France Tales

On Thursday Jean-Jacques and I went to Perigeux, France with Gail and Hayes. Before we moved here I kept getting the region Perigord and the city Perigeux mixed up. To the untrained ear they sound similar. Even when you hear the difference, try saying it. Mary might was well be selling her shiny seashells by the sunny seashore for all I care.

It is a gorgeous small city. There is a Roman part, a Medeival part, a 19th century part, and a more modern part. It cascades across big and little hills. The University of Bordeaux 4 is located there, here is the site. Lots of pedestrian streets, the Vezere river runs through it. The disappointing thing is that the cathedral is ugly. It was stripped bare and has a very sad feel to it. The scaffoldingsurrounding the cathedral is almost nicer than the interior.

We went to the Museum of Perigord. There was a lot about The caves, prehistory, cro magnon, etc. What was most impressive was that much of what was stripped out of the cathedral was housed here. Looking at what was there you can’t imagine what someone was thinking when they stripped it from the church. The museumhad a wonderful interior courtyard and it was a glorious day to visit.

We went to the museum of Trompel’œil. It was fascinating. It is not my favorite style of art but they reviewed the major styles of trompe l’œil which gave me a better understanding of it so I could appreciate it. They even offer classes. one week, all day long, and you leave with a finished panel.
click here to see the museum.

It was a treat. Here is the website of the city.