tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80746857331798206872024-02-21T04:27:01.320+00:00HL Holidays - Rent a Holiday home in South West FranceGite and farmhouse holidays in the sunny South West of France - Since 1986 HL Holidays - formerly Halcyon Leisure - have been bringing guests to the départements of Lot, Lot et Garonne, Tarne et Garonne and Dordogne to enjoy the superb countryside, history, natural history and the wonderful food and wine that the sunny climate helps produce.
Explore on 2 feet, 2 wheels or 4 wheels - You are bound to find something to enchant you. HL Holidays / Vacances HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592469111966840457noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-52733210826143448692019-03-28T13:29:00.002+00:002019-03-28T13:36:24.292+00:00Truffles, Truffle hunting and Truffle markets in Lot and Quercy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>As you wander through the woodlands of the Lot département under your feet may be the so called 'black diamonds' of the culinary world - Truffles!</b><br />
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<b>The limestone soils coupled with the hot dry summers are ideal for the truffle, and throughout the Quercy and Périgord region truffles can be found, with the best areas being on the Causse de Quercy where there are important truffle markets in the season. </b><br />
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<b>There are demonstrations and visitors centres dedicated to truffles that Halcyon Leisure guests can enjoy.</b><br />
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Use of truffles in cooking has been known since ancient times, but largely died out in Europe in the Middle Ages. In the 17th and 18th century Eastern spices fell out of favour in France and truffles became an increasingly important food flavouring, and the association of truffles and French cuisine remains strong in the first quarter of the 21st century.<br />
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Mainly confined to the warmer parts of Europe for a long time, truffle production is gradually becoming established in North America and Australia with known levels of production currently rising steadily.<br />
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The truffle is a fungus - closely related to the mushroom - that grows just underground in moist soil around the roots of oak trees, although they may be found in beech and other woodlands occasionally. The precedence of oak woodland throughout Quercy and Périgord over limestone soils coupled with the climate make the habitat ideal for truffles.<br />
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The stories of truffle hunting pigs - mainly sows - are quite true, as the truffle secretes chemicals closely related to those that contained in boars saliva, and at the smell the sow becomes excited. The downside however is that pigs will devour almost anything, and persuading a large pig not to eat the valuable truffle is a matter of some skill for the owner! For this reason dogs are now the main truffle hunters, deep scenting species such as beagles and spaniels being best suited. Exchange of a treat for a truffle is a pretty good deal for the truffle hunter.<br />
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Many who have stayed at <a href="http://www.halcyonleisure.com/index.php/08-pde-pech-d-auzonne" target="_blank">08PDA Pech d'Auzonne</a> or <a href="http://www.halcyonleisure.com/index.php/34cec-chenes-d-escayrac" target="_blank">34CEC Chenes D'Escayrac</a> will have encountered 'Elliotte', the gregarious Portuguese Water Spaniel who lives nearby - he is a trained truffle hunter.<br />
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The season for truffle hunting and specialist truffle markets is in the late autumn and winter, with the first markets usually around the last week in November, and the last markets in early to mid March.<br />
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Although there are specialist areas for truffle hunters to sell their finds in the markets, many markets will have areas for truffle related produce and other foods.<br />
The beautiful Périgord town of Sarlat, on the river Dordogne east of Bergerac, hosts an annual weekend <b>Truffle Festival (Fête de la Truffe)</b> in mid January each year, where there are many cookery demonstrations and tastings, and another local speciality Paté de foie gras is also included in the celebration.<br />
For more information see the festival site <a href="https://www.sarlat-tourisme.com/je-decouvre-sarlat-et-le-perigord/les-grands-evenements-de-sarlat-des-animations-toute-lannee/fete-de-la-truffe-a-sarlat-et-academie-culinaire-du-foie-gras/" target="_blank">HERE </a> A great chance to grab a weekend away in the depths of winter - Have a look at our fully heated gites nearby available all the year round to use as your base: <a href="http://www.halcyonleisure.com/index.php/fietsen-in-dordogne" target="_blank">Gite Sarlat</a> and <a href="http://www.halcyonleisure.com/index.php/walk-gite-cycle-holiday" target="_blank">Gite Souillac </a><br />
