Bellac is a superb setting
to relax and enjoy friends, wines, picturesque walks and even, in our case,
baby goats and lovely views.
It is also a great
jumping off place to tour many of the medieval and even older towns and sites in
the area, some of which are still vital centres today and a few of which are
sleepy and small.
With Steve and Vern we
explored…
Mortemart
This beautiful little town
holds a Medieval church from the 14th century, large stables were
added in the 15th century and in the 17th century
Carmelite and Augustine Nuns established convents. The little town square is
picturesque, sadly we saw no more than a couple of people every time we drove
through. It lived up to its nickname of Deadville.
We Found a Megalith in the Woods!
Evidently there are several very
large stones all around this part of France. They are called Megaliths and no one
knows for sure where they came from or what they, in total, might describe.
Steve and Vern had looked for them with other visitors and were pretty sure
they were fantasies. But we saw a sign, and found a path and just before we were
about to give up, there it was in the woods. So they are real, maybe Dan Brown
will tell us what they mean.
St. Junien
Another lovely little town
with a church that contained some old frescoes and evidence that the crusaders
had been in the area. We stumbled across an exhibition by the artist Jean
Lancri, which I quite liked. His work is multimedia and evocative. Scallop
shells marked this as part of the pilgrimage path that we first saw in Mont St.
Michel.
The art deco fountain is pretty cool.
Fountains seem to be a thing here.
Cross of the Crusaders
Limoges
This city is world renowned
for its porcelain and pottery. There are a few art nouveau style buildings that
are covered in porcelain tiles and mosaic images that are truly lovely. The
number of buildings that had a Tudor-like appearance surprised us. It would be
great to learn more about the architectural history of the area. Perhaps that’s
a pursuit for our rainy island winter. Oh, whom am I kidding? Let me know if
you have any inside scoop.
The turrets are charming.
Check out the broom. Hey, if it's not broken...
Check out these painting of windows. love the artist's sense of humour, or is it ego?
Richard the Lion Hearted was in this centre, hence all the lion sculptures and references throughout the old town.
This little church was built by the butchers in town.
It is tiny, and lovely inside. It has stained glass above the alter, which Dennis noted is unusual.
More interesting architecture.
We enjoyed lunch near a very old bridge
And climbed the hill to the church, but didn't go in.
Tomorrow, the rest of our adventures from Bellac.
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