Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

Life's too short to play it safe

The charm and beauty of French villages.

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This post is for Robert-the-Skeptic, since he’s requested photos and videos of my stay in southwest France. I believe Robert is planning a trip to France with his wife. I hope you visit the southwest part of France. It’s beautiful, and you won’t be disappointed by the cruise on the river Lot.

There is no better way to view the history and charm of 13th Century French villages, than on a one-day “croisiere” (river barge cruise) meandering along the river Lot in southern France.

Pedestrian Bridge in Cahors
Exhibits are held on the bridge. 

Our cruise started in the town of Cahors, located between Limoges in the north and Toulouse in the south, and meandered through eight locks ending at the charming village of  Saint-Cirq Lapopie.

How would you like to live in this house at the base of Saint-Cirq Lapopie?

“Racine de vie”
In the tiny village of Saint Cirq Lapopie, I had the pleasure of meeting artist and sculptor, Jean-Jacques Gauthier who used to live in Paris and decided to move to this tiny village to work on his sculptures.
I love the sculpture above which translated means, “Root of life.”  He carved it out of chestnut. He also uses walnut and apple tree roots.

Next post, a video of the river cruise and what it’s like to go through a lock where the boat is raised to the next water level along the river Lot.

Comments

  1. Kelli Nørgaard says

    Looks like your trip has been fabulous! Lots of little treasures that you have discovered along the way!!!!

  3. LadyFi says

    What a delightful place! My daughter and I enjoyed your little video. What a charming place!

  5. GutsyWriter says

    @Kelli
    Yes, many treasures in that part of the world.
    @Phivos
    Are you talking about the sculpture?
    @LadyFi
    Glad to see you and your daughter watched my video. Please thank her.
    @Jeanie
    I sure did, especially being with my dad whom I hadn't seen in two years.

  6. Ocean Girl says

    Hi. The villages are charming and beautiful indeed. The lock video would be interesting to see too.

  7. Rob-bear says

    What a beautiful trip. Part of the world I'm not likely to ever see.

    Thanks for sharing your adventure.

  9. Robert the Skeptic says

    Sonia: THANK YOU, your pictures brought back so many lovely memories. One of my favorite places was another tiny village north of Lyon called Brancion. I had a very "magical" experience there which, if I can find the photographs, I might just blog about.

    Thank you for sharing your photos and videos… it makes me want to go back so eagerly.

  10. she's cookin' says

    How different from the world we live in! Beautiful, quaint, evocative – thanks for sharing!

  11. Miss Footloose says

    Lovely pictures!

    I loved driving through the south of France a few years ago, on the small roads, not the big ones! We stayed one night in a fabulous small inn and had the best 6 course dinner ever. We just found the place by accident. The beds were old and saggy, but the food made up for it!

    There is so much character in these old villages!

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