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If you are looking for a hands on Truffle experience, Winter or Summer look up <b><a href="http://truffespassion.fr/en/" target="_blank">Truffes Passion</a>. </b>Based near the Causse de Quercy town of Limogne en Quercy, Mme Marie-France Oursival runs a Visitor experience from December until mid March, including Limogne market on Tuesdays, or for summer guests there are three tours per week, currently on Monday and Wednesday evenings or Friday mornings.<br />
She demonstrates truffle hunting with her trained beagle Mouchka, and is a mine of information on the history and cookery of the truffle - there will usually be some tasting involved!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-46600947710183916522019-03-23T09:15:00.004+00:002019-03-28T13:37:34.399+00:00Helping you get the best from your holiday home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you want to know more about what to expect when you rent a house in France with a pool.... or if you are currently in a house and need information or advice, the Halcyon Leisure FAQ Knowledge Base is here to help you. </h3>
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<a name='more'></a>Besides arranging rentals, Halcyon Leisure pride themselves on helping our Guests and our Owners enjoy the holiday letting experience, and often problems occur when information isn't available or Guests are afraid to ask. </div>
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We have put together a searchable Knowledge Base with answers to most of the questions we have been asked over 25 years of letting houses to Guests from all over the world in the Quercy and Périgord regions of South West France. </div>
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This screenshot from <a href="http://www.divona.co.uk/">www.divona.co.uk</a> illustrates how to use the search function - a search for 'swimming pool' quickly throws up a list of articles covering most aspects of a swimming pool that Guest will need, including what is expected of them regarding the daily maintenance of the pool and what to do, and when to contact the Owner or Manager. </div>
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Articles are also divided into 5 easy sections for easy browsing: </div>
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<li>Advice for those booking self catering accommodation for the first time</li>
<li>Advice for those ready to book covering the booking process, terms etc</li>
<li>Advice for those planning their stay - What to expect on arrival and departure etc</li>
<li>Answers to questions for those staying in Halcyon Leisure properties - eg Rubbish disposal</li>
<li>Information for Owners of properties</li>
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Want to know more? Link to<a href="http://www.divona.co.uk/" target="_blank"> www.divona.co.uk</a> for help to get the best from your holiday home rental in Quercy and Périgord. </h3>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-88096625840899162682019-03-22T17:21:00.000+00:002019-03-23T11:23:57.998+00:00Richard the Lion Heart and Eleanor of Aquitaine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At Gîtes Le Manoir ( <a href="http://www.halcyonleisure.com/index.php/51rcb-richard-at-bordeneuve" target="_blank">Property refs 51-56</a>) the gîtes all carry the names of people connected with local history, and among them are Richard Coeur de Lion and Alienor d'Aquitaine - Names known in their English forms (Richard the Lion Heart and Eleanor of Aquitaine) to even the least studious English pupils. So who were they, and what is the connection? <a name='more'></a></h3>
As is almost universally known, William The Conqueror of Normandy came over the English Channel in 1066 and invaded England, giving him the whole of England plus Normandy to reign over - but how could he be in two places at once?<br />
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In these distant times the easiest way to defend territory was by making alliances with your likely enemies, often by marriage, and some 50 years later, William's grandson, Henry I, found his kingdom very exposed following the death of his French based son and heir. With only a daughter to carry on the line, in 1128 he arranged that this daughter, Matilda, would marry Geoffrey of Anjou, the ruler of Anjou, the French province to the south of Normandy, which would provide security for his French interests. Fortunately, her first marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor had conveniently just been ended by the Emperor's death in 1125<br />
