Sarlat is a 14th century town built around a Benedictine Abbey. It is well preserved but many of the pretty corners have been taken over by restaurants and, in the train, sun umbrellas stand in for real umbrellas and spoil photographs.
These geese are a focal point for tourists. Geese are an important part of the local economy in the form of foie gras. The market, close to the geese, sells plenty of local produce including chèvre cheese and foie gras at €100 per kilo.
We passed the monument du morts and wondered, for a moment, what was being commemorated. We soon remembered that it was the Galipoli anniversary. We have seen no other sign of the anniversary in France, although France lost as many men as Australia and New Zealand put together however we were told that the French soldiers were mainly from Algeria.
We then set off in the coach for a typical lunch of the region. For food, the answer is 'duck', what's the question?! We started with a soup with duck, then moved on to .... duck with potatoes roasted with the duck. Thankfully, pudding wasn't duck but tarte aux noix (walnut tart), walnuts being a local product.
Our next stop was La Roque-Gageac on the Dordogne river, another of the 'Plus Beaux Villlages de France'. The rain had stopped by now and the sun made an appearance enhancing the photos. We were no longer being reminded of ducks by the puddles.
La Roque is not so much a perched village, as a village built into the rock.
We walked up the hill to the other side of the church.
The rock holds the heat, so the gardens can be stocked with palms, banana trees and other tropical trees and plants.
We were booked on a boat trip down the river Dordogne and as a group, had a boat to ourselves.
When we had all boarded, the boat turned so that we could get a good view of Laroque.
The trip, which took about an hour, flew by with an entertaining commentary including many puns fortunately easy enough for us to follow. Our furthest point was Vézac.
On the way back, we had very good views of the Chateau de la Malartrie and town.
The Manoir de Tarde from the 16th century.
Dinner was in the hotel. We started with a duck salad which was followed by yet more duck. By now, most people were quacking and were sure that it would be a while before they ate duck again. Revolts were threatened for the next day if duck appeared.
Then the entertainment arrived: 4 musicians and 8 dancers. Three of the musicians had accordions, the fourth brought something related to bagpipes. After a number of dances, when a suitable opportunity arose (and another person had fled, I (Pat) retired to blog as I hate the bagpipes! In the end our group was also able to join in with the dancing.
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