France 2008

Bourdeilles, 24-27 May

Between Chinon and Bourdeilles, we stopped at Oradour-sur-Glane, a small town that was quite unremarkable until the Nazis massacred its inhabitants in 1941.

		Although obviously some work is done to keep the walls safe and the weeds in check, the town has been left as it was after the massacre, as a memorial to those killed. *
		There are plaques recording where bodies were found. *
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		The women and children were herded into the church, which was then locked and set on fire. *
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		Bourdeilles is another pretty riverside town (the Dronne this time), sloping up towards its castle. *
		View from the river bridge, with a storm about to break. *
		View along the bridge, with the castle on the left and our hotel on the right. *
		Shutters on our hotel. *
		We visited the castle, which had Medieval and Renaissance buildings. *
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		The dining room in the Renaissance building. *
		Looking down to the river. *
		The very run-down château at Mireuil, open only by guided tour (probably so visitors do not fall through holes in the floor). †
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		Château at Jumilhac-le-Grand. We could not see inside, as it was not going to open until 2 pm. We visited again in 2014, and had the doubtful benefit of a two hour tour with the owner. *
		Jumilhac-le-Grand had large grassed square with fountains in front of the château. *
		We stopped at Sarrayac, but it seemed a bit abandoned. †
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		Then on to St-Jean-de-Côle, a very pleasant village with an interesting church ... *
		a market place with a small château ... *
		and some steps that probably would not meet current Health & Safety standards. *
		We also visited Brantôme, with its monastery by the river. *
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Then on across country to Pauillac.