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Following the death of Henry I in 1135, Matilda's cousin Stephen seized the English throne against the late king's wishes, and there followed 20 years of struggle between the cousins over the English throne. The struggle was never decisive, and Matilda returned to France, which had been under the control of her husband, leaving her son Henry to pursue her English interests. <br />On Stephen's death in 1154 Henry came to the English throne as Henry II, and his mother became the representative of his French interests for the rest of her life, dying at Rouen in 1167.<br />
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Enter Eleanor of Aquitaine ....<br />
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She was born around 1122, and was first married to Louis VII, the French king, but a fifteen year marriage produced only two daughters, and despite the couple partaking in The Second Crusade to the Middle East from 1147 to 1149, the marriage was annulled in 1152.<br />
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Marriage to Henry II of England in the same year proved much more fruitful, and eight children were born to the couple. This included five sons, of whom three became kings.<br />
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However, with Eleanor came Aquitaine, giving the English king a territory that ran from the Scottish border, across the Channel to Normandy, Anjou and then down much of Western France to the Pyrenees. It is therefore not totally surprising that some 800-odd years later a strong expatriate English community should be formed in Aquitaine.<br />
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By and large Eleanor and her growing sons ran the French territory while Henry II remained in England, struggling to reform the Church with the murder of Thomas a'Beckett at Canterbury being the best known event with which he was associated.<br />
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However, relations became strained as Mother and sons took against their father, and with Henry II emerging victorious in the struggle between them, in 1173 Eleanor was returned to England and imprisoned for the next fifteen years. Henry II was more merciful to his sons, who all swore allegiance to him.<br />
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Enter Richard....<br />
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With the death of his older brothers William in infancy and Henry aged 28 in 1183, the third son Richard became King of England on Henry II's death in 1189, and among his first acts he released his mother from captivity in England. Other acts around the time of his coronation included ruthless persecution of the Jewish community in England which included the infamous Massacre of York. <br />
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Richard, although born near Oxford, spent very little time in England - probably less than six months in total. His reputation as a warrior, gained as a teenager when leading armies in France, led him to undertake the Third Crusade to the Holy Land between 1190 and 1192, and to prevent the French king usurping in his absence, he formed an alliance with Phillip II and together they set off via Sicily and Cyprus to attempt to free Jerusalem from the grasp of Saladin's forces.<br />
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During his time on Cyprus, Richard married Berengaria of Navarre, despite being officicially engaged to another European noble before his departure. However, the marriage was not a success, and remained childless. Modern historians have questioned Richard's sexuality, and have examined his relationship with Phillip II of France in particular.<br />
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Returning to Europe, a shipwreck forced him to head towards France across land, and he was taken prisoner and held to ransom by Leopold V, Duke of Austria.<br />
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He remained a prisoner for a year, before his mother, Eleanor, acting as regent in his absence, arranged the payment of a substantial ransom, and Richard returned to England where he had to deal with the stealthy acquisition of support by his brother John, the last town to fall to Richard being Nottingham. Subsequent folklore, fuelled by Hollywood, has related this event to the legend of Robin Hood, but sadly the Robin Hood legend occurs at least some 150 years later.<br />
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Richard's hold on France had also become weak, and he undertook campaigns against his former ally Phillip II to reclaim lands lost. This included an extensive building of fortifications, including a substantial castle at Penne d'Agenais, near Villeneuve-sur-Lot., and this is the connection with the area from which the gîtes at Le Manoir take their names.<br />
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During this time, at the battle of Gisors (Courcelles) in 1198, Richard adopted the motto 'Dieu et mon droit' and this motto is still in use by the British monarchy today.<br />
