September – November 2018 Issue 36
uercy Local The
The Region’s FREE magazine in English
The Autumn Edition Inside – Clocks, Cheese & Côteaux du Quercy Saffron and Almond Cake The Village of Cabrerets Home Made Loveliness Parisot Literary Festival Marvellous Mint Harvest Fayre
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4 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
CONTENTS
Welcome to the autumn edition. Autumn’s my favourite time of year. The weather is generally kinder and this summer we’ve had quite enough extreme heat! Things feel more peaceful. But, that doesn’t mean that things aren’t happening. The busy night markets may have finished – but many great-causes are busy with events to help raise important funds. In this edition we’ve highlighted a few ‘Home Made with Love’ producers. It’s early but we wanted to include these talented ladies in this edition. Giving everyone plenty of time to think about gift-buying for later in the year! Buying from a huge shop doesn’t make anyone’s day. Buying from home-producers does! Talking of talent – we’ve also included some details of the 6th ‘Festilitt’ – Parisot’s Literary Festival this October. An event with an international following and which demonstrates that SW France is home to an extraordinarily vibrant cultural life. You just need to know where to look! We’ve visited the little village of Cabrerets and found out more interesting things than we could squeeze into these pages. We’re so spoilt with a region full of delights and endless history. Each place we visit throws up something new and interesting. To tell us about your village or town, please send us an email. We are delighted to include details of two lovely tea-shops both giving great new (and delicious) uses to lovely historical buildings. Then we’ve looked at the ancient art of clock building and repairing, meeting two highly skilled local men in their incredible (clock filled) workshops. I hope you experience a lovely autumn. The next edition will be published for the start of December.
Parisot’s Literary Festival
www.quercylocal.com Email: thequercylocal@gmail.com
Anna
22
p.8
Financial Planning
p.11
The Great Aligot Argument
p.12
Scottish Dancing
p.14
Le Nombre d’Or
p.16
Wines of S W France
p.22
Made with Love
p.24
Almond and Saffron Cake
p.32
Update from the Church - Cahors
p.35
Croix-Rouge
p.36
2 Great Tea-Shops
p.40
Cabrerets p.46 Pech Merle
p.50
Harvest Fayre
p.52
Become a Grape Picker!
p.54
Cancer Support France
p.56
Marvellous Mint
p.58
1000 Mains à La Pâte
p.60
Clocks – The Hands of Time
p.62
L’Opale: Pierre Malefique?
p.65
51
62
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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 5
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6 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
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8 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Parisot’s Literary Festival
‘Festilitt’
takes place again in October this year Parisot (82160) hosts its 6th Literary Festival this year and it goes from strength to strength. It is organised entirely by volunteers, they’ve a French-English team of 7 people who plan the festival throughout the year and then they are joined by an army of volunteers who sell books, make cakes, host authors, do airport runs etc over the weekend. They could not pull it off without their help and are extremely grateful to them!
W
hen it all started, 6 years ago, they had two simple aims. Firstly, to bring literature to life in this very rural community. An important part of their initial ethos was that all the events would be free of charge. They, therefore, do a lot of fund-raising so they do not have to charge for entry. Discussions with other festival organisers suggest that this accounts for Festilitt’s relaxed atmosphere. Put simply, they’re not having to worry about selling tickets. Of course, this also helps assure high-levels of engagement and appreciation from their audience (no one feels like they are a consumer; everyone is grateful that such an event is being arranged in the middle of the French countryside). Their second aim was to bring together the francophone and anglophone communities, they’ve discovered that uniting them over a love of books is wonderfully successful. Most sessions are in either English or French, because there are only a handful of people who can follow sessions in both languages, but they do always organise a talk that brings the two communities together as well as lunches and dinners over the weekend where everyone mixes. Adam Thorpe and Andrew Lownie, the literary agent, are their literary patrons and Festilitt has attracted some fantastic authors to speak in the past, including Helen Dunmore (who became the first literary patron and to whom they dedicated the festival last year following her untimely death). Then there’s Kate Mosse and Tracy Chevalier, as well as a younger generation of up and coming writers including Claire Fuller, Sara Taylor, Luke Kennard and Carys Bray. The aim is to try to balance fiction and non-fiction, which tend to attract different audiences. Typically, their events have between 60 – 100 people.
The organisers pride themselves on looking after their visiting authors well and they, in turn, say how Festilitt feels completely different from the large UK festivals. In fact, below is the introduction that Adam Thorpe has just written for this year’s programme which is a resounding endorsement for Festilitt: “I have read at quite a few festivals in my thirty-year career as a writer, many for ‘free’ as part of a publicity tour. Not all of them have been happy experiences: shunted on and off a performance assembly line, or, in one memorable instance, being given my dinner expenses from petty cash – coin by reluctant coin – in front of the punters. Festilitt, however, counts as one of my top five in sheer enjoyment and stimulation. This was why I was so happy to accept the invitation to be one of its patrons.” Liz Stanley one of the team of organisers tell us. “The formula is simple: people are brought together in this beautiful corner of south-west France over three days, talking in simple village halls about books and life, with literary enthusiasm as the binding agent: what could be better? The invited writers are some of the English-speaking world’s leading voices; given many authors’ reluctance to travel, that they should agree to come to a small, local festival in la France profonde is testament itself to Festilitt’s beguiling charm.” As well as the author-talks there’s an opening evening over an apero dinatoire, a huge second-hand book-sale during the whole weekend which raises much needed funds. All donations of good condition books are gratefully received. There’s a festival dinner on the Saturday night at which each author hosts a table, always a very convivial evening. This always sells out very quickly, so priority booking is given to ‘friends of the festival’ – you can become a friend for a donation from 15 euros.
