Our family trip to the Southwest region of France called
The Lot!




But first, on the way, we stopped at Papy and Nicole's for a couple days; which I spent reading Papy's new book, that he wrote, and eating. Alone. At a huge table...





So, once we left the Sarthe we headed straight to Lionel and Dani's (the parents of Mom's best friend Laure) in a little village overlooking the Valley of the Lot (which is the name of the river that gives the region it's name) called Faycelles.


This is Lionel and daddy posing on the wall behind the house. Which, by the way, is the old family (Dani's family) barn that's been completely re-done as a modern home. It's beautiful!



Our first night we went down into the closest "big" town, Figeac, to get some food for the week. It's an amazing town with Medieval streets and homes. Here we are with Laure, Nicolas, and their kids Nino and Lili.




So, our first foray into the department of The Lot was to the world-famous cliff town of Rocamadour. The entire village is perched, and built, right in the cliffs. It's also one of the most beautiful villages in France. As deemed by the "State".












Three tongues!





The next day our other friends, Baptiste, Sylvie, and their son Martin arrived and we moved from Dani and Lionel's to our "Gîte" (rental house) just 15km away.

Martin was stung by a bee! Thus, the puffy left eye.


Later that day was the local bike club's weekly picnic. And it ain't just the cyclists, it's, like, the whole town! Locally, and I mean by many of the folks in these pictures, made sausages, wines, and other regional specialties! Mmmmmm....








The following day we went out and about the Valley of the Lot; stopped for a picnic; and then continued on to another amazing village called Saint Cirq La Popie. Also deemed one of the most beautiful villages in France.














After our balad of amazing villages we headed "home", but, of course, on the way was another little village we wanted to see called Espagnac Sainte Eulalie.
Now, you'll notice in the picture above, in Saint Cirq La Popie, and in the one below, that the houses in this region have a "little house" up on the roof! That little house is called a Pigeonnier (a pigeon house) where they raised their Pigeons! Nifty. ...and they're everywhere.




After a long day in the car we headed back to Dani and Lionel's for "appero" and dinner!







The next day was our trip to Cahors. World famous for their wines and the only fortified bridge with 3 towers in the world.








Dinner at "our" house!




Hip-Hop Hat....yo.




The following day was a bike ride and picnic!






The next day mom and dad went canoing on the adjacent river called the Célé!
It rained a bit but dad steered mom under the trees that lined each side so she wouldn't get too wet. He's so nice.




That same night, the weather took a turn in our favor, and just in time for the start of the "fête de la Ville"! (Village festival) Now, this festival is something very special. It starts with all the young people of the village going (for the entire week actually but the festival is 3 days) door to door to sing, have an "appero" and collect money for the festival. They must, at each house, sing their hearts out, have a drink "appero", and dance! It's an amazing sense of community and family. So, the follwing pictures are of three days of the festival! And perhaps a few things in between...


















One of the nights, for the children, they have a parade of "Lampion"! It's so cute.







One afternoon was a Petanque, "balls" (kinda like Bocce ball) tournament! We lost 1, won 2, lost 1. Great time though. We played in the streets of Faycelles. You played anywhere there was some gravel or dirt and nobody else playing. There were hundreds of people playing, so the entire town is crawling with "balls" courts! Amazing.
Mel had to take off to a dessert party and couldn't capture that many photos. There will be a next time.





One of the afternoons we went out for a little picnic and stopped in front of this amazing, abandoned castle. Bummed for the castle.



Coke.







Laure's Grandma

Grandpa

Mom



The final night of the Fête de la ville they make a dish called Truffade (a mix of local cheese and potatoes with sausage on the side. And tons of it!); as "comfort food" as you can get.
As you can see they make it in these enormous pans! Incredible!


Every night there has also been dancing and music all night. The last night is no different except it starts with this huge, village-wide (as-in, in all the streets) dinner served by the young people who sang and danced for the money to pay for most of it, followed by fireworks that they set off directly in front of, and on, the church! It's crazy. You feel the ashes from the fireworks!












The last morning...
No captions needed. Feel free to laugh and thanks for coming on our little trip to The Lot!