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Richard met a grizzly end after a stray crossbow bolt fired during practice hit him, and after removal the wound became gangrenous, causing his death in the arms of his mother, Eleanor, a couple of weeks later.<br />
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His heart was buried at Rouen, and the remainder of his body in his Father's tomb at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou, where his mother's body was also laid to rest following her death five years later at the age of 82. Fontevraud is near Saumur on the banks of the Loire.<br />
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John succeeded his brother, but was disliked by the French dukes, and the British hold on the French part of their kingdom was never properly secure again, ending ultimately after the Hundred Years war in the middle of the 15th century, some 250 years after Richard's death. <br />
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Today little remains of Richard's castle at Penne d'Agenais, but its
site can be clearly seen for miles around on any bright day, as church
of Notre Dame de Payregude (Perigord) with a glistening silver dome
stands on the site, and the dome shines brightly in sunlight, looking
over the spectacular countryside of the river Lot and the vale beyond.<br />
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Further information on Penne d'Agenais available <a href="http://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/penne-agenais-1596.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-53099392258930575672016-04-09T12:24:00.000+01:002019-03-23T08:49:34.603+00:00Les Causses de Quercy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFu6UPsV5Z3Y49LhL6LmHovfLqFOfz8y5ek1LO8Nc1zj05qJ3L22C1jrrCWVE9sQPm3IbCcChf-56EmA9DAD9Agw0x-Dz2XeOBi9NpNeKeH_zrFoeLQ8AW31XUZchMIFN91PpZf35Kkw/s1600/aveyron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFu6UPsV5Z3Y49LhL6LmHovfLqFOfz8y5ek1LO8Nc1zj05qJ3L22C1jrrCWVE9sQPm3IbCcChf-56EmA9DAD9Agw0x-Dz2XeOBi9NpNeKeH_zrFoeLQ8AW31XUZchMIFN91PpZf35Kkw/s320/aveyron.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aveyron Gorge</td></tr>
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<b>'Causse' is not a word that will often be encountered in UK GCSE French, or indeed 'A' Level French, but any traveller with any lateral view in the departements of Lot, Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne will undoubtedly notice it on maps. So rare is it that it is not even included in the online version of Collins English/French dictionary. </b><br />
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Wikipedia however comes to the rescue - The word came into modern French from the Occitan language, (an ancient language of eastern France, northern Italy and parts of Switzerland). Causse defines an area of level limestone landscape, so a Causse will sit comfortably with the Karst landscapes of the Balkan countries, the Burren in Co Claire, Ireland and parts of the UK such as the Mendip Hills of north Somerset.<br />
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Limestone landscapes by definition include number of features:<br />
Firstly, deep river gorges - The impressive Aveyron Gorge runs through the area, as well as parts of the Lot to the east of Cahors being very steep sided<br />
Secondly Caves - particularly to the north of the river Lot there are many caves, the most noted being Pech Merle, and a little further to the north the world renowned Caves of Lascaux, inhabited since prehistoric times.<br />
Thirdly, a specific ecosystem adapted to the alkaline limestone soil conditions and the lack of depth to the soul. Cliffs, crags and caves also offer secure nesting for a wide variety of bird and mammal species, but less suitable conditions for human habitation which is usually sparse in such regions, so natural history is often a great feature.<br />
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The Causse de Quercy marks the south west point of a group of Causses that make up the Massif Central,and for Halcyon Leisure guests this map shows where the Causses de Quercy Natural Park lies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgnU9nDKwTh_kwIS2Exw2574sJfMpwxs6Ro2-7VxXQuQUEs843xRnjrDAEcBCsWOp58mBB7ZLEaTRWHCD9kArpLrAwi8pjuJOCCUy9s_72BzGVTmM8ZYDHXhf1M-hoy5JQC_2lyK_Ur4/s1600/france-map-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgnU9nDKwTh_kwIS2Exw2574sJfMpwxs6Ro2-7VxXQuQUEs843xRnjrDAEcBCsWOp58mBB7ZLEaTRWHCD9kArpLrAwi8pjuJOCCUy9s_72BzGVTmM8ZYDHXhf1M-hoy5JQC_2lyK_Ur4/s1600/france-map-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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The main road along the eastern edge of the park is the A20 /E9 from Toulouse and Montauban northwards, and most Halcyon Leisure properties will be within the area covered by this map.<br />
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The Causse de Quercy is subdivided into four - from the south northwards - Le Causse de Limogne, then Le Causse de Gramat, and it is these two that make up the Natural Park. The steep sided valley of the river Lot divides the two, and the picturesque town of St Cirq Lapopie is the gateway between them. <br />
