Most popular posts
“A delight to read”
Tag Archives: Espinas
Forgotten Love Letter Saved for Posterity
Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways. In this case, it saved for posterity a wonderful letter that would otherwise have been consigned to the flames with a heap of junk.
Posted in History, Places, World War I & II
Tagged Espinas, farming, Flouquet, living in France, love letter, rural community, rural life, SW France, World War I
5 Comments
End of an Era at the Hamlet of Flouquet
It was the end of an era in two senses, to which I’ll return below. Every year, as part of the summer walks laid on by the commune of Espinas, we visit a pretty hamlet called Flouquet. The houses are … Continue reading
Posted in History, Personalities, Places
Tagged baking bread, bread, Espinas, Flouquet, four à pain, lavoir, patrimoine, rural life, subsistence agriculture, SW France, threshing
10 Comments
Fêtes and Festivals in Southwest France
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
Every Château Has a Story: #1 Le Château de Cas
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
A Walk Back in Time on the Saint-Antonin Causse
Last Saturday night’s thunderstorm caused us little bother – except for water seeping under the kitchen door as usual – and cleared the air. In parts of Aveyron, we hear, the damage was considerable and a church spire is reported … Continue reading
Posted in History, Places, Walking in France
Tagged causse, Espinas, le chemin de lou finot, nature, Occitan, patrimoine, rural life, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, SW France
6 Comments
A Traditional French Hamlet – Flouquet
The last of the summer walks at Espinas took place yesterday. As ever, our guides Nadette and René Curato have provided lots of interesting information about the history and culture of the places we have seen. Almost every year one … Continue reading
Posted in History, Places
Tagged Espinas, Flouquet, lessive, patrimoine, rural life, SW France, wool spinning
8 Comments
All fêted out
So much has been going on in this area during the past few weeks that I scarcely know where to begin. This is typical summer in rural France. For a couple of months there is a plethora of cultural events, … Continue reading
Posted in Customs, French life, History, Places
Tagged country fêtes, Espinas, farming, Fête des battages, Fenaison à l'ancienne, France, rural life, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, social customs, SW France
6 Comments
What’s in a (place)name?
We spent a fascinating morning last Wednesday. The tiny village of Espinas organises a walk every Wednesday in July and August. The guided walks follow local footpaths and take in sights of historical or other interest. Last week’s was a bit … Continue reading
Posted in French life, History, Personalities, Places
Tagged Espinas, France, lieux-dits, living in France, Occitan, placenames, rural life, SW France, Tarn-et-Garonne, toponymy
2 Comments
Forgotten love letter rediscovered
Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways. In this case, it saved for posterity a wonderful letter that would otherwise have been consigned to the flames with a heap of junk.
Posted in French life, History, Personalities, Places, World War I & II
Tagged Espinas, farming, France, living in France, rural life, SW France, World War I
2 Comments
I meet one of my readers at Espinas
This summer’s weekly walks at Espinas got off to a good start last Wednesday with René leading. I have written about Espinas on these pages before (click here). The picture above shows one of the local sights. The man wearing the … Continue reading
Posted in Food/drink/recipes, French life, Personalities, Places
Tagged blogs about France, Espinas, living in France, Lunch, nature, rural life, SW France, walking
2 Comments
A small village with a big heart in southwest France
There’s a tiny village in this corner of southwest France called Espinas. Perched on a hilltop amid glorious rolling countryside, it appears to be the typical sleepy French hamlet as you drive through. The dog lying in the road … Continue reading
Posted in Customs, French life, Personalities, Places, Walking in France
Tagged biodiversity, blogs about France, Espinas, farming, fete, France, nature, rural life, Southwest France, tractors
2 Comments
