Archive for January, 2020

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January 31, 2020

Sephardic and Councilor museums of Toledo!

So bringing you back to another of my favorite cities of my beloved Spain. And many times visited with family nearby over the years, and of course, never enough written on it or pictures! I do have several posts on the city of Toledo, Castilla La Mancha , Spain. I will try to tell you in my next posts the arts and museums of Toledo, but first a bit about the city’s location, good by train and already a post on that over the years the car is my second home.

Toledo is about 71 km (about 44 miles) from Madrid. From Toledo part the N-400, which connects this city with Cuenca by Ocaña and Tarancón.  There is now an excellent  A-40 Autovia or highway of Castilla-La Mancha, that unites Avila with Maqueda (where it links with the Extremadura highway), Toledo, Ocaña (where it joins the highway of Andalusia), Tarancón (where it connects with the highway of Levante, Valencia), Cuenca and Teruel. A former national road 401 Madrid-Toledo-Ciudad Real was transformed at the end of the decade of 1980 in the current A-42.

The general tourist office information is here:

Tourist office of Toledo: https://turismo.toledo.es/

Tourist office of Castilla La Mancha on Toledo: http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/toledo/

And continuing in my lovely Toledo and with family not far for yeeears of visits it never get me tired of visiting Toledo, for now its a must when in Spain. In the off the beaten paths and not so beaten let me continue with the wonderful museums of the Sephardic Jews and the Councilors of Toledo.

The Museo Sefardí or Sephardic Museum occupies the old Convent of Knights of Calatrava, annex to the Synagogue of the Transit, and it shows historical, religious aspects and of the customs of the Jewish past in Spain, as well as of the Sephardim, the descendants of the Jews who lived in the Iberian peninsula until 1492. In 19642, it was decided that the Synagogue of the Transit or synagogue of Samuel ha-Leví be the seat of the Sephardic museum, which aims to preserve the legacy of the Hispanic-Jewish and Sephardic culture so that it is integrated as essential part of the Spanish Historical Heritage, a task that it performs until today.

toledo

 

The first room shows the history, geography and culture of the Jewish people in the Ancient Near East, where, according to biblical writings, traditions that last in their daily lives originated. Archaeological objects dated between 2000 BC are shown. and the first century A.D. as well as a wide variety of cultural objects related to what it is and what it means to be Jewish, your beliefs and customs. It highlights a Torah, the sacred book of Judaism, formed by the Pentateuch and other liturgical objects.

In the northern courtyard, as a necropolis, some of the tombstones of Jewish characters from various parts of Spain are exposed. In the east courtyard the archaeological remains of some possible public baths of the old Jewish quarter of Toledo and the floor of the old hejal (main wall) of the synagogue are preserved.

toledo

The women’s gallery, a special room for liturgical monitoring by the female gender that has the synagogue. As in other cultures, Judaism does not allow women to follow the liturgy from the prayer hall. In this space, which preserves part of its original plasterwork decoration, showcases related to the daily life of the Sephardim are shown: their birth, education, main parties, death, etc.

Tourist office of Toledo: Tourist office of Toledo on the Museo Sefardi

Ministry of Culture and Sports of Spain: Ministry of Culture and Sports of Spain on the Museo Sefardi

The Museo de los Concilios or Councilor museum and the Visigoth culture, located in the Church of San Román, has Romanesque paintings from the 13C and an important collection, original and replicas, of goldsmith Visigoth, along with other archaeological finds dated between the 6C to 8C. The Visigothic Council and Culture Museum was created in 1969 as a subsidiary of the Santa Cruz Museum. Having its headquarters in the Church of San Román, it is also known as the San Román Museum. The museum opened in 1971.

toledo

The museum in the Church of San Román of which the church origins,are only partial data, could be traced back to the Visigothic period, since a crypt identified as an apse was discovered under the main chapel in 1968 built at that time, although some hypotheses attributed to Roman times by the vaults that support the staircase of the tower. Later it was perhaps used as a mosque since until 1572 Islamic sepulchral lauds were preserved in it. Documentary it is cited as a Latin parish for the first time in the early   12C, in 1125, although the current parish corresponds to the church consecrated in 1221. The tradition places in this church the proclamation of Alfonso VIII as heir of Castile in 1161 by the mayor of Toledo Esteban Illán, buried in one of the chapels.

toledo

 The structure is simple: it has a basilica plan with three naves, the tallest and widest central, separated by horseshoe-shaped arches with alternate segments framed in alfiz. They are supported on columns of Roman shaft attached to brick pillars, on which twelve capitals of different sizes are located, of which five are Visigoths, six Mozarabic 9-10C, and one of Byzantine tradition.