Further north in the Lot is Le Causse de Martel, and finally into Corrèze is Le Causse de Corrèze.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2Ogorv2BpjuHwMhIBCfjJUbLlitBYJx7xogJyiozP6i4ev7bYtrwYFQ6WbyFbVQP59yre1HvOaSbf3BTxXy0zo8s_F4NizhyphenhyphenDpU7hoj8wtmkW6oXwr4xI9MYCKVqzPR47ofZi99qAIg/s1600/dolmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2Ogorv2BpjuHwMhIBCfjJUbLlitBYJx7xogJyiozP6i4ev7bYtrwYFQ6WbyFbVQP59yre1HvOaSbf3BTxXy0zo8s_F4NizhyphenhyphenDpU7hoj8wtmkW6oXwr4xI9MYCKVqzPR47ofZi99qAIg/s320/dolmen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolmen near Limogne-en-Quercy</td></tr>
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The Causse de Limogne in the south is the one most likely to be visited from Halcyon Leisure properties, and visitors should look out for juniper trees and bushes, saffron crocuses growing in field scale operations, and in winter this is an excellent area for truffle hunting.<br />
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It is also an area rich in history, with Roman roads crossing it, and numerous prehistoric dolmens throughout. <br />
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As the websites say, wonderful areas to explore by bicycle, on foot and by car or canoe. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contesou Fleur (for 3/4 people) </td></tr>
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The most suitable properties for exploring this wonderful landscape are 32LEB L'Erabelle which is located just north of Caylus and 38/39/40 Contensou which are within a mile of the Aveyron Gorge near St Antonin Noble Val. Properties in the Montcuq area including 23CDC Clos du Cèdre, 8PDA Pech d'Auzonne and 45/46TLT La Tuilerie are also within easy reach. <br />
For details of these properties, please see the<a href="http://www.halcyonleisure.com/" target="_blank"> Halcyon Leisure website </a><br />
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More information on the Causse de Quercy and what you are likely to find can be found on good pages at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.saint-cirqlapopie.co.uk/nature/causses-du-quercy-regional-natural-park" target="_blank">St Cirq La Popie Website</a><br />
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<a href="http://uk.parc-causses-du-quercy.fr/" target="_blank">Causses de Quercy website</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-79184804521396505102016-03-14T16:17:00.003+00:002019-03-23T08:48:52.251+00:00The patron saint of France<h4>
With <span style="color: lime;"><b><span style="color: black;">'Paddy's Day' (St Patrick's Day, March 17th)</span></b></span> upon us this week, and the patron saints of the constituent parts of the UK well known (Saints Andrew, George and David) we take a look at the Patron saints of France.</h4>
Yes - Saints plural! There are several with varied claims, and further than that, most villages, towns and cities also have their own nominated patron saints, so there is an interesting debate as to who is right and wrong wherever you travel.<br />
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The Kings of France dedicated the country to the <b>Virgin Mary</b>, and her feast day, 'L'Assomption de Marie' on 15th August survived the secularisation of France following the 1792 Revolution It remains a National Holiday, but very much in the shadow of 'Fête Nationale' or Bastille Day which falls on the 14th July annually, commemorating the Fall of the Bastille during the French Revolution.<br />
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There are then six other saints with claims to being national patron saints, three males and three females. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr9LaazOAbHhTPBquED51saRWOagkjy3CyhOCyQhWmq4Qjh9RkeQT-I0LaCDAgorAmI9yWFOUuTuHgOJzi5XeDfi58X9TVayWvbZ8GQiMqHpVyg1N74RDwGQAru7nOuM4gO1PCKOWLXg/s1600/stmartin.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr9LaazOAbHhTPBquED51saRWOagkjy3CyhOCyQhWmq4Qjh9RkeQT-I0LaCDAgorAmI9yWFOUuTuHgOJzi5XeDfi58X9TVayWvbZ8GQiMqHpVyg1N74RDwGQAru7nOuM4gO1PCKOWLXg/s1600/stmartin.jpg" /></a>The males are headed by <b>St Martin of Tours</b>, a 4th Century Hungarian who came to France as a soldier in the Roman army. He is best remembered for 'The Cutting of the Cloak' in which he met a scantily clad beggar on a cold winter day, and cut his large military cloak in two, giving half of it to the beggar. <br />
Soon after this he left the Roman Army, and was baptised into the Christian church to become a disciple of St Hilary of Poitiers, and established an abbey there in 361 AD. He became Bishop of Tours ten years later,<br />
Dying in 397AD, by his own request he was buried in the Cemetery of the Poor on 11th November, which was to become his Feast Day.<br />
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The relics of Martin of Tours were placed in the Cathedral, and became a focus for pilgrimage and reported miracles throughout the Middle Ages.<br />
