Unexpected Uzerche

Uzerche is a visually stunning medieval town in the Correze. We've visited many times, and I've previously shared photos of the beautiful architecture and breath-taking views. Last week, we returned there to eat at one of the ubiquitous 'farmers' markets' which are held in the evening in so many French towns and villages throughout the summer months. We've been to a few different ones, and the formula is surprisingly similar wherever you are. Local producers set up stalls selling their wares; these include all types of meats, cheeses, breads and wines, and there are usually other little extras available, such as les frites. There is always a bar or beer stall. There has always been entertainment of some sort, too, in my experience, usually a live band. There is always a central marquee, with rows of trestle tables and benches spreading outwards. Families gather from around 5pm, find a table and set up their little banqueting area for the evening amongst friends, neighbours and strangers- everyone is very welcome. You can usually purchase, for around 50 cents, a paper plate, plastic cutlery and a napkin, but most people bring their own crockery, cutlery, cups and glasses, even tablecloths. It is usual to bring your own salads, sauces and wine. There is always a jolly atmosphere, with lots of chatter and kissing (in the French way... no, not that French way!) The music is lively, going on into the early hours, with lots of laughter and dancing. There appear to be several set dances that everyone knows and joins in with. At Uzerche, for the first time, I felt a flutter of regret that I wasn't involved in the gaiety that I was surveying from the safety of my bench. So far, we have always been able to find a toilet nearby, but this doesn't seem to be a key feature of the formula...

While making our way to the venue for the farmers' market, through an area of Uzerche we hadn't previously found, we stumbled upon some unexpected delights...












The evening began with some rather nervous exotic dancers!
If you're visiting France in the summer, do pop along to one of these events; it's not a private party, no matter how much it appears to be exactly that!

Comments

  1. Rachel18 August 2016 at 06:37

    The unexpected delights? Were they the run down warehouse and the picture of a girl with a cow?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Deborah Hockey18 August 2016 at 11:13

    I wanted a word that began with U and 'unusual' wasn't quite right, and nor was 'ugly', so I went with what my gut told me. Unexpected. I didn't expect the weird warehouse and the girl with the cow (nor food poisoning...). So it's acceptable. N'est pas? And you know that everything on this planet delights me! I'm highly delightable.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The tower finds itself in high demand

Image
I've been asking Kevin to hurry up and finish the work on the south wall for AGES as I wanted the tower in order to paint the north wall. FINALLY, he scaled it and reattached the flailing planks and the loose edge-tiles. He also finished and painted the outside of the little window frames, installing mosquito nets too. It's such a relief to get all of these little jobs done! But was I to get the tower? No. Kevin fell into a frenzy of loose tile fixing all around the house! Eventually, I did secure ownership of the tower and repainted the grubby-looking north wall. No, you can't see the finished job, as, to be honest, it's still a bit grubby. And, after our aerial efforts concluded with no dramatic falls, we returned to some familiar territory of bygone renovation days: fluff puff! We have never managed to finish our master bedroom, mainly because we were waiting for a stretch of good weather in order to build the second dormer window. However, due to Covid-19, we didn...
Read more

Renavoidance?

Image
Don't ever buy a property with 8 acres of land. Unless you have a vast array of top grade farming machinery. I'd like to be sharing with you our achievements with the renovation (and I know that's what you're here for!), but most of our time has been spent mowing, strimming, raking and visiting the dechetterie. Our ride-on mower has more or less given up the ghost, and I really don't think it'd be worth mending/servicing it. I'm not sure how we're going to continue to tame the land with just two push mowers and a scythe. We've decided to leave a lot of our land as meadow, with creative paths mown through it. Farmer Joel has very kindly mown and gathered hay, but this has exposed acres of dry, unpleasant stubble. And you wouldn't believe the amount of dust and grass seed that's kicked up during the processes of cutting, turning, lining up and baling! The time of dust coincided with the time of refreshing the exterior white paint. Thankfully, n...
Read more

The sad ending we never expected to see

Image
You'd probably guessed, but we've sold up and moved back to England. Six years of renovating in our Correzian paradise had to come to a sudden end due to the folly that is Brexit, and the plague that is Covid. These unpredictable twin horrors meant that we could no longer flit between two countries with ease, and neither could our family and friends.  I thought you'd enjoy seeing some of our last views of our little French farmstead.  What do we miss the most? Friends Freedom Stunning scenery Great restaurants Beautiful villages Vide greniers Good wine at good prices Sunshine Empty roads Over and out. Thank you for following our adventure.
Read more