toledo

The materials that are exhibited in the Museum of the Visigothic Councils and Culture, and that testify to the importance of the Visigothic court of Toledo from the last third of the 6C, come from the funds of the Museum of Santa Cruz, (see this post)  coming from excavations taken to out in the province of Toledo (Vega Baja, Bayuela Castle, Carpio de Tajo, etc.). All the exhibited pieces are the only vestige that are conserve of what were the civil and religious constructions of the city in Visigothic time, since no original construction is still standing. Museography distributes the archaeological pieces in different thematic blocks that help us understand the general characteristics of the Visigothic culture and its material expressions. 

It was essential to dedicate a section in the Councilor museum , understood as assemblies of bishops and nobles presided over by the king, continuing the Roman synodal tradition. Although the celebration of the Councils of Toledo begins already under Roman rule, it will be with the consolidation of the Visigothic state when they receive a real boost. In this sense it is necessary to highlight the celebration of the Third Council, in 589, in which King Recaredo formalized his conversion and that of the Godo people to Catholicism, abandoning Arianism. As of this moment the integration of the Hispanic-Romans in the Visigothic state took place!

Tourist office of Toledo: Tourist office of Toledo on the Museo de los Concilios

And there you go something unique in my lovely Toledo, both must to see. The museums are great but they are in historical architecturally stunning buildings they are awesome, not to mention the goodies inside. Hope you have enjoyed the Sefardi and Concilios museums of Toledo

And remember, happy travel, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

 

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January 30, 2020

Museums of Segovia!!!

So here I am back in one of my favorite towns of my beloved Spain. I don’t have to repeat myself when I came here first and my memories with family here always coming from Madrid where I used to lived.

There are many things to see in Segovia, not just the major tourist attractions that are also major monuments in the history of our Spain. I can only recall the Chapel of Santa Barbara in the Cathedral , who is the Patron Saint of my native town. etc. However,there are museums too and very good ones indeed.

I like to tell you a bit on the museums of Segovia at least my favorite ones.

The Museo de Segovia museum in the Casa del Sol is a cultural institution of the Spanish State managed by the Autonomouse community of Castilla y León, which guards the arts of the province of Segovia. Throughout its history it has had several denominations, Museum of Paintings, Museum of Fine Arts or Provincial Museum, as well as various headquarters from the initial in the episcopal palace in 1842, passing through the Church of San Facundo 1845 and the House del Hidalgo 1967 , until settling in the Casa del Sol or sun house dating from king Enrique IV times.

The building, nestled in a ram in the western section of the medieval wall, is a reform of the old slaughterhouse; the Casa del Sol museum made between 1986 and 2006.  The Museum is made up of some 1,500 pieces with archaeological, ethnological and fine art backgrounds from the Segovian region. The archaeological pieces range from the Paleolithic, through Celtiberian, Roman, Visigoth, Islamic, to the Christian era. The collection of sculptures, paintings and decorative arts come from the Spanish confiscation of the 19C. The permanent exhibition is organized in 7 rooms on 4 floors.

Segovia

They are as on the ground floor: Room A. “Segovia in time. The roots of History” (Geology, Geochronology, Geography and Landscape). Room B. “From the First Villagers to the Altomedieval World” (Prehistory, Ancient History and Visigothic Period). Room C. La Piedra Labrada (Ancient, medieval Lapidary and Barral collection, in the courtyard).

Upstairs: Room D. “The Low Middle Ages. Church, Nobility and Pueblo Llano”. (From Islam to the 16C: Romanesque, Gothic and Mudejar. Painting. The Lord and the War. Castles and Alcázares. Departure to the Adarve. The Grinding and its Measures. Grazing, Mesta and Transhumance Wool and Dresses (Batanes, looms and Knitting Machines).

Mezzanine I: Room E. “Renaissance and Baroque. The Austrias”. La Estampa.Arquitectura: the New Cathedral. Painting. Hydraulic Energy and its Technique: Numismatics in Segovia. Navafría Copper Martinete.

Mezzanine II: Room F. Sculpture of the 15-16C. Room G. “The Bourbons and the Enlightenment. The 20C”. The constructions of the Bourbon Segovia. The Royal Factories: La Granja, El Aserrío de Valsaín and the Cloths of Laureano Ortiz de Paz. Popular pottery (highlighting the Fernando Arranz collection). Traditional clothing Contemporary painting and sculpture.

And great views over Segovia and the Cathedral from the museum!!!