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The next male saint is <b>St Remigius</b>, another early saint of the 5th and 6th century AD. He was a favourite of the French king Clovis, and Clovis bestowed on Remigius gifts of land for the establishment of abbeys and churches. Clovis was a great warrior, winning large areas in the north east of France from the Visigoths, as the result of which he moved his capital from Soissons to Paris. <br />
The miracle for which Remigius is best known is the turning of empty vials into vials filled with oil when he baptised a dying beggar, and he was also responsible for the baptising of Clovis which was seen as a major achievement to convert the warrior king. <br />
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<b>St Denis (or Dionysious in Latin)</b> was one of a group of Roman Bishops sent to Gaul in the 3rd century to convert the Gauls to Christianity. He went on to become the Bishop of Paris, but ended up being beheaded at what is now Montmartre during a persecution of Christians by the Emperor Decius. It is believed that this martyrdom was what gave the highest hill in Paris its name. <br />
It is said that after his beheading he picked up his head, and then walked ten kilometres, preaching a sermon of repentance all the way.<br />
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Of the females, <b>St Clothilde</b> is very much the earliest, being the wife of Clovis who was baptized by St Remigious above. She was born a princess, daughter of king Gondioc of what is now Burgundy, and seemingly survived a number of patricides, infanticides and matricides among her quite large family.<br />
She and her sister Croma went into a nunnery when still quite young - presumably to escape her bloodthirsty siblings and parents, and lived exceptionally pious lives. <br />
Aged 28, one of Clovis' ambassadors noticed her, and the marriage was arranged, and of five children she bore, three became kings of various parts of the Frankish tribe, and a daughter married the king of the Visigoths.<br />
Clovis died in 511, and Clothilde retired to the Abbey of St Martin at Tours, but in seeking revenge for earlier murders of members of her family seemed to trigger off a number of further murders of which only her grandaughter Clodoald survived while the three kings also fought battles against each other.<br />
She founded a number of convents and other religious orders and is also venerated for helping to persuade her warrior husband to convert to Catholicism.<br />
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<b>Ste Thérèse de Lisieux </b>had an unusual path to sanctity, as she was a cloistered nun who only lived to the age of 24 in the later years of the 19th century. Nobody met her, and she met nobody outside the Discalced Carmelite (OCD) order of nuns in which she lived and worked. She has risen to levels of popularity similar to Francis of Assissi.<br />
This has been achieved by the stunning archive of autobiographical and other writings she left at her death, including poems, plays and letters. These were collected together under the title 'Story of a Soul' which found its way to Rome, and around thirty years after her death she was canonized, and the basilica at Lisieux is now the second most visited place of pilgrimage in France after Lourdes.<br />
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The last patron saint of France needs little introduction - <b>Joan of Arc. </b>Like St Thérèze, she died in her 20s, but not before establishing a formidable reputation as a warrior in the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years War. <br />
Born a peasant, she claimed that visions of angels and saints instructed her to support the French king Charles VII and help him recover France from the English domination of the later part of the Hundred Years War early in the 15th Century. She was sent to Orléans on a relief mission for the siege there, and the siege was lifted nine days later. <br />
Several victories later led to Charles VII being crowned at Reims, before the final victory.<br />
Shortly after she was captured by the Burgundian Faction who handed her over to the English, who burned at the stake on 30 May 1431.<br />
Over succeeding centuries she was declared a national symbol by several leaders, including Napoleon Bonaparte, and was finally canonized in 1920.<br />
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There is a long list of other saints who might be considered as secondary patron saints of France, but these seven appear to have the strongest claims, and a variety of interesting stories among them. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-78038783014262290432015-12-22T22:30:00.000+00:002019-03-23T08:48:20.543+00:00Les Plus Beaux Villages de FranceThis week we look at Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and what it means,<br />