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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 9
At the time of writing the line-up is as follows. Please keep an eye on the website for any further additions...
Graeme Burnet, a Booker-shortlisted author talking about his 2 French-set literary crime novels, The Disappearance of Adele Bedeau and The Accident on the A35.
Mary Bracht, our debut novelist (we include one every year to balance established names with new, emerging talent) talking about White Chrysanthemum, a novel about Korean women kidnapped by Japanese soldiers and forced to be ‘comfort women’.
During the weekend there will also be an exhibition of original works of art by local French and English artists. With artwork inspired by the titles of the books being presented at the festival. These are for sale as well as greetings cards produced from the same images. This year’s festival is Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October. All events take place in the centre of the village. Email: info@festilitt.com
Bi-‐lingual architectural practice Planning, design, project management Full architectural services Sean Rawnsley RIBA, AA dipl. www.architectesud.fr -‐ info@architectesud.fr Tél : 05 82 81 10 21 -‐ 82330 Verfeil-‐sur-‐Seye Membre de l’Ordre des Architectes
Richard Vinen, professor of French history at Kings College London, talking about his new book The Long 68, marking the 50th anniversary of the protests of May 1968.
Situated in Verfeil sur Seye, between Najac and St Antonin, Brice and Mark invite you to enjoy their informal restaurant offering fresh food, local wines and a terrace overlooking the village Halle. Bar and restaurant open Wednesday evening through to Monday lunch
T. 05 81 04 12 02 M. 06 46 36 68 55 contact@laseyeetvous.fr
Nick Hayes, a graphic novelist who will be talking about his latest book The Drunken Sailor which tells the life story of French poet Arthur Rimbaud using words from his famous poem Le Bateau Ivre.
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Playwright Mike Poulton, who adapted Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies and Robert Harris’s Cicero trilogy for the RSC.
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Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
10 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 11
IS YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING MATCH-FIT FOR TODAY’S WORLD? By Peter Wakelin, Blevins Franks
Everyone has their own set of circumstances, goals and needs when it comes to their finances. With good financial planning, you can map these out and identify steps you can take to protect and make the most of your income, assets and wealth. You will benefit most from reviewing your financial affairs not in isolation, but as a whole. This means looking at your savings, investments, other assets, tax planning, pensions and estate planning together. How are they currently structured? Do they affect each other? What are your options, now and in the near future? What will work best for your family and your unique situation, objectives and risk appetite?
Protecting your wealth It is only natural that you will want to preserve your wealth and see it grow over time. There is invaluable peace of mind in securing financial security for your family, no matter how long you live or what health issues may come your way. You may also want to help the next generations by leaving a lasting legacy. However, today’s economic and political climate presents many challenges to both protecting and growing your capital. Take the prolonged period of ultra-low interest rates: this has made it harder to achieve decent returns on bank deposits and lower risk investments. Meanwhile, creeping inflation has further eroded the value of capital and income. This has also been a time of heightened global tax scrutiny, with frequent changes to tax and pensions legislation. And, of course, Brexit is likely to continue generating economic uncertainty and fluctuations in the value of the pound and euro. At times like this, careful planning plays a particularly important role in securing your financial security over the long term. You need to weigh up which issues affect you most and establish what you can do to protect against them.
Personalised, expert advice While some choose a DIY approach to financial planning, most people who have built up or inherited wealth will benefit from an independent and expert review of their finances. After all, it is difficult to take a step back and look at your broad financial situation from a truly objective point of view, or fully understand the complex tax implications and keep up with the changing rules. For the best results, take professional advice from an experienced, locally-based financial adviser. Since
wealth management is such a personal issue, they should take time and use the necessary tools to thoroughly understand your unique situation, needs and objectives, including how you want to shape your legacy.
Investment planning Investment is probably the area where people are most concerned about losing money. While all investments – even bank accounts – carry risk, a suitably diversified portfolio can help manage risk within your comfort level. It is essential to establish a clear and objective view of your risk tolerance to determine the investment approach that will best suit you. Your adviser is best placed to do this objectively through psychometric testing, for example, combined with their knowledge of your family’s situation in France and your financial goals.