Segovia

Tourist office of Segovia on the Museum

Official museums of Castilla y Leon on the Museum of Segovia

Another wonderful building that I came straight for it is the Casa Museo Antonio Machado , one of Spain leading poet/writer.  He first came here in November 25 , 1919 to hold a place as professor of French in the Instituto General y Técnico where he stayed until 1932.  And even thus he leaves the city in September 1932 to teach French in the Instituto Calderón de la Barca in Madrid. He did came back for visits afterwards; Segovia keeps a very big heart for him. He was actually born in Sevilla in 1875 , and founder of the Spanish Modernismo been part of the famous Generation of ’98 and member of the Spanish Royal Academy.

Segovia

From 1949, Segovian friends of the poet decided to ensure that the building did not disappear. In 1951, they bought the apartment, then in 1974, they bought the whole house. They make it a house-museum. Visitors can view the writings and personal belongings of Antonio Machado. Original objects are still there, such as the iron bed, furniture or the oil heater. A bust of the poet made by the sculptor Ignacio Barral is placed in the access garden. The house-museum is administered by the Real Academia de Historia y Arte de San Quirce. Antonio Machado was a member of this cultural institution, along with other intellectuals from the province. Their webpage is here: Real Academia de San Quince on house museum of Antonio Machado

Segovia

One of the poems I always remember was dedicated to the assassination of another great Poet/writer of Spain, Federico Garcia Lorca in the early stages of the Spanish Civil War, “El Crimen fue en Granada” = Se le vio, caminando entre fusiles, por una calle larga, salir al campo frío, aún con estrellas de la madrugada. Mataron a Federico cuando la luz asomaba” IN short, it translates as, The crime was in Granada.  He was seen walking amongt rifles on a long street, going out into the cold field still with stars of the night. They killed Federico when the daylight looms. One of my favorite poets of Spain.  There is a guide map where you can trace the walks of his daily routines in the city ask the tourist office.

Segovia

Tourist office of Segovia on the House Museum of Antonio Machado

Tourist office of Province of Segovia on the House Museum of Antonio Machado

And there you go , there is arts in Segovia and very good ones indeed. Hope you have the time to enjoy them. My favorite museums of Segovia.

And remember, happy travel, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

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January 28, 2020

The Poul Fetan at Quisinic!

Here we are in back country Morbihan dept 56 of my Bretagne in my belle France. I have passed by here several times but never got in too inland me thought but trying to see it all and with my boys decided to go in into nature and see a wonderful site that in Summer should be awesome.

Let me introduce you Poul Fetan in the small town of Quistinic. Of course in winter it is closed but I got a special peek inside ::)

Poul-Fetan means the washhouse of the fountain in the Breton language. It was built in the 16C, Poul-Fetan is located on the top of a steep valley overlooking the Blavet valley. As in many villages, the modernization of agriculture has little by little made traditional agriculture disappear, the peasants left the countryside to gain the city, and Poul-Fetan fell into oblivion in the 1960s -1970.

quistinic

Poul-Fetan was acquired by the town of Quistinic in 1977. Thanks to the tenacity of a team of volunteers, supported by the town, the village will escape the announced death and will be reborn from its ashes. The restoration of the buildings began in 1979 and as of 1985 the village opens to the public.   Today, the numerous activities offered on the site allow you to rediscover this rural life of yesteryear. A leap in time which is an enchantment for both young and old!

quistinic

A journey between nature and traditions in Morbihan. With family or friends share a good time in a village that lives to the rhythm of the 19C. Take part in daily life activities such as washerwomen, pancakes, butter, etc. 17 Breton games such as stilts, skittles, pucks, etc. Discover the shops and the craftsmen of the village.

Quistinic

Welcoming and generous, the artisans perpetuate here ancestral gestures: making butter, spinning wool, feeding farm animals , so many unique moments in which you are warmly invited to participate. If the work is sometimes rough, you will laugh out loud at the tasty gossip of the washerwomen. After the effort, you will feast on good dishes at the Auberge Ti Fanch ‘ such as the soup cooked in the fireplace, farz with bacon or vegetables etc. Here, you can taste the specialties with a wooden spoon and the flavors are incomparable. At the edge of the village, typical Breton games to challenge yourself with family or friends, and the beautiful chestnut forest which invites young and old to have fun in the company of facetious korrigans. In Poul-Fetan, each house tells the soul of Brittany through the families who lived here over a hundred and fifty years ago!!

quistinic

Some webpages in English to help you plan your trip here are

Official Poul Fetan village

City of Quistinic on Poul Fetan village in French

Tourist office of Morbihan 56 on Poul Fetan village

tourist office of Brittany on Poul Fetan village

In town, and around you have apart from the seven chapels scattered throughout the countryside, the town has the particularity of hosting two religious buildings side by side. The Saint Pierre Church dates from the 18C, its bell tower is wonderful. Next to it stands the Saint Mathurin Chapel, the current chapel dates from the 18C, but another chapel or an oratory stood in the same place from the 15C.

