Tag Archives: French Wars of Religion

French Flavours: Poule Farcie, a Classic French Dish

Posted on 19/11/2017 by

The ubiquitous roadside posters advertising French fêtes and other social events very often have “poule farcie” emblazoned across the centre. This dish has a number of advantages for large gatherings. It can feed a lot of people and much of it … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Varen: Haven by the River Aveyron

Posted on 03/08/2017 by

I never cease to be amazed by the new things (to me) I discover in this region, where I have lived for 20 years. We haven’t set foot in Varen for ages and even then we didn’t stop to have … Continue reading →

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

Puylaroque: Tranquil Village with a Turbulent History

Posted on 19/02/2017 by

The panorama from the viewpoint at Puylaroque is magnificent. Beneath the rocky outcrop on which the village stands, the plains of southwest France roll away towards the Pyrénées. On a clear day, you can see the mountains, but that is … Continue reading →

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Every Château Tells a Story #7: the Château de Féneyrols

Posted on 06/08/2015 by

Our region is crammed with small châteaux that played an important role in its history at one time. Almost every village of any size had one. Now, they are seen as quaint relics of bygone days. I set out to … Continue reading →

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

Every Château Tells a Story: #6 Le Château de Penne

Posted on 14/04/2015 by

  Circumstances have prevented me from posting for a few days, but now I’m resuming with my series about the region’s châteaux. Le château de Penne commands a strategic position 120 metres above the River Aveyron on a rocky outcrop. … Continue reading →

Posted in Châteaux, History, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

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 , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

The Secret of Le Château de la Reine Margot

Posted on 11/08/2013 by

  ‘Queen Elizabeth I slept here.’ It’s well known that Tudor monarchs imposed on their subjects’ hospitality to reduce their own household expenses. But if Elizabeth I stayed in all the places that lay claim to it, she would never have … Continue reading →

Posted in Châteaux, History, Personalities, Places | Tagged , , , , , | 12 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 , , , , , | 16 Comments