Understanding local taxation If you live here, all elements of your financial planning – from investments to estate planning – need to be set up for France, not for the UK. Ideally, your adviser should be based in the France and have first-hand experience of the issues facing expatriates here, financial and otherwise. Crucially, they should also have in-depth understanding of crossborder tax planning, including the Portuguese tax regime and how it interacts with UK rules. A local adviser can also react quickly and help you make adjustments if your personal circumstances change, or if there are Brexit developments or tax reforms that may affect you – including new opportunities. If you relocate again or decide to return to the UK at any point, they can help you navigate the tax regimes and residency rules of both countries. Remember: if you are living in France, your finances should be set up for your life here, not for your old life in the UK. The sooner you review your financial planning and set up a strategic, long-term vision to protect your wealth, the sooner you can relax into a prosperous future in France. All advice received from Blevins Franks is personalised and provided in writing. This article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice.
Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
12 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
The Great Aligot Argument
T
here are a few foreigners living here in France who are not cheese eaters, and may God forgive them. For the rest of us, cheese tends to be one of the things about which we are most passionate. One of the cheeses any vaguely inquisitive connoisseur is bound to have come across is called tomme. It is a cheese that is wide spread throughout much of France and is often a little misunderstood by we etrangers. Part of the reason for that is that tomme is just an umbrella term for cheese that is made on the actual farm from which the milk originates. It almost always comes in the form of a round wheel and can be made from goat, sheep or cow’s milk. This milk is usually the skimmed left-overs that remains after the cream has been removed for richer cheeses or butter production. Obviously, such broad production criteria bring with a wide variety of tastes and textures. Even the spelling is not universal and tomme is often spelled tome. One thing that most tommes have in common is that they are coated with a thick crust. To help reduce the confusion slightly, different tommes are often designated by region so you would get tomme d’ Auvergne or tomme d’ Aveyron amongst many others. This at least lets you get a vague idea of what the cheese you are choosing is going to taste like, though that taste, and texture can vary greatly as the cheese matures and depending on the production technique of the individual farmer. I always recommend asking to taste a tomme before making your purchase. Tomme is a vital ingredient of one of France’s most popular regional dishes; Aligot. Aligot is made by combining cheese, potato, garlic and cream and then mixing them over a gentle heat until they achieve a stringy elastic texture that tastes a great deal better than I am making it sound. In what is quite a physical operation, the mixture is stirred continually in one direction until the desired consistency is achieved. Too little stirring and you have a gooey mess, too much and the elasticity is broken. The name itself is an amalgam of the words ails for garlic and ligoter which means to bind. Three regions of France, Cantal, Aubrac and Aveyron, all lay claim to be the originators of this dish. It is a dispute that has gone on for five hundred years and is probably one of those uniquely French debates that we more recent arrivals are well advised to steer clear of. The dish is thought to predate the arrival of the potato which only came to France in the 16th century. Before that it is likely that Aligot was
made by combining tomme cheese with bread. As late as the 17th century the potato was still being shunned in this country because people believed that it was toxic. Once adopted, the combination of cheese and potatoes would have been an ideal meal for weary farm workers and those pilgrims needing to replenish calories whilst walking the Saint Jaques de Compostel. Ignoring the disagreement as to the dish’s origins, Aligot is now widely available throughout France and is a very popular all over the country. A common dish at fêtes and weddings, it is also frequently found at small local markets where its producers can often be seen stirring the stringy mix with a traditional long handled wooden paddle. It is normally served with local sausage or beef and accompanied by red wine. by Mike Alexander
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Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
14 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
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Scottish Dancing in South West France
I am part of a group of English, Dutch and French from the Tarn et Garonne, Lot et Garonne and Lot who regularly come together to take part in a session of Scottish Country dancing. This informal group started about 16 years ago at Montaigu de Quercy, getting together to dance on a Monday evening. As this group grew in size another group started to dance on a Thursday afternoon at a residence near Touzac. During the last five years or so as numbers in both groups fell, with members moving away or for other personal reasons, we joined together and now dance on a Thursday afternoon from 4 and 6pm between September to June. We have always celebrated Burns night in a traditional manner when we are joined by family mem-bers. Additionally, we also organise Summer and Christmas parties. In the past we have given demonstrations at local events, danced at other people’s houses and a few of us have attended the annual Grand Scottish Dance Ball held in Montpelier. Now that we have amalgamated to just one group we meet to dance in a gorgeous private house with a ballroom near to Touzac. The wonderful couple Ann and James - who were instrumental in starting the group and then supporting and guiding us have themselves moved back to the UK, but the remaining members of the group have decided to carry on dancing. This will be a new chal-lenge, but we feel we are up to the task as we all love it so much. We dance a range of dances but nothing too complicated, although it is always interesting and fun to try something new. Being a friendly, happy group we are always ready to welcome anyone who might
be interested and who has a little dancing experience. We will be starting the new season after the summer break about the 3rd week in September and if anyone is interested in joining us please contact me. Judith Wood on judithwood74@icloud.com for further information.