Some directions to get to his inland wonderful area full of nature of my beloved Morbihan. You go there on the expressway N165/E60 direction Lorient, get off at the expressway N24 direction Rennes, exit/sortie at La Gare de Baud. The old train station no longer in use of Baud! I go from Pluvigner on the road D102 direction Languidic past this town continue on the D102 and on the site of Kerantarf take the road D23 becoming same road the D327 and signs will take you up hilly road to Route de Kerfec to the Poul Fetan village. This is all country inland nature and narrow hilly roads ok.

Some info on public transport , of course , never taken it here just for info ok.You can go with a bit of effort by bus from Lorient Gare d’échange, CTRL network on line 42E until Kergonan, then bus line 46  until Quistinic , you walk about 1km to the village. Info on buses here: https://www.ctrl.fr/mes-lignes/ligne-42e

Bus Line 46 : Quistinic Centre <> Languidic- Kergonan. From Paris Montparnasse you can take the TGV to the Gare de Lorient and do the bus as above. Also, there is an airport in Lorient Aéroport de Lorient Bretagne Sud that regular flights from Paris and Lyon, and need to take a bus to the above Gare d’échange (bus terminal) and then as above. Info on the airport here: https://www.lorient.aeroport.fr/en

Here is the town of Quistinic on the heritage things to see there: Town of Quistinic on heritage

And there you go, another wonderful spot now bette known in my wonderful Morbihan 56 which never stops to amaze me on its beauty and diversion of things to see and do. Hope in family you can enjoy it too, the Poul Fetan village. 

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all!!!

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January 28, 2020

The treasures of Languidic, Morbihan!

And back in my home , do make runs here and there to be able to see the wonderful treasures I have nearby.  This was the case this week when I took around into the town of Languidic about 30 minutes from home by car, and came upon some familiar monuments that needed to see more closely.

I like to tell you more on this picturesque town of the Morbihan dept 56 of my lovely Bretagne.  The town of Languidic by its surface, the most extensive town of the Morbihan in the county of Lorient. It is located 35 km from Vannes, department prefecture (capital city), 30 km from Pontivy and 18.5 km from Lorient, sub-prefectures , as well of 10 km from Hennebont, the capital of the canton. The road RN 24 expressway, linking Rennes to Lorient, crosses Languidic from north-east to south-west for approximately 15 km. north-west / south-east axis with a branch line joining the departmental D765; the departmental D 158, on a northeast / southwest axis; the departmental D 189, to the east, which joins the departmental D4; and the departmental D 724 which follows the axis of the expressway; and the departmental D 765 which serves the village of Tréauray in the extreme south. Languidic is served by bus line 17 of the TIM network (regional dept network). Half an hour by road from the town of Languidic, you will find the Lorient – Bretagne Sud airport with flights to Paris, Lyon etc on a limited basis, and there is no train station so connection is done in neary towns such as Lorient.

A bit of history I like , briefly is

The War of Brittany’s Succession. The town was first supporters of Jeanne de Penthièvre, Henry de Spinefort, captain of the city of Rennes, and his brother Olivier, captain of the city of Hennebont, soon joined Jean de Montfort (to take duchy against king of France). They notably defend the city of Hennebont during the siege of Charles de Blois (for the king of France); the Languidian campaigns are then plundered by the Breton and French soldiers.

Languidic’s first city council, made up of the mayor and eight municipal officers, met in 1790 in the church sacristy. However, revolutionary fever does not take. In 1791, the members of the assembly gave up their function, no longer recognizing themselves in the ideas of the new regime. As in the rest of France, the priests are hunted down. From 1794, the presence of troops was essential to protect the Republicans (revolutionaries) entrenched in the town; the Chouans (rebels against the revolution) are becoming more and more daring; in late 1794, they venture into the town and cut down the tree of Liberty, and in the night of March 4 to 5, 1795, they kill the mayor. When the Quiberon Breton immigrants (from England) landed in 1795, hundreds of Languidicians went into battle; 87 are taken prisoner and released after paying a ransom. In Languidic, in 1799, the Chouans found themselves facing a republican troop. The fight was over, the former dispersed the latter. Royalists take over the territory: a cache of weapons and clothing is set up in the Kérallan wood. Fierce opposing the French revolution in this area of my Bretagne.

