When researching areas to include in this itinerary, Mary found recommendations for Gluge because of it's location. So we decided to visit it today. Turns out Gluge is a veeeeerrrry small village that is tucked up against some pretty massive cliffs, on the Dordogne River.
We had a hard
time getting into the village as all of the roads seemed to be reserved for
residents. However, we eventually got
there, parked in a hotel’s parking lot and headed into the small village. Turned out to be totally dead…no shops, no people about, not much of anything except old buildings and the impressive, towering cliffs.
We did find St. Pierre es Liens de Gluges, a small church. Unfortunately, it was closed.
The small, square in front of the church was the Place Edith Piaf, named after the famous French chanteuse.
The story is that Edith loved the little village and used is as a getaway from her hectic life. And she donated money for a stained-glass window in the church. Too bad we couldn’t get in to see it.
We only spent about a half hour there and then decided to head to Martel, a nearby town, for lunch. It turned out to be a good choice. Some photos from our brief wandering around the old town.
Their market was going on, under a large, old, covered market structure.
After doing a bit of shopping (we bought a yummy Walnut Tart - we are in walnut country) and wandering we found a restaurant for lunch. From there we headed back to the park near the parking lot where we enjoyed our tart.
Saw this beautiful old car in the parking lot.
Nearby was an old telephone booth that had been turned into a lending library.
We still had half a day left and decided to go to the Eyrignac Manor and Gardens. This manor house and gardens have been in the same family for 500 years.
an algae covered pond,
and interesting old buildings and stone walls.
There was an art exhibition going on with ant art located all over the garden.
There was even some chicken art.
We wandered down a very shady lane to a Chinese Pagoda,
then to the nearby Green Room.
lots of trimmed hedges,
and some green arches.
We eventually made it to the manor itself, still in use by the family.
Nearby was the family chapel, still in use today.
From there we explored some tall hedges that seemed a bit like a maze.
We found the aviary (really a sheltered bird feeding station),
and the Lover’s Room.
Nearby was The Mirror, a large reflecting pond.
More walking and we got to the Wash Place,
and the tree nursery. In the tree nursery they are going trees and shrubs in anticipation of using them as replacements when replace older trees may need to be replaced. An interesting concept. They are very prepared.
There was also the Topiary Farmyard filled with topiary farm animals,
and the kitchen garden.
The paths lead back to the White Garden, with lots of water features. There hadn’t been many water features in other parts of the gardens.
And the Japanese Torii gate lead back into the huge lawn area and the exit.
*************************************
More Eyrignac Manor and Gardens
*************************************
Again, it was
very hot so after leaving the gardens we headed to the café where we got ice
cream. Seem to be doing that a lot.
This was a busy
day.
Previous
Next
No comments:
Post a Comment