We've been having a great time in Sarlat, with a mix of outings, lazy starts and a little maintenance for the house. The weather started out pretty good but has been quite cold and a little wet over the past few days. The outlook for the rest of our stay looks good. Here are some pics .....
The Wisteria is in full flight on the remnants of the old town walls, but most flowers and leaves are just starting to come out. It's a little early for 'proper' Spring, but we see new growth every day....
Bourgeois mansions on Place de la Liberty (circa 1500)....
Market Day in Sarlat....
Owl at Reserve Zoologique de Caviac, on a forested hillside just outside Sarlat. Very interesting place with only endangered critters where they have breeding programs etc. They had quite a lot to see. I'm a fan of the Lemurs....
Marian meets a Lemur....
These black and white ones are critically endangered in Madagascar....
This was a sleeping bundle of fur that turned into 4 Lemurs....
Lunchtime....
Wotcha lookin' at.....
'Flat out like a Lemur sleeping' (after lunch)....
Small clawed Otters from SE Asia I think (almost lunchtime).....
Chateau de Paluel is a recently opened Chateau that is in ruins, but under restoration. It was very interesting and we really enjoyed our visit. Up until 1944 it was a 'remarkably' preserved castle from the 1400's. Then the Nazi's burned it as it had associations with the French resistance. There were remarkable tunnels under it and very grand spaces, now ruined but under early restoration....
Dinner last night at local restaurant La Couleuvrine was awesome. It's in one of the 2 remaining towers from the original town walls (there were 19). My entree was Foie Gras spring rolls with Teriyaki sauce. The main was a fantastic lamb dish and dessert was rhubarb in meringue with sorbet and toffee topping....
This is the other tower still standing with some remnants of the city walls leading up to it....
There is a big lolly shop near the main square - it opens late and has the most amazing selection of lollies - full size 'bananas'; 'fried eggs'; 'peas and ham' (in the foreground) - there were various rooms of stuff.....
Great stuff, as usual. The markets are fantastic in French towns....loving the new chateau being renovated👍
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous flaneuring! The Sarlat Markets are one of the best I have seen, especially those saucissons! Loving the Lemurs - don't they know how to relax. That Chateau looks brilliant - there is something about ruins that makes you want to poke around and know more about them. Your meal looks like a real treat - we noticed a stronger asian fusion influence in France particularly Paris - great to see the experimentation and that it actually tastes good too. The wisteria is divine - such a season joy with its soft petals and its ability to climb and survive anywhere. Corfu has some bit the old buildings too but not quite as spectacular as those. I am getting a car this week to go up into the hillside to checkout the wildflowers as the locals are saying that they are starting to show their pretty little faces. Sun and rain alternating here over a very crowded and eventful Greek Easter. Looking forward to some calmer days ahead before Nicholas and the girls arrive in early May.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be finding something new every time you get to Sarlat—-what a place. That chateau must have been an interesting ruin with the tunnels and history. Cheers
ReplyDeleteOld buildings look marvellous against blue skies....great time to visit🌹🌸🌞xxjoy
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