At the fall of the First Empire,(Napoléon I) the municipal council affirmed its attachment to the Royalist regime: in 1820, Languidic participated in the national subscription of the Château de Chambord; in 1822, it voted subsidies for the erection of a war memorial for the Quiberon expedition and a monument to Georges Cadoudal (General hero of the Chouans native of Auray) During his official trip to Bretagne in 1960, the President of the French Republic Charles de Gaulle stopped in the town to greet the people gathered on the Place de l’Église. Upon his death, it is decided that this square will bear his name; Place Général de Gaulle.

The city page presentation ,location is here: City of Languidic on location and presentation of the town

The things to see here are:

The église St Pierre or St. Peter’s Church was built between 1876 and 1879 and replaces two older buildings. The first was erected around 1329, in roughly the same location. The second was built in the 15C, perhaps in 1453 or 1433. This date is inscribed, in Gothic letters, on one of the beams and outside of the building The church was built at different times, that is why we found inside Romanesque capitals when the whole was in ogival style. Today, the church shelters one of the rare bells of the region prior to the French revolution. “Kolas” or Nicolas dates from 1783 and was not melted because it was used for civil sounding of the bell. The silver chalice and the tin ciborium, respectively from the 17C and 18C. In 1933, a martyrdom was built on Place Général-de-Gaulle.

languidic

languidic

Between 1980 and 1990, several renovations marked the 100th anniversary, including, among other things, the installation of two huge stained glass windows in the transepts and the installation of gas heating.  The huge stained glass windows were done in 1982 , one the creation of the world and the other the Jerusalem celebration. In 2000, a roof repair was undertaken. An unfortunate incident destroyed part of the bell tower, which will be rebuilt and consolidated, regaining its supremacy in March 2001. At the beginning of 2002, a complete cleaning of the exterior was carried out, restoring their shine to the original stones.

languidic

languidic

The uniqueness of this Chapel is the following. The Association of Parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Morbihan of the Ukrainian Diocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople was newly created to serve the spiritual needs of their community, which is also joined by the faithful of Russian, Georgian and French Orthodox origin. The Chapelle Notre Dame des Fleurs is lent to them once a month by the rector of the parish of Languidic, so that his Christian brothers in the other lung of the universal Church can find a place of prayer and this with the blessing of the bishop, once a month. Here, worship is practiced in their original language and traditions. The readings are read by members of the parish, in Ukrainian and French What you know in my little corner of the world as it is only 30 minutes from my house by car!

The regional tourist office of Lorient: Tourist office of Lorient Bretagne south on Languidic things to see

Other things worth seeing here are the Castle of Kerrous (19C), Castle of Quellenec (15C to 18C) and the Castle de la Fôret (17C to 19C). In the cemetery, you will find the tomb of Marie-Thérèse-Perrine-Joséphine Hersart de la Villemarqué, daughter of the philologist Théodore Hersart de La Villemarqué and the recumbent figure of Pierre Guillozo, former parish priest of Languidic. To cure a shy child or a child with speech difficulties, legend has it that parents place a sachet of seeds or stones there after a prayer. And see my post on the Chapelle Notre Dame des Fleurs.

Finally, as in my wonderful Morbihan, the Languidic territory is integrated into the production areas of 3 products benefiting from a protected geographical indication (IGP): Cider of Bretagne or Breton cider, black wheat flour from Bretagne (in Breton; Gwinizh du Breizh) and poultry from Bretagne; simply the best of my lovely Bretagne and my belle France.

And there you go ,now I feel redeemed to show you this part of my lovely Morbihan dept 56, so much to see and we will keep coming back for more step by step in a never ending search for beauty, architecture, history,and just wonderful fields. Hope you enjoy my Languidic.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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January 26, 2020

The Jardin de L’Évêché , Lavaur!

And coming right along on our road warrior trip to sentimental areas, and once again in the town of Lavaur, Tarn dept 81 of Occitanie region of my belle France. I have walked by here with the family several times.

This time on a sentimental trip without my dear late wife Martine, took the boys and our Rex , borador dog for a walk. This is the Jardin de L’Évêché or  Bishopric’s garden  of Lavaur and would like to tell you a bit on it finally in my blog.

Lavaur

The Jardin de L’Évêché or Bishopric’s garden of Lavaur. The garden of the Bishopric is an English park of 1855, flanked by two majestic centenary cedars c. 1875. The plan of the terrace is decorated with the statue of Las Cases , the memorialist of Napoleon Ier at Saint Helena. This statue made of low relief pedestal was inaugurated in 1865.

