Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Exploring Southern France

We left Paris quite early in the morning, heading south to Perigueux in the Dordogne region of France, to stay with the family of Alexis, a French friend of mine from America. After Alexis' father Armand picked us up from the train station, and upon our introductory drive throughout Perigueux, and the following welcome into his home, it was already clear that the next few days would be quite enjoyable as we shared a few jokes and listened to many of Armand's amusing anecdotes, including those from his time as a backpacker in Australia 20 years ago.

The hospitality, helpfulness, kindness from Armand, Joelle and their young daughter Hannah continued throughout our time in Perigueux, as we were well and truly spoilt, experiencing French cuisine both new; salade de gesiers (chicken gizzards with salad) confit de canard (duck confit) and some old (croissants, pain au chocolat, copious amounts of cheese) but all amazing. I'm positive we would have had an amazing time in Perigueux just eating and drinking every night (which we did), but there was much more to enjoy.

Perigueux Backyard View
Perigueux Backyard View

Our journey throughout the part of France that many celebrities enjoy visiting for a casual getaway started the next morning as we visited the middle aged and small villages of Bourdeille and Brantome. Narrow cobbled streets, quaint little bridges and cafes contrasted against the grandiose churches and castles that would often tower over the rest of the town.

Brantome, France
Brantome

Brantome, France
Brantome

Bourdeille, France
Bourdeille

The wonderfully tranquil landscapes continued the following day as we drove up, down and through winding valleys (slightly nauseating, I will admit), before walking through the surrounding villages of two major castles in the area – the French Château Beynac and the English Château de Castelnaud  The villages were as charming and a sight to behold as much as the castles themselves, and were very much reminiscent of those from Monty Python, Robin Hood, or even Game of Thrones. In fact, the region as a whole was hard to look at without imagining horses, knights and catapults abound.

View towards Château de Castelnaud
View towards Château de Castelnaud

Our final night in Perigueux finished as our time in Perigueux begun, with more amazing French food and wine, reflecting upon our time in France, our time ahead, and with more amusing ancedotes from Armand's Australian adventures.


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