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16 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Le Nombre d’Or Golden Ratio discovered in South-west France
The small, rural village of St Laurent Lolmie hosted an annual prestigious art fair from 2001 until 2012. By invitation only it attracted the best artists from Southwest France. This salon d’art was succeeded in 2012 by Le Nombre d’Or, an association set up to continue the role of art in the community by organizing art-based events and promote culture in general. Based at the Château du Cayrou in PuyL’Évêque for a number of years the Nombre d’Or expanded its horizons and quickly became a highlight of the cultural calendar. An annual exhibition invited eminent foreign and regional artists to show their paintings, sculptures, paper art and photos. Other related events have included concerts either in the church of Montcuq or with a picnic in the courtyard of the Château du Cayrou, always well attended. Throughout the year le Nombre d’Or holds several conferences at the Médiathèque in Montcuq, when a professional speaker presents an audio-visual introduction to celebrated artists and art genres, spanning several centuries. The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 17
Also, every summer, we organize special workshops to introduce art to children in St. Laurent Lolmie. Previous workshops have covered mosaic, paint, collage and paper making, modelling etc. And for many children this is the only time that they can experience such different disciplines. This year there are four lectures in Montcuq, with two still to come: 5th October – the differences between Flemish and Italian Primitive Art; and 30th November – David Hockney. Another important date for your diary is 6th October, especially for jazz fans. Held in la Salle des Fêtes in Montcuq, the evening starts with Sextet en l’Air – mainly French songs with a latin feel, followed by the superb West Coast Jazz Quartet – playing the ‘cool’ jazz born in California in the 50s and 60s with new arrangements of tunes by Paul Desmond, Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery. There will be food and drink and it’s only 10 euros to get into the groove! http://www.le-nombre-dor.com/ Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
18 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
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Carpentry, Wooden Frames, Roofs (new and renovation), Zinc, Wooden Floors and Cladding, Shelters and Awnings We can offer expert advice and prepare your projects in our specialist workshops 10 year guarantee Established
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We undertake projects within a 50km radius of Montaigu de Quercy (82150) (46, 47, 82)
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
SARL TOUBELMONT Your local professional contact with Environmental Warranties (Qualisol, Qualipac, Qualibois, Qualibat) A WELL-KNOWN LOCAL FIRM WITH A GREAT REPUTATION
SWIMMING POOLS Since 2004 TOUBELMONT has specialised in the quality design, construction and landscaping of swimming pools, spa and saunas. Supplying and fitting pool-liners, water-treatment equipment, automatic pool covers and heating solutions. We are happy to guide you to help you achieve your project, provide maintenance and an after-sales service. We offer you a professional, quality service with a ten-year guarantee. For more information or to make an appointment please contact us.
LANDSCAPING The creation and maintenance of landscaped areas. Including grass-cutting, turf laying (either real or synthetic).
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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 21
L’apéritif des soleils ! Apéritif aux saveurs rares du Chasselas de Moissac, Rhum HSE de la Martinique, Vanille de Tahiti et piment d’Espelette Aperitif made with the special flavours of the Chasselas (grape) from Moissac, HSE Rum from Martinique, Vanilla from Tahiti and pepper from Espelette QUERCY DES ILES - Le Bousquet - 82150 MONTAIGU DE QUERCY - 05 63 04 31 25 contact@quercydesiles.fr Quercy des îles
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06 71 71 77 22 Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
22 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Wines of SW France
Chai St Etienne - Côteaux du Quercy The vineyard lies 20 minutes from Cahors and since 1778 the vineyard has been run by generations of the Gisbert and Quèbre families. Their wine-making has focused on producing wines to be shared amongst good company (and preferably over long lunches). It was this vineyard that was Thomas’ motivation for starting ‘Mosaique Wines’.