Lavaur

Perched on the belvedere overlooking the Agout river, these gardens offer a remarkable view of the Saint-Roch (or Lavaur) bridge, a monumental stone structure built between 1773 and 1791, and the eddies of the river. Known as a place of festivity (the Garden Festival takes place there every year in July) and tranquility, this space – very popular with locals and the curious is steeped in history. Became episcopal seat in 1317, the bishops decided to build a fortified palace in Lavaur organized around a central courtyard. In the 17C, they bought the land from the consuls and laid it out in vast gardens composed of French flowerbeds, a vegetable patch, and a fishpond.

Lavaur

During the French revolution, the palace and its annexes were destroyed. This space, which became communal property in 1852, was then transformed into an English garden in 1857. It was named Jardin Las Cases, in memory of the confidant of Napoleon Bonaparte in Saint Helena . It was later renamed the Garden of the Bishopric as in French, Jardin de L’Évêché. It is next to the wonderful Cathedral St Alain!

We had the opportunity this time to walk Rex our dog in it and it felled very nice, sad that one dear person was not with us but invigorating as she must fell we were back there again. Like I said, the trip was very sentimental.

Lavaur

One reason to stop by in Lavaur is this garden ,and the bridge and the monastery, and museum library and of course the Cathedral all around you, its awesome me think.

The city of Lavaur on its heritage in French: City of Lavaur on its heritage

The tourist office of the Tarn dept 81, the first picture is the Bishopric garden with an aerial view also included the Cathedral St Alain. Tourist office of the Tarn dept 81 on Lavaur

Hope you enjoy the tour and walk as we did /do in quant old beautiful Lavaur. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!!

 

 

 

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January 25, 2020

The garden promenade of Plô,Lavaur!

And now I take to some off the beaten paths of off the beaten path town of Lavaur. It is in the Cocagne country of pastels and Cathar tradition and very sentimental to me as mentioned before do not want to repeat.

We have come here many times and did walks all over for reminicents times, but hardly not to many pictures. I guess when you have it no need to show it. This time came with my 3 young men and our dog Rex and walk again all over but did took pictures.

Therefore, let me tell you a bit on the Esplanade de Plô in Lavaur, the Tarn dept 81 of Occitanie in my belle France.

Le Plô is the site of the Lavaur castle which no longer exists. The Plô site, bought from the king by the consuls in 1622, was laid out as a public promenade and then as an esplanade from the 17C. The Esplanade du Plô, will immerse you in the history of the Cathars as you can imagine the bonshommes trying to repel the troops of Simon de Montfort besieging the city to capture and kill these heretics. This epic past, this site has now become a place of rest, calm and relaxation where you can soak up the charitable soul of Dame Guiraude. It is the ideal place for an improvised nap or a family picnic!   Petanque or here Boules lovers, a bowling alley or Boulodrom awaits you!

Lavaur

It , also ,has wonderful views over the river banks and valley of the Agout, the main river here. It is worth the detour to see the natural beauty of this area and think of the history above that took place here!  A bit on the river if I may.

The Agout river passes in the two departments of Hérault and Tarn, in the Occitanie region. It is an important left tributary of the Tarn river, therefore a sub-tributary of the Garonne river. The length of the Agout river is 194 km . In the dept 81 of the Tarn it passes by the towns of Brassac, Castelnau-de-Brassac, Castres, Coufouleux, Giroussens, Burlats, Lavaur, Rabastens, Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe, and Vielmur-sur-Agout. For info much of these have written in my blog.

Lavaur

Its flow was observed over a period of 56 years (1946-2001), at Lavaur. The river catchment area at this location is 2,300 km2 (or approximately 66.3% of its total which is 3,497 km2.). After a passage in the Tarn river, then the Garonne river , the waters of Agout river will finish their race in the Atlantic Ocean. The official vigicrues or river levels in France on the passing by Lavaur in French is here: Official Vigicrues river water levels on the Agout at Lavaur in French

Lavaur

The town of Lavaur in French has plenty on the things to see and pdf files on the heritage and history not to mention on doors which seems to be a popular post in several blogs in wordpress….::) City of Lavaur on heritage in French

And my info translated came from the tourist office of the Tarn dept 81 on the Plô here in French: Tourist office of the Tarn dept 81 on the Le Plo of Lavaur

And voilà the quant old Lavaur and its off the beaten paths beauties, hope you enjoy it and do pass by on your rounds in cathar country! Love Lavaur!

And remember, happy travels  good health, and many cheers to all!!!

 

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January 25, 2020

Church Saint Francois of Lavaur!

