We took a car ride north of Toulouse to go see the town of Saint-Cirq Lapopie, before continuing on to see Cahor and then stay in a Bed & Breakfast (the French call it a
Gite) in the small village of Montcuq.
The medieval town of Saint-Cirq Lapopie (correctly pronounced like a 3rd grader would want to say it, La Poopy...still makes me chuckle when I say) is possibly the most charming little town in France,
sitting up high on a cliff overlooking the Lot river and the Lot valley, in the Lot region. There's a lot to see there. It's a really small town that hasn't changed in like 600 years. It's hard to believe it but these people never go to a Home Depot to replace ANYTHING! It is very beautiful there...an artist's community town. There were hats for sale, jewelery to be purchased and artwork to see. Many folks there with their easels out painting the scenery. Everybody taking pictures. I'm sure there was many many boring blogs being added to.From there we drove through the much larger medieval town of Cahors. It's has more of a dirty, run-down looking medieval look to it.
We took a walk through the really old cathedral there and found the town, known for it's full-bodied red wines, to be interesting but not really charming...except for this dog fountain which we liked. We made our way over to Montcuq and stayed at a Bed&Breakfast of some British folks who bought a 17th century farm 20 years ago (read their story online).
They are really cool people (Peter and Zoe)...and we could understand the words comin out of their mouths!! When we got here we walked through the house and couldn't find anybody sowe walked way in the back to their pool and found the owner guy, by himself, singing through a sound system by the bar/small shack next to the pool. He starts singing towards us as we walk up, making hand gestures and belting out this tune. But then put the mike down, introduced himself, explained that he was singing in a local play in town there and practicing...so we wouldn't be afraid. His first question was "ya want a drink!" Needless to say we liked him right away. We stood by the pool bar for 30 minutes talking and drinking before we got into the house...felt very comfortable there right away ("straight on"). And the pool was nice too...it was hot that weekend.
On Sunday morning we found a great market in Montcuq...it was huge, blocking off the streets to most of the small town.
That country north of us is really wide open. I would drive on these little winding roads for 15 minutes at a time without seeing another car. It was real pretty and relaxing...although if they could block off the streets, I could see it making a really awesome Lemans-type race car circuit.