T
he vineyard is nestled between fields of sunflowers and fruit trees. The fields of vines wrap around the church of Saint Etienne – with its bell-tower keeping watch over the grapes. Making the best wine possible, using sustainable methods, is paramount for Thomas’s family, sticking to tried and tested processes, from previous generations, to create balanced and elegant Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Côt blends, as well as delicious Cabernet Franc and Gamay Rosé. The vineyard’s land has clearly a history of producing wine. A history evidenced by the many relics of Roman wine-making uncovered whilst working the land; including remnants of amphora and mosaics. The Coteaux du Quercy AOC is one of France’s smallest wine region with only 400 hectares and less than 20 producers. After the Phylloxera disaster 50 000 acres of Quercy vines were almost destroyed. Then the Cahors winegrowers who were then the best
known applied for their appellation (AOC Cahors) first. Other growers further south and north of Cahors were excluded from this labelling. So, the Gisbert and Quèbre families with their determined friends started their own appellation (Côteaux du Quercy, VDQS which then became AOC in 1999). With high-draining slopes of white clay and limestone soils, Cabernet Franc was chosen to blend with
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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 23
the Merlot and, of course, the Côt (Malbec) vines were replanted in the stony soils. This vineyard, covering 27 hectares, embraces biodiversity as the family believe this approach positively affects both the vines themselves but also the environment. The vines themselves are, on average, 35 to 45 years old and grow at an altitude of 250 to 300 meter with a density of 4000 vines per hectares. Work in the vineyard is simple; listening and watching the land carefully. Pruning is carried out according to the moon’s phase, grass is grown every second row to reduce the vines’ vigour and lower the yield. The subsoil is aerated to allow microorganisms to develop freely. Chai St Etienne produces both Red and Rosé wines. The ‘rosé sec’ wine is dry, with notes of fruit including raspberry and strawberry. The traditional ‘rouge’ hints at red fruits as well as the darker, forest-berries and liquorice. The ‘red barrique’ is a mix of complex blackcurrant and prunes aromas with lots of character and a suggestion of oak. Chai St Etienne, Le Cuquel, 46170, Saint-Paul-de-Loubressac 05.65.21.81.84; chaistetienne@gmail.com
Thomas Gisbert runs Mosaique Wines in Melbourne, Australia. Thomas’ family produce wine in the Lot and he has taken the very best of the ‘artisanal’ wines of S W France to Australia with him. A bold move – as Australia has a wine heritage of its own! Thomas studied in Bordeaux and then worked exporting regional French wines all round the world. A subsequent year was spent working as a sommelier in Australia. This gave him a fantastic opportunity to learn the business from the other end (as end user rather than exporter) and this experience importantly formed the idea behind his business – Mosaique Wines. Thomas now works with sommeliers, restaurants and the public directly to ensure the very best of the wines of S W France are available to Australia’s discerning connoisseurs. Wine drinking is different in the Australia. So often, what we drink is affected by the local climate and importantly the local diet. Here it is invariably warmer than Europe and the diet generally has more of an Asian twist. Neither of these factors, nor the high import taxes imposed on imported wines, have diverted Thomas from his passion. He visits France to meet producers (and see his family of course) securing wines for his Australian clients and then he’s back across the world to promote these wines. A long way from home – but what a fantastic way to keep your roots firmly planted in a region that remains close to his and his family’s heart. www.mosaiquewines.com.au
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
24 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Made withY
We will soon be in the season of ‘gift buying’ and we hope that these 4 examples of ‘individual care’ ‘environmental awareness’ and quite simply, wonderful gift ideas might tempt you to buy with love – buy home-made and hand-made! Buying from small businesses and producers changes lives. It supports individuals and families and takes us all a step further from being told by big business – just what it is that we need in our lives!
Sophie Edme Sophie’s Barn, Les Graves, 24250 Cénac et St Julien sophie@sophiesbarn.com www.sophiesbarn.com sophiesbarn @SophiesBarn I started making soap out of the desperation of trying to find a solution for my young son’s eczema. I needed to find an alternative to the steroid creams he was prescribed and stumbled into the world of natural skin care. I started making soap and successfully rid my family of eczema. Sophie’s Barn was created as everyone kept asking me for more ‘magic soap’. That was over ten years ago now! I’ve since relocated my family to the beautiful Dordogne region, and my Barn became a proper workshop (although the name stuck!). I spend my days creating luxurious gentle skin care and enjoying life ici avec mes enfants. Sophie’s Barn is about natural, hand-made goodness. I’m very proud to use local ingredients whenever possible, such as the walnuts and walnut oil in my walnut soap, or the gloriously rich local honey in my honey soap. There are no artificial colours or fragrances in any of my products. Any scent comes exclusively from the use of essential oils. Every ingredient has its place, a specific use, a reason to be there. Anything else simply doesn’t make the cut! I love the creative side of what I do. I make lovely personalised soap as wedding favours and bespoke gifts. This is great fun. I get to play around with packaging and be part of a special occasion somewhere out-there in the world! I also love to share information on how to have healthier skin. Nothing feels better than receiving a message about someone’s skin finally getting better after using real soap. It’s very rewarding. The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 25
Jane Hunt Bougies D’Aquitaine, 24320 Bouteilles St Sebastien Bougiesaquitaine@gmail.com www.bougiesaquitaine.etsy.com Bougies Aquitaine bougiesaquitaine Based in the Dordogne I produce luxury candles with beautiful fragrances that are inspired by France. They are made from soy wax, giving a cleaner and longer burn (25-30 hours for a 150g candle) than paraffin. The fragrance oils used are vegan-friendly and high quality to ensure that they last! All my candles are hand-poured into opaque white jars, chosen because once lit, they give a beautiful flicker and glow. Each jar is then gift-boxed, perfect if you are buying for someone else, especially as they can be delivered worldwide. I wanted to produce a high-quality candle at lower than the typical high-end pricing. In can be hard to find well-made candles at prices that are not obscene. It works! Since the launch of Bougies D’Aquitaine in April 2018. I’ve found that once people try the candles, they love them, and are coming back for more. The autumn/winter range will include scents to invoke coziness, comfort, and seasonal nostalgia. Expect cinnamon, apples, cedar, berries and orange
to be amongst the mix! Firm summer favourites, such as Honeysuckle & Jasmine (the bestseller), Lavender and Sandalwood & Mandarin will be available all year round. I will be at many of the regional Christmas markets. I also attend ‘Gifts and Goodies’, a weekly pop-up gift shop in the Café du Palais, 24600 Ribérac, Tuesdays from 10am -1pm.
