Church on Sunday...Notre Dame, Vierzon

The first stone church on the site of current Notre Dame church in Vierzon (Cher) dates from the 12th century. That was a single nave construction which then had an impressive bell tower added in the 13th century. The spire we see today dates however from the 19th century as the original had been destroyed during the revolution.

It wasn't until the 15th century that the side aisles and chapels were added.

There is a carved 12th century baptismal font in the church.

It has some 15th century examples of stained glass windows.

The ornate ceiling of the one of the side chapels.

!8th century pulpit and organ.

The church's wall of remembrance.

Shrine of St Perpetua the patron saint of Vierzon

By Gaetan Poix (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons 


Where's Joan?...not here in spite of the town being a key strategic position for the rallying of her troops.

The church is located in the medieval part of the town which has had some major restoration work carried out.

Something else for the weekend...at Ethni'cite

Ethni'Cite - invites you to its third craft market on the weekend and 08 August 9th.
From 14h to 23h and Saturday from 10h to 18h Sunday. Free admission to the program: meeting with the artisans, demonstrations, on-site dining and musical entertainment on Saturday night !!!

Animation musicale provided by ''I Don't Know' Cally, David and Christian with big Jim Mc Neill (as opposed to wee Jim) doing a bit of singing.(8.00pm)

After the fireworks...the afterglow.

This was the scene as we made our way back through Angles-sur-l'Anglin after the fireworks last Sunday.

Something else for the weekend...back to medieval times

The castle's courtyard will host a medieval village with its many shops and craftsmen here for the occasion.

The Company will host MANDRAGORE these days with many workshops such as dubbing, knights, blacksmithing, etc.

Joining them many artisans will display and sell their art (jewelry, wooden toys, bookbinding, tales, ancient beverage, bakery, etc.).

Something for the weekend...brocantes Sunday 9th August

 Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 9^thAugust

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

AMBOISE - Brocante vide grenier marché gourmand ?

COUZIERS - Brocante et vide-grenier *

CROUZILLES -  Brocante / Vide-greniers ***

FAYE LA VINEUSE -  Brocante / Vide-greniers **

LIGUEIL - Brocante / vide greniers ?

LOCHES - Brocante d'été **

MARCAY - Vide-greniers **

RICHELIEU - Brocante photo *

SAINT AVERTIN - Vide-greniers ?

YZEURES SUR CREUSE - Brocante, vide-greniers et fête à l'andouillette ***

Something for the weekend...bygone days.

As part of "Chaumussay remembers" this year the village has chosen to remember the war years  WWI (1914-1918) & WWII (1939-1945).through exhibitions, at various venues,of material put together by local residents.

There is a lot of war history connected to this part of Southern Touraine, For example the control of the demarcation line between occupied and 'free France' went through the village, from June 30 to December 15, 1940, before being moved to Descartes. Through the exhibitions will be able to see how local life was affected. Starts at 10.00am.

In the evening (8.30) you will be treated to a free concert of  'songs from between the wars' 

Loches 'Marché Nocturne'...

Loches' market is always a good day out  but why not try it with its nighttime ambiance with musical accompaniment. 

Barrou brocante...with a little help from our friends

Sunday's brocante here in Barrou proved to be a good social event and also a successful day as stallholders for us. Our jewellery proved quite popular, which had a lot to do with its presentation - due to the kind loan of display items from Jean  

It was a beautiful day but very hot hot hot...our parasol at No 92 was a bit bulky and large but our good friends Norman and Margaret let us borrow one of theirs with Norman bringing its heavy concrete base up to us in his wheel barrow...how kind. Saved us from sunstroke!

Some of the locals had their own unique form of sun protection!

Our stall included a variety of items...including the kitchen sink

The square in the village is ideal for such an event and Willi and Sandra seemed to be doing a roaring trade from the restaurant.

The big cuddly toys were in evidence as usual though the white tiger didn't hang around too long - maybe he heard Walter Palmer was in town!

Some of our friends had stalls and all enjoyed the experience.

Big bang theory....

The theory was was good and the 'big bang' and company were excellent but our evening dining out at the No15 in Angles-sur-l'Anglin to watch the fireworks proved to be less than perfect..

The location near the river might have seemed like a good place to view the excellent show the village puts on but in reality the castle ruins,which take centre stage in the event, were shielded by trees...

apart that is, from the small chapel which only served to give us a taste of what we were missing. The musical backing was also less obvious but we tried not to let it spoil our evening.

Our 22 euro menu consisted of half a small melon filled with port, spit-roasted lamb, cheese and a cupcake. Unfortunately Pauline's portion of lamb proved to consist of no actual meat. They did quickly exchange it but it did feel that whoever was cutting the meat wasn't familiar with the process! 

The service proved difficult for the hard working staff who must have covered a few miles during the evening.

of  this, a special annual event for the No 15, who do excellent English teas and lunches.

Thankfully when the firework display got into full throttle we were treated to a wonderful display in the sky above treetop level.

The 'big bang'

Church on Sunday...St. Martial Chateauneuf-sur-Loire

The original church of Saint Martial de Châteauneuf-sur-Loire dates from the13th century but what you see today is a church whose ultimate design is the result of religious wars revolution and world wars. Some Romanesque features remain alongside Gothic and add to this 15^th 16^th and 17^th century ‘reworks’ and what we now have is a building of three parts. You enter the church from under an arched porch which is actually the old nave with its sides removed, WWII damage meant this was necessary.

Inside the ‘newer’ church your eyes are immediately drawn upwards to the wood panelled ceiling of the nave.

The 17th century altarpiece, restored after the last war, is decorated with two statues (Saint Martial and Saint Pierre) plus and a crucifix. 

The church's famous marble mausoleum erected in honor of the Marquis Louis de La Phélypeaux Vrilliere in 1686 by his son Balthazar, required only slight restoration.

 It is apparently "a fine example of funeral art Italian classic".

Most of the stained glass has been replaced by modern examples.

There is an interesting 'salon' set up at the back of the church.

The three parts...

Full house...renting in the Loire Valley

We are having another good season of renting here in the Loire Valley with 'Le Bourg' actually being fully booked to the end of the season...

and 'Les Balcons' only with 5 days at the end of August and 2 weeks in September still available.

One of the very satisfying things this year is the number of returning guests, some for the third time, it is always a pleasure to see them.