Dinner in Sarlat
This place is magical. We are out in the countryside and the nearest town of any size is called Sarlat. It was once a walled city back in medieval times. Sarlat became a city in the 8th century! You know, I am all proud that my house in Houston was built in 1929. Being here kind of makes 1929 feel like last week. Anyway, Sarlat is one of France's best preserved and restored cities of its kind. I was told they filmed the movie 'Chocolat' here. Now I need to go back and watch it and see if spot specific places. If you have seen that movie and appreciated the scenery then you have appreciated Sarlat. It has tiny cobblestone lanes and stone buildings built right up against each other. There are few cars- most of the streets are car free and open for strolling.
We wandered into the center of the medieval city and found a cafe, sipped wine and ate. All the cafes here have outdoor seating and no one ever sits inside if they can help it. Why would you? Here are some of the views right by where we sat to eat.
This little girl was out dancing by herself in the square.
This night was one of those rare times when the boys just sat and ate. They didn't fight, whine, get up or need to be coerced to eat their dinner. It was just peaceful. We're still trying to figure out what happened so we can attempt to re-create it. Sayer entertained himself with a sticker book and by blowing bubbles in his apple juice.
As a reward for such lovely behavior, they got to enjoy some ice cream.
Walking around a place like this with them is so much fun because the streets are mostly closed to cars and you can let them roam a little. They loved the "tunnels". This would be when buildings were so close together that it made a tunnel like alley, like this. Sometimes it completely closes where they have built over a little road making a real tunnel.
When I think "medieval", I think of stones and dark buildings. There are plenty of stone buildings and dark passageways but then you turn a corner and see something amazing like this. There are very few AC's here so windows are open everywhere. I think this is why the window boxes here are so beautiful.
Don't have a place for a window box? No worries...What I love about the stones here is that in all the nooks and crannies you find tiny little plants. There is nothing really dark or medieval about these stones. They are full of life.
As the sun was setting (which is very late here, about 10:30 pm) we stumbled upon this street performer playing a pan flute. It was so beautiful and it echoed back and forth between the buildings filling the street with sound.
So, grab a pen and write Sarlat down on your "must-see-places-before-I-die-list". It is definitely a must-see!
Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 03:36PM
by
Farrah Braniff
in My Kids & Family, Travels
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Farrah Braniff
in My Kids & Family, Travels
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