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
26 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Carol-Ann Smith van Blerk Oooohbeads at Combe Prionde, Ste. Alauzie, 46170 carolvanblerk@aol.com www.oooohbeads.com Ooooh Beads oooohbeads
I create beautiful beads from glass from my lovely workshop in the middle of the woods. This involves the heating up of differently coloured glass rods and melting them carefully over prepared mandrels. Then the clever bit, the adding on of other colours, all of which must be done so very carefully! Each bead is a work of art and some even have small pieces of silver adornments added. Some beads are single statement pieces and go on to be worn on either silver chains or chokers, cords, dyed-silk ribbon or leather straps. Other beads form parts of small groups which are worn together, threaded just like the single beads but with a completely different effect. I also design and produce lovely glass spindles for the spinners out there. A perfect and original gift. I would never achieve these results if I did not simply-love, firstly, melting glass and secondly, critically have a love of colours. I sell my beads, sometimes to other artists who include them in their work (adorning handbags/ hats or as part of other pieces of jewellery). Most of my work is sold directly to people simply wanting a bead or a complete piece of jewellery. I also supply the accessories for turning the beads into jewellery (silver, cord etc.). From time to time I hold some studio days – when you can find out much more and have go yourself. The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 27
Kate Baldwin Love Leo at 7 Route De Marmande, Margueron, 33220 loveleoclothing@hotmail.com www.loveleoclothing.com loveleoclothing love.leo.clothing
I founded Love Leo in 2014. As a work-at-home mum of 4 I wanted to help promote eco-conscious fashion with a bold, individual twist. I focus on creating beautifully-soft, jersey clothing for children aged from teeny-tiny premature babies, right the way up to 12 years. I source environmentally-friendly fabrics, with dyes that are kind to delicate skin and that’ll survive the frequent washing that children’s clothes need! I wanted my kids to stand out from the sea of pink and blue. So, I use fabrics that cater for all ages and genders and that stand the test of time and the fussiest of children! All my clothing is made at home with OEKO-TEX standard fabrics. Working as a home allows me to focus on my own family whilst indulging my creative talents. It also means I’ve a full house of willing and able models! All items are hand-made with care and attention, ensuring your child is wrapped in love, day in and day
out! Every garment I make is based on my own pattern collection which I’ve tested extensively with my own children and my team of testers. So, your order is ready for play, tree climbing and plenty of mud! Many designs will also grow with your child, helping you get fantastic value for money with a product you can use time and again, before handing on to the next child. I use limited-edition fabrics. So, if you see a piece that you love let me know quickly. I also do some custom work on request.
Win this charming Daisy & Heart necklace from Oooohbeads! If you know somebody (or perhaps you) who’d love this very pretty glass heart – please email us by the 30/11/18 with your name and address and we’ll enter you into the draw. Winner picked at random on the 1st of October. Email: localsfrance@gmail.com
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
28 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
• Made to measure doors and windows in wood, aluminium and PVC • Bespoke staircases and joinery projects • Traditional and electric rolling shutters
• Installation of kitchens and bathrooms • Balconies, patios and other tiling projects • Electric gates and garage doors
For a FREE quote call
06.33.11.42.38 or email poles-apart@orange.fr
All products supplied carry a 10 year warranty for labour and functionality EURL POLES APART, Roc de la Jambonne, 82150 MONTAIGU DE QUERCY poles-apart@orange.fr Tel : 05.63.29.07.32 / 06.33.11.42.38
Siret : 483 819 496 00025
The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 29
LANDSCAPE DESIGN Meet with the client Planning advice Prepare the plan for the garden
SERVICES WE OFFER
Expert help and advice for the creation and the maintenance of your garden
www.concepteur-paysagiste.fr We work throughout departments 46, 47 and 82.
Pruning - Felling - Grinding - Clearance Terracing, Retaining-walls and Driveways Paths – Drystone-walls - Borders Ground Preparation (biodiversity) - Planting Soil - Mulching and Organic Fertilizing Property Maintenance
T. 06 81 99 58 38
roland.burgniard@laposte.net
AUBERGE DU BRELAN In a lovely rural setting you can enjoy our fine cuisine with fresh ingredients cooked over a wood fire. We offer a lovely terrace setting for your relaxing family or celebration meal. Also available, vegetarian and gluten free foods. Open from Easter to November. Catering for groups, wedding parties including a buffet option, available all year. Pâtisserie et conserves to take away. You can find us easily on the D656. We look forward to welcoming you.
Laboissière, Anthé 47370 TOURNON D’AGENAIS GPS : N 44°22’10’’ / E 00°58’50’’ 05 53 40 78 08 auberge.brelan@gmail.com www.aubergedubrelan.com
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
30 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
NOW IN OUR 20TH YEAR OF BUSINESS!
