonetheless have a story to tell. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Châteaux, History, Places, World War I & II | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Art on the Menu

Posted on 19/08/2013 by

In July and August the population of our region swells several times, thanks to holidaymakers and second homers. The French tourist industry is complaining that numbers are down this year but we haven’t seen much evidence of that. The markets … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Five Curiosities in Caylus

Posted on 18/08/2012 by

How many of us can claim really to know the place we live in? I’ve always contended that, as a tourist, you find out more about places because you are not subject to the duties and distractions of daily life. … Continue reading →

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

Lovely Lavoirs

Posted on 20/11/2011 by

Last weekend we took advantage of the continuing mild weather to do a walk we hadn’t done before around Vailhourles, in Aveyron. We parked in the centre of the village near the lavoir – washing place or wash-house. These structures … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Customs, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments