The Auberge Blog

The Auberge in Bloom

The Auberge in Bloom.

March and April saw the Auberge’s garden come to life. All of a sudden the spring bulbs arrived and we had a great show of daffodils, crocus, dwarf narcissi, and tulips.

 I was especially pleased with the new island bed in the front court yard which I made and planted last year. It was in flower for over 6 weeks with various crocuses, hyacinth and dwarf narcissi.

The fruit trees this year had an abundance of blossom so there is hope for a good cherry, plum and greengage crop.

Now May is nearly over, the iris’ are giving there last hurrah and the roses are in flower. Some of the roses will flower until Christmas as long as I dead head them regularly. The lavenders are beginning to flower and the geraniums in the pots and hanging baskets look great.

In the farmers fields, the rape seed fields are long past flowering and the wheat plants are developing ears. Even the recently planted maize and sunflowers are showing signs of growth. The vines, which 3 months ago were just twigs are now in leaf and you can see where the grape bunches will be.

The downside to this is that the weeds and the lawn are also growing like mad so there is a constant battle to keep them under control.

Technorati Tags: La Petite Auberge, spring flowers

Easter in the Dordogne

Easter or Pâques in the Dordogne is a great time to come for a holiday or weekend break for many reasons.

Normally the weather is warmer than northern Europe and we get sunny days. The area is waking up after it’s winter hibernation and the restaurants and tourist sites are open so that you can enjoy the food and drink that this area is famous for. You can often sit outside at lunchtime and enjoy the warmth on your body whilst eating foie gras and drinking a local wine like Monbazillac.

What is there to do? As I said the tourists attractions shrug off their winter sleep and open to the public. All the chateaux, the prehistoric caves, parks and gardens open so there is plenty to see and enjoy. This is the time for vide greniers and brocantes – car boot sales and flea markets- wander around and try to find a souvenir of France or maybe an antique. Just contact the tourist office in the area you are staying and find out where the nearest one is.

Easter is also a good time for golfers to come here. The courses, which can be soggy in the winter, dry out and you can easily get in 18 holes in a day. Chris has been trying out the local courses – all in the name of market research you understand – and is quite happy to advise you on which courses to try!

Easter is also when the cheap airlines start to increase the number of flights into Bergerac so getting here takes less than 90 minutes from the UK.

If you want to book a weekend break at the auberge just email us on lpar@wanadoo.fr or visit our website www.auberge-razac.com .

Technorati Tags: brocantes, Dordogne, Easter in France, golf in France, monbazillac, vide greniers

The Chasse Dinner

Last Saturday night was the local chasse dinner at our new village hall.

What’s a chasse I hear you ask? The chasse is the hunters who go out on Sundays and Wednesday from September to March to hunt. Our local chasse hunt mainly wild boar and deer, Whilst I do not want to join in the chasse, I understand why they do it.

Firstly, hunting of wild animals was the prerogative of the privileged few before the revolution and the ordinary people only gained the right to hunt after 1789. The people who hunt now do so partly to keep this  bond with the revolution. Secondly, the French hunt for the pot – killed animals are eaten. The third reason is that if the population of boar and deer is not kept under control then crops are damaged and people’s livelihood is affected.

Back to the dinner – each year the hunters have a dinner, using some of the meat that comes from the hunt, and we are invited to join them. For a small fee, we had a six course meal with wine and coffee. The two main courses, were a wild boar casserole and roast venison, both cook to perfection. The wine was from the local vineyards – maybe not the best you have ever drunk, but drinkable.

The dinner started at 8pm, well that’s when we arrived although the first course was served at 9pm. Coffee was served after 1am! Last year Chris didn’t get home til after 3am so this year we had an early night.

Village meals are common in this area of France. Our small village has at least 2 per year and all the villages around us seem to have them as well. To save on the work, we all take our own crockery and cutlery which we bring home to wash. What a great idea; nobody stuck out the back washing up so all can join in the fun. In the winter they are held in the village halls or the local school whilst in the summer they are held outside. The main course at the summer meal in our village is chicken casserole with about 4 other courses and like the hunters meal it goes on late into the night. The children tend to stay awake for this meal as at the end we have fireworks.

Technorati Tags: holidays in France, hunters in Dordogne, hunting in France, village meals in France

February’s weather can be fickle

Just when you think spring could be on it’s way, the winter let’s you know it hasn’t finished yet!