Quercy Counselling English-speaking counselling and psychological services on all manner of issues. Based in Belveze, we offer services face-to-face, via telephone and Skype. For more information please see the website: www.quercycounselling.com Or contact Elizabeth Cross on +33(0)788279014 or quercycounselling@gmail.com
Administration & Business Management No contract – just the help you want, when you need it Administration – Invoicing – Event Organisation Help with your French and English Customers Please call me or take a look at my website.
Valérie ROUSSEAU O6 70 64 54 97
vgr.secretariat@gmail.com vgr-secretariat.com
Emergency numbers Medical Help/SAMU 15
FRANCK TONEL MAÎTRE ARTISAN PÂTISSIER – 30 years
Text Service for Hard of Hearing 114 Police/Police Nationale (Gendarmerie) 17 Fire & Accident/Sapeurs Pompiers
18
SOS – All Services (calling from a mobile) 112 Child in Danger (child protection) 119 Missing Child
116 000
Artisan recipes dating from 1908
LE GÂTEAU AUX NOIX
FRENCH WALNUT TART
49 RUE ERNEST MARCOULY, PUY L’EVÊQUE, LOT 05 65 21 32 56
PATISSERIE FRANCK TONEL WWW.PATISSERIE-TONEL.FR
The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 31
La Cuisine de Karla
Is here for all your catering needs – up to 75 people • Breakfast, lunch and/or dinner during your holiday • Family reunions • Parties ….weddings or birthdays…. • Delivery services and arrival packs during your holiday
Please contact me for information, prices, quotes & menus
Karla Wagenar 0033 (0)563045517 or 0033 (0)628147136
albertenkarla@gmail.com
la cuisine de karla
lacuisinedekarla
Sand & Blast
Local and convenient – a true village shop
PROFESSIONAL SANDBLASTING SERVICE
Before
L’Epicerie du Roc Place de le Croix – 82150 Roquecor General supplies, Bread, Newsagents, Postal Point. We also stock a supply of British products and a great selection of wines from local producers.
After
“A fantastic service from beginning to end! I cannot praise or recommend them enough, a great professional service delivered by friendly, helpful people. You can safely book this company with confidence!”
Operating since 2005 and now in all areas of France
STONE | WOOD | METAL
05 63 95 25 78 / 06 82 84 56 30
Phone: 05 55 76 31 59; Mobile: 06 37 52 84 77 Bobby@Sand-and-Blast.com
Delphine and Jean Longueteau
www.sand-and-blast.com
QUERCY OAK Construction & Renovations
A friendly, reliable service with many years experience in all aspects of the building industry. All projects undertaken, completed to the highest standard. General building, All aspects of carpentry, New build, Complete renovations & conversions, Timber frame houses, Refurbishments, Green oak framing, Roofing & insulation, Hardwood flooring & tiling, Bespoke joinery including staircases. And much more...
Please call us today for an estimate or quotation 07 80 58 39 60 mob 06 75 51 89 13 mob laquercyoak@gmail.com http://greyrobert4.wixsite.com/quercy-oak instagram: quercyoak Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
32 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Almond & Saffron Cake
The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
Almond & Saffron Cake
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 33
Ingredients: For the cake: • 2 eggs • 200g caster sugar •2 lemons (zest only) • 2 oranges (zest only) • Pinch of saffron • pinch of salt • 150ml olive oil • 150ml milk • 2 tsp turmeric • 15g baking powder • 500g ground almonds For the glaze:
Saffron de Quercy The name Saffron comes from the Arabic word ‘zafaran’ which means yellow and it’s the colour produced from dying with it that is the official colour of Buddhist robes in India. It’s thought that the saffron crocus originally came from Mesopotamia or perhaps Kashmir. Wherever it started out this golden spice has played a part in the mythical, culinary and medicinal life of almost every civilization since the dawn of time. Centuries ago the production of this valuable spice was prolific in this region of France. However, after the 18th century its production declined. Then in 1997 a number of people got together in the Quercy area to develop and promote Safron de Quercy once more. Producing this spice is a skilled and labour-intensive job. It takes 200 flowers to produce just 1 gram of saffron. The crocus heads are held in the palm of the hand, the stem cut with the fingernails, this action is repeated over and over again. Then the vivid red stigmas are delicately removed and gently dried to produce the valuable ‘red-gold’. Drying out the stigmas produces an intense aroma and during this process the saffron loses 4/5 of its original weight. It is not so difficult to see why this has always been a treasured and very valuable crop. Indeed it is the most expensive spice in the world. Over the years it has been the cause of many an unusual and painful death imposed on merchants who’d added to it, faked it or otherwise messed with the supplies of pure saffron. Remember it may be expensive but you only ever need a very small amount!