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Les Plus Beaux Villages began as recently as 1982 as a loosely bound association of around 60 French villages whose stated aims included promotion of their history and heritage, and the avoidance of 'certain pitfalls' including soul less museums and amusement parks.<br />
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The Association now embraces 153 villages throughout France, and this includes the villages of Auvillar, Bruniquel, Lauzerte, Monflanquin, Monpazier, Pujols-le-haut and St Cirq Lapopie, being the villages closest to the area where Halcyon Leisure properties are situated.( the departments of Lot, Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne: Monflanquin is in Dordogne, but will be a familiar name to those driving south from Bergerac)<br />
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The villages' strategy is built around three values designed to raise awareness and promote tourism whilst protecting their heritage and history: To gain acceptance as a 'Plus Beau Village' there is firstly a 30 point Quality plan that has to be satisfied, followed by an agreement to protect the village and support measures to promote the village and other Plus Beaux Villages by a number of means.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB7oB5kzGDCXomAOSwK20j-6z7R20PDemwzfpMO8qntL6Z_Dwp-v2uL63t1H14GmGzxelceZW_ywChsTURLhtL_hDS91-mXJWTxK1hgjIo_olLBn8Fhsk1-89_-GwVR1tU4KMLIdntSk/s1600/issigeacmkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB7oB5kzGDCXomAOSwK20j-6z7R20PDemwzfpMO8qntL6Z_Dwp-v2uL63t1H14GmGzxelceZW_ywChsTURLhtL_hDS91-mXJWTxK1hgjIo_olLBn8Fhsk1-89_-GwVR1tU4KMLIdntSk/s1600/issigeacmkt.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market at Issigeac</td></tr>
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Villages also undergo re-assessment every six years to ensure the aims and ethos of the Association are being maintained, and a village's membership could be suspended if the assessment determined that standards had dropped.<br />
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The Association has a variety of funding sources which are mainly Regional Governments in France, but private sponsorship has also been forthcoming from industry, and there are also schemes running with Michelin maps and other publishers.<br />
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This scheme has given rise to similar schemes in Wallonia (Belgium), Italy, Quebec and Japan, and these five schemes have formed the basis of an international organisation: Schemes in Romania. Germany, Spain, Korea and Russia are also affiliated but at this time not full members of the wider organisation. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-20467903210881168872015-12-14T21:28:00.000+00:002019-03-23T08:47:54.525+00:00The land of wine and honey.... and fruit... and vegetables... and nuts.... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The land between the Lot, Garonne and Tarn rivers is a true cornucopia for food enthusiasts, with the rolling landscape providing differing soil types for a wide range of foods to be produced. This post describes what and where to look for.<br />
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Vineyards and wineries are liberally spread throughout the area, with a good concentration along the Lot producing the fine Cahors AOC wines that are famed throughout the world. Many wineries are open for tastings and direct purchase, and are often based in Chateaux and manoirs. Often they have wider product offerings - for example Domaine du Garinet at le Boulvé near Tournon d'Agenais where they also produce plums for prune products, and also walnuts for oils and other products.... including baked products which are often sold at the local markets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CoLMR2WBuauikrSrQw-qb-pGa5TnwjV1y4fE6boDIzRZL6JrO7f6df8V1Vi523-NVyzGdCBn-Zdo8IdL-VK3IcU6Njhaqo2iRJ60eOLU8XzI3djLzBQYUcbr3uGo7jEvRXrPZUMKHDo/s1600/pruneaux05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CoLMR2WBuauikrSrQw-qb-pGa5TnwjV1y4fE6boDIzRZL6JrO7f6df8V1Vi523-NVyzGdCBn-Zdo8IdL-VK3IcU6Njhaqo2iRJ60eOLU8XzI3djLzBQYUcbr3uGo7jEvRXrPZUMKHDo/s320/pruneaux05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Soft fruit orchards are also plentiful in the area, many producing plums for processing into Pruneau d'Agen, but don't be fooled into thinking of prunes from your schooldays: These have a rich, deep superior flavour. Other soft fruits include apples, pears, apricots and peaches. Consequently blossom time in April and May makes the countryside a place of great beauty as it comes alive with flowers, in just the same way that the vibrant colours of the vines at the other end of the season lend the countryside streaks of vivid colour in October and November as they try to outdo the autumn colours of the oak trees before the onset of winter.<br />
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Not to be outdone in the floral beauty stakes, acres of sunflowers obediently follow the sun during the day in the height of summer, intermingled with other cereal crops and field scale vegetables including melons, squashes and more.<br />
