Been a busy couple of days as I made my way south to Auch. Yesterday in Limoges it was freezing, rainy and miserable so I gave up walking early, but I still managed to find a street that was once full of butcher shops (Rue de La Boucherie). The Corporation of Gentleman butchers from 1315 even had their own church. That night went to a restaurant for a steak that actually had live cattle in the barn underneath my table. My meal was limousine T-Bone with a limousine milk mash potato (not a green thing in sight!!). A perfect way to wrap up my time in Limoges (Limousine).
Early start today as I had a 7 hour drive to Auch (including the stops). First was a visit to the Sanctuaire Notre Dame De Rocamadour which is a monumental medieval pilgrimage site home to a revered black Madonna statue. For over 1000 years pilgrims have visited this site. It is linked to the Camino de Santagio. The whole thing clings precariously against the cliff above the Alzou canyon. The medieval village seemingly defies the laws of gravity. It is Frances 2nd most visited tourist attraction (behind Mont-Saint-Michel.) It was free to visit but everything else was expensive. Drove another hour or so to visit the Castelnaud La Chapple Castle, which is a medieval fortress overlooking the river Dordogne. Today it houses a museum of medieval warfare, featuring reconstructions of siege engines, mangonneaux, and trebuchets. It was expensive €12.90 but did have some terrific views over the valley and river. I don't think I need to visit any more medieval castles on this trip.... One thing about driving in France is you never know what's around the corner!! There is always another chateau or two. On the way to my sensational (brand new) AirBnB in Auch, I called in to a farm on the side of the road and bought some steak (Salers rump) and some truffle Pate de fois gras. The geese were in a shed right next door.... I will spend four days in this part of France, so hopefully the weather improves - This morning I drove through sleet and ice!!
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