June 25 – Najac

Time to explore our pretty village.  The town follows the spine of a series of hilltops.  Starts at the top of one, goes doooooowwwwn the hillside, and then uuuuuppppp the other side.  We wandered the main square of the town and part way down the hill.  Lots of lovely, old buildings.

And there was an incredible view down the hill with the chateau topping the hill near the end of the street. 

Saw a number of charming pieces of children’s playground equipment,

a World War I monument,

the tourist office in a lovely building,

and a fountain carved out of a single large stone. 

Then we headed back to the hotel and got the car to drive to the other end of town and up to the Church of St. John the Baptist. 

Mary walked around this end of town...

while Paul took a walk up to the chateau on the hill.  Turns out the outer walls look complete but the interior had been quarried for stones in the late 18th century.  Quarrying stopped when part of a wall collapsed, killing several workmen.

A model of the chateau as it was originally. 

The chateau’s St. Julian Chapel.

Views of the countryside from the chateau.

Views of the Church of St. John the Baptist from the chateau. 

Views of Najac from the chateau and Mary's walk.

Doors.  Lots of interesting doors...

and a few interesting mail boxes.

A most interesting set of objects in one of the houses along the lower road between the two hilltops of Najac.

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More Najac
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We then drove down into the valley to see the very old St. Blaise Bridge.

Then it was a drive along the L’Aveyron River valley where we saw more incredible cliffs.  

We stopped in the of St. Andre de Najac for lunch. 

Then it was back to Najac.