I have spent the last few days working on the garden, just a few hours per day, digging up all the wild garlic bulbs and wild leeks from the flower beds. That and getting rid of dead leaves and last years flower stems has made such a difference. You can see the daffodil, crocus and hyacinth flower heads coming through.

This morning, I woke to a sprinking of snow over the garden and my 2 crocus (or is it crocii) flowers are wondering what hit them. The wind is from the north to northeast so it is raw when outside.

Hopefully this will only last for a few days as we are going to the local chasse (hunters) dinner Saturday night, so we will be walking home and I prefer it not to be snowing when I do!

Technorati Tags: crocus, flowers, Gardening, garlic

February – not as quiet as you think!

February is often the month that people try to forget as it’s either too cold or too wet to go out. Whilst this is true, there are plenty of things to enjoy if you only look.

The month starts well as the as the 2ND of February is Candlemas (La Chandeleur) and the French have their pancakes on that day. For weeks there has been crêpe pans, etc for sale in the supermarkets. There is a saying in France which is translated as:

“Eating crêpes on Candlemas Day (2nd February)
will bring a year of happiness”

In France it is custom to prepare “Crêpes” for “La Chandeleur”, which symbolises, wealth, good crops and health for the year to come. If you can toss a pancake with a coin in your hand and not drop it then you are supposed to have good luck and prosperity for 12 months. The crepe is supposed to represent the return of the sun after winter.

February sees the first of the spring flowers arrive although a friend of mine already has a crocus or two in bloom and it’s not the end of January. The hazel nut trees have been in flower since before Christmas which seems to be normal in this region. Another natural phenomenum is the arrival of the cranes on their migration north for the summer. 60 to 100 birds can be seen and heard going over in large V formations and it is a great sight to see and a sure sign that winter will soon be over.

It is also the season for brocantes and vide greniers – antique fairs and car boot sales to the English. You could pick up a piece of French history or junk – the prices vary and the junk is not always the cheapest. We have bought some old plum drying racks which we use for wall decoration from our local market.

Sarlat celebrates the goose at a fair on the 21st February. Geese are allowed to roam through the town, controlled by the herding dogs and dishes based on geese are available to tase. As it is still winter there are truffle markets to be found at St. Grenies and  Sarlat as well as foie gras markets.

If you are thinking of booking a trip here at this time of year, make sure your accommodation has central heating and bring warm clothes. The resturants that are open are often better value at this time of year and there is always wine tasting.

Technorati Tags: brocantes, crêpes, foie gras, pancacakes, Sarlat, truffles, vide greniers

What to do if you are involved in a car accident in France

Having a car accident in your own country is bad enough but in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language if is twice as bad. If you have a car accident in France then you should follow the guidelines below

• If there isn’t a policeman (gendarme) at the scene of the accident then

1. Take down the number of the other car
2. Lock up your car
3. Go with the driver of the other car to find a gendarme

• Having found the gendarme, they will make out a report in triplicate stating

1. Where the accident occurred
2. Names of both owners
3. Both insurance company details
4. What damage was done

               This report must be sent to the Insurance Company when you inform them of the accident.

• If the accident is serious, take photos.
• If someone is hurt, expect to spend up to 4 hours at a Gendarmerie. They usually have the name of a English speaking translator to help them
• If your car is the only one damaged, then the bailiff (huissier) of the commune can make the report.
• If you can’t find the bailiff or a gendarme, the local Marie (mayor) may be able to help. Look for signs for Marie or Hotel de Ville.

Remember that shouting at them in English will not help them understand you better and ALWAYS carry your insurance documents with you.

Technorati Tags: car accidents in France, France

French Signs Deciphered

When diving in France many of the road signs are the same as in the UK or are self explanatory. Sometimes there are written signs which are more difficult to decipher so I have written a list to help you out!

Technorati Tags: Driving in France, French Road signs

Useful Terms when diving in France

When diving in France many of the road signs are the same as in the UK or are self explanatory. Sometimes there are written signs which are more difficult to decipher so I have written a list to help you out!

Technorati Tags: Driving in France

September is a GREAT time for a gite holiday

Why come to the Dordogne in September?

Whilst it’s not as hot in the Dordogne in September as it is in the summer and the days are shorter, it can still reach over 30 degrees day time temperature, so you still get good holiday weather.