We make a must stop when visiting our sentimental Lavaur, and love it. The Church of Saint François is old and beautifully done right in city center, in fact you entered from the sidewalk into the church! It is at Grande Rue which is the main merchant street in town!

I wrote briefly on it long ago so let me bring you up to date, and my blog! Here is my take on the St François Church of Lavaur. Also known as the Cordeliers (12C-15C) with its large Puget organ 1866. Former convent of the Cordeliers (Franciscans), founded by Sicard, baron of Ambres. After the abolition of the convent, the church became parish from 1802 to 1963.

Lavaur

The Saint-François Church inspires respect. Majestic, it consists mainly of bricks and remains today the largest Franciscan church in the Southwest of France!. The current church brings together a polygonal choir from the 13C, an apse from the 14C, a nave from the 15C and a Stations of the Cross designed around 1880. Its interior decor from the 19C was mainly created by artists and craftsmen from Toulouse: paintings of vaults , stained glass windows and terracotta tiles , and large organ c 1866

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Lavaur

The Church of Saint François is located in Lavaur, dept 81 of the Tarn in the region of Occitanie. The church is oriented north-south. The choir of the Saint-François Church and two spans of the nave dates from the 13C, the apse from the 14C, the nave from the 15C. The church was consecrated in 1350, then again in 1512 The church was unoccupied during the French revolution. It served as a fodder store between 1790 and 1800.

Lavaur

The Church of Saint François was returned to worship in 1801. A gallery was built in 1848 above the entrance. The interior decor of the church dates from the 19C.  The church was built in bricks of a single nave, adopting a fairly usual plan in the Gothic churches of the Languedoc.

Lavaur

In the four spans to the south, the side chapels are integrated between the buttresses of the nave. In the 15C, the brotherhoods multiply in the Saint-François Church which have their chapels. The first chapel, to the right of the entrance, is that of the Saint-Côme-Saint-Damien brotherhood founded in 1501. The fourth chapel, on the same side, has Saint Eutrope whose cult was introduced in 1450. The organ was built by Toulouse organ builder Théodore Puget, between 1863 and the end of 1865. It was inaugurated in January 1866.

Lavaur

Lavaur

The webpages are limited on this Church for unknown reasons to me making it even more interesting to see it Below is the Catholic parish of Albi of which the town of Lavaur depend on for religious reasons.

Catholic Diocese of Albi on the Church St Francois of Lavaur

You will enjoy the monuments of Lavaur, small town but packed with goodies see my next posts on it. And do walk, we did the whole town lol!  And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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January 24, 2020

The streets of Lavaur!!

So been in the lovely Toulouse could not resist visiting Lavaur for sentimental reasons. We have crisscross this beautiful cathar area of France for many years, and Lavaur is the native town of my dear late wife Martine ,late father Pierre, who still had cousins in the area but now move further closer to Gaillac.

We spent many trips walking the streets of this lovely old town of the Tarn dept 81 in Occitanie and been so close could not avoided visiting it again this time only with the boys. Hope you enjoy it too on your way out of Toulouse into Cathar country!

We came in as always from Toulouse on the road D112 right into city center  Lavaur and parked free at the Allée Jean Jaurés by the grains market of old.  Before thus as you turn into the parking you come into a small square call the Place  de la Patience and a very nice fountain statue , a very nice way to welcome you into the town.

Lavaur

Lavaur

You can help it but see the enclosed canopy at the beginning of the alley sort of like a rest stop for the sights and bus routes of the town of Lavaur.

Lavaur

You could go on walking all along this alley (allée Jean Jaurés) along the road and past the halle aux grains or grains market that will tell you later.

Lavaur

You come across a real kiosque à musique  or music kiosk walking towards the city/town hall of Lavaur and right in front of a school.

Lavaur

And you do come to the end which is the Mairie or city/town hall of Lavaur , a nice building as usually they are.

Lavaur

And you get an idea of the quant old town that Lavaur is with a rich history some of which will tell you in the next posts. Enjoy Lavaur, in the Tarn in Cathar country of old, the traditions and history of my belle France. Hope you have enjoy the walk and see the capital of the Cocagne country=Lavaur. The tourist office in French of this traditional town is Tarn Agout (the rivers) here: Tourist office of the Tarn Agout area on Lavaur

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

 

 

 

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January 23, 2020

Other eateries of Toulouse!

So already written on a institution here in Toulouse, Le Loubechem at pl Victor Hugo (see previous post in my blog), I come to the other finds of this trip.