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In an area of floral beauty, it's no surprise that some of the finest honies that bees can make are found in the Quercy area, and these and many other artisan food products will be found at the markets that are held every day of the week somewhere in the area. <br />
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Quality meats are also produced in the area, with ham, lamb, veal, rabbit and especially duck being well known specialities of the area - and the duck breast with variations of fig and other fruit sauces that are on many restaurant menus are impossible to resist.<br />
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A wide variety of cheeses will also be found, including those made from goat's and sheep's milk: Just to the east of Cahors is the area of Averyon where the noted Sheep's milk cheese Roquefort is produced.<br />
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All these ingredients are skilfully used by chefs and restauranteurs throughout the area to produce delicious restaurant dishes of an almost invariably high standard to make the gastronomic journey to the Quercy region most memorable - and washed down with the finest wines....... Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-78939312971146543732015-11-30T23:46:00.001+00:002015-11-30T23:46:50.400+00:00WOULD YOU LIKE TO BLOG FOR US? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please contact us in the first instance, or forward your posts at around 250 - 500 words with images. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Posts should be relevant to this area of France, or otherwise relevant to the business and activities of the company:</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074685733179820687.post-47160500668088599252015-11-30T23:40:00.000+00:002019-03-23T08:57:53.236+00:00Welcome to the blog of Halcyon Leisure - holiday home rentals in the Quercy area of South West France<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">38CON Contensou - Peace in the countryside near the Aveyron Gorge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Welcome to the blog of Halcyon Leisure - Holiday rental specialists operating in the South West of the Quercy region in South West France. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Halcy<span style="font-family: inherit;">on Leisure properties are<span style="font-family: inherit;"> c<span style="font-family: inherit;">urrently in four departments - Lot, Lot-et-Garonne,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Ta<span style="font-family: inherit;">rn-et-Garonne and Dordogne. <span style="font-family: inherit;">The current area is bounded roughly by the <span style="font-family: inherit;">R<span style="font-family: inherit;">iver Dordogne in the north <span style="font-family: inherit;">b<span style="font-family: inherit;">etween Sarlat and Bergerac<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, Down to Agen<span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">up the Garonne to Montauban, and back to <span style="font-family: inherit;">Cahors<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span><br />
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Mainly centred around Montaigu de Quercy, other areas where properties are situated include Tournon d'Agenais, Montcuq and Lauzerte, but we are always keen to work in new areas, so please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can help you either as a Guest visiting the area or an Owner wishing to make your home available for holiday rental.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Properties range from Chateaux and Manoirs to humble cottages and even small apartments, and sleep from 2-32 people. The majority have swimming pools, but we are sure we can find somewhere for nearly anybody. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">La Colamine - A Quercy farmhouse</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Halcyon Leisure offer a very personal service for Guests and Owners alike: Our team will have visited all properties personally, and deal with all aspects of the enquiry and booking processes personally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are especially keen to work with Owners, probably busy in their own everyday spheres, who don't wish to undertake the work of marketing and administering their own lets, often UK residents who wish to subsidise their second homes in France with holiday rental letting</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's the first post, and who we are. We will be inviting Guest bloggers to post about various aspects of life in France, travelling to France, property in France, Food in France and much more as we go along - Please bookmark this blog and come back from time to time and find out whats new!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com