We had several runs of drinks and quick meals but will post the most memorable ones of our trip here, just for the memories. Hope you enjoy it too

The first one we encounter by just walking around Place Esquirol where we had parked my car. We came upon L’Esquirol bar just facing us right on.

Toulouse

This was a one stop deal, we came in with our dog Rex and voilà they accepted it in the terrace which was fine. He love it outdoors and ate too lol!!! We had our usual beers and me menu entrée of seafood goodies and then a pizza chévre miel all down with a fondue de chocolat and expresso coffee all for 22€ per person which included lots of beer pints lol!

Toulouse

no webpage but my fav tips place YELP has some guidance. Yelp on the bar L’Esquirol Place Esquirol

Then, on another we were tempted for ice cream go figure with crazy boys hanging around Toulouse, they decided wanted to eat ice cream!! in January! and remember the good place of Haagen Dazs at Place Wilson so we went for it. Another dandy as very receptive to our dog Rex in upper floor and lots of goodies with coffees and of course ice cream.

Toulouse

Toulouse

Toulouse

 

The official webpage is here at Place Wilson; Official Haagen Dazs at Pl Wilson Toulouse

And we came to the dandy of them all a new find and sure to be back here. This is at  Port Saint Sauveur on the Canal du Midi section and we found Le Bistro du Port. Super friendly service upper floor view of the marina and canal, Cuban salsa blaring on loud speakers and great seafood .fish beer combination. And of course, our Rex! Recommended.

Toulouse

I had as entrée another round of seafood platter with lots of shrimp and then a salmon steak very nicely done! for dessert another round of Fondue de Chocolat and the local blonde beer of the house all for 18€ per person! nice

Toulouse

Toulouse

No webpage of course but they do have a Facebook page here: Facebook on Le Bistro du Port Toulouse

In all a nice short trip where we walk a lot , had fun , found new places to see and eat and came back loaded with goodies. Enjoy the pink city of  Toulouse, there is more to my belle France than my eternal Paris! Bon appétit!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!

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January 23, 2020

Port Saint Sauveur, Toulouse!

So moving right along to the edges of the city of Toulouse and walking do the talking we came upon an area not seen before alas! So much to see in my belle France I am telling you! We were walking along the big boulevard and alleys seeing gardens and museums buildings and look up this spot so decided to take a closer look.

As usual for us, we hit a dandy. The Port Saint Sauveur is wonderful and great food with a Cuban beat lol! This is pure Canal du Midi folks down under!!! Enjoy it

Toulouse

The Port Saint-Sauveur district is a small district on the edge of Toulouse city center, attached to district 1. It is located southeast of the historic center, between the Canal du Midi and Boulingrin (Grand Rond garden). Its name comes from one of the two river ports of Toulouse located on the Canal du Midi, the other being the port of l’Embouchure. These ports are intended for the management of goods passing through the canal.

A bit of translation from the city of Toulouse.

A stopover at Port Saint-Sauveur allows you to discover a city steeped in history, very lively, and full of charm. The port, close to all shops, well served by public transport, is still popular with French and foreign customers. In 2008, it won the Stopover Trophy in the freshwater category for its action in favor of respect for the environment and the quality of the services provided to boaters. Since 2014, the Saint-Sauveur port has been awarded the Pavillon Bleu. This label created by the French office of the foundation for environmental education in Europe in 1985, promotes sustainable actions in favor of a quality environment carried out by the port.

Toulouse

The Port St-Sauveur was inaugurated in September 2001 and is the result of the will of the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) and of the City of Toulouse to create a reception point for boaters who use the Canal du Midi. The Capitanerie or Harbor Master’s Office, which today accommodates yachtsmen, was the old hangar for storing goods. Magisterially restored, it offers a large reception area with a breathtaking view of the Canal du Midi.

Toulouse

With a capacity of around 40 berths, the port receives an average of 400/450 boaters per year: speedboats, barges, rental boats, a few sailboats, etc. The boats are passing boats which can stay from 1 night to the week or even the month, but also wintering boats which will spend 6 months or more, from October to March-April. Each year, more than 40 boats are received in winter. Since 2017, boaters have had 24-hour access to sanitary facilities and the Harbor Master’s Office. The port benefits from a very good frequentation: a French clientele, but also foreign with mainly English, Australian, German, American, Belgian, and Swiss.

Some webpages to help you plan your trip are

City of Toulouse on Port Saint Sauveur

Private site on the Canal du Midi webpage on the Port Saint Sauveur

A dandy trip while enjoying the seafood and fish on a wonderful resto by the canal blaring Cuban salsa music to our delight!! Enjoy the Port Saint Sauveur a bit out of central Toulouse!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

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