• 100g sugar • 1 orange (zest only) • juice of the oranges and lemons (use 100ml) • 1 lemon (zest only) • 1 star anise • 1 stick of cinnamon • Flowers to decorate You will need: • 1 x 20cm spring form cake tin, lined Method 1. P reheat the oven to 140°C. Grease a round 20cm spring form cake tin and line the bottom with baking paper. 2. I n a mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until pale, about 3 minutes. Add the lemon zest and the orange zest along with the pinch of saffron and beat again. 3. A dd in the olive oil, milk and turmeric and continue to mix until smooth. 4. F inally add in the almonds and baking powder and carefully mix until you have a smooth cake batter. 5. P our into your prepared mould and cook for 1 ½ hours until cooked through
For the glaze 1. P ut the orange and lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved. 2. R emove from the heat and add in the orange and lemon zest along with the star anise and cinnamon stick and leave to infuse for the time it takes to cool down. 3. When cool, strain and pour on top of the cake Decorate with flowers
Le Caillau: Nestled in the heart of the Cahors vineyards you’ll find Le Caillau, a family run Restaurant, Café and Pottery Painting Atelier. In 2011, Caroline and Chas Sharp opened the doors of Le Caillau, a renovated 300-year-old winery. Our aim is simple - to produce great quality, simple and tasty food. In our restaurant kitchen our small team creates dishes based on vegetables from our own kitchen garden and local seasonal produce, (with some more exotic ingredients thrown in for variety and a different flavour from traditional Quercy cuisine). From September the Pottery Painting Café will be open by appointment only so if you’d like to get creative just give us a call. Restaurant opening hours from September 2018: Monday: lunch, Tuesday: closed, Wednesday: lunch & dinner, Thursday: lunch & dinner Friday: lunch & dinner, Saturday: lunch & dinner, Sunday: lunch In the restaurant, lunch is served between 12pm – 2.30pm and dinner from 7pm Le Caillau, 46700 Vire sur Lot. Telephone: 05 65 23 78 04 www.lecaillau.com facebook.com/lecaillau twitter.com/lecaillau Instagram.com/lecaillau Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
34 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
E - IC RD V A SER AW NG I N IN W DROP IN AND SEE US IN TOURNON D’AGENAIS OR MONTAIGU DE QUERCY
The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 35
Granite Cobblestones NO MORE WEEDING!
pavegranit24@gmail.com 06 37 15 82 33 Siret No. 813 039 575
Anglican Chaplaincy of Midi-Pyrénées & Aude Update from the Cahors Congregation
All services are held at Centre Paroissial, 75 av J Lurçat, Terre Rouge, 46000 Cahors We hope that you all enjoyed summer and as we begin to enter the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, we would like to renew our invitation to join us at Terre Rouge on any Sunday at 10am. Each time there are five Sundays in a month - four times a year - there is an afternoon service at 3pm. On both 30th September and 29th October, we will enjoy a Songs of Praise Service at 10am followed by a 3pm service. Some of our members travel quite a distance to come to worship and enjoy fellowship and the 3pm service can make this easier.
Please see our services for this quarter below. We look forward to meeting you soon.
September:
2nd Morning Prayer Book of Common Prayer (BCP) 9th Holy Communion celebrated by our Chaplain Dan Langdon-Griffiths 16th Morning Prayer Common Worship 23rd Holy Communion celebrated by Revd Mary Barnes The highlight of this quarter is our celebration of Harvest on Sunday 30th Holy Communion with Songs of Praise celebrated 1st October at 10am and this will be followed by a shared lunch. by our Chaplain and Asst. Chaplain Revd June Hutchinson, All are welcome. Thanksgiving ceremonies and celebrations for 3pm Evening Prayer food grown on the land are both worldwide and very ancient. In Britain, we have given thanks for successful harvests since pagan October: times. We celebrate this day by singing, praying and decorating 1st Harvest Festival followed by the Harvest Lunch our churches with baskets of fruit and food. At Terre Rouge, 8th Holy Communion offerings of produce are given to the local charity Restos du Coeur. 15th Morning Prayer - Common Worship Harvest Festival reminds us as Christians of all the good things 22nd Holy Communion God has given us. This makes us want to share with others who 29th Songs of Praise and 3pm BCP Holy Communion are not so fortunate. Harvest festivals are traditionally held on A detailed programme of services and events are on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon which usually occurs www.churchinmidipa.org or see facebook - churchinmidipa at the end of September. Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
36 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
LAS RAZES Your perfect large gîte
“Only those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world do it” Henri Dunant* Well, Isabelle Modol must be one of those crazy people! Isabelle joined the Red Cross 7 years ago. She was drawn to this wonderful, 103-year-old association by the principles and values it upholds. She’s been involved as a volunteer, Vice-President and then finally for the last 2½ years as President of the Verdun sur Garonne branch. Isabelle wants everyone involved in the charity’s work (volunteers and employees) to embrace the notion of sharing and caring towards families in need. The branch arranges regular and one-off activities to respond to, amongst other things, a growing rural social divide, including: • Food aid: twice a month, 100 parcels are distributed to families in need.
Heated salt water pool, up to 10 (en-suite) bedrooms, snooker, table-tennis, wifi, large garden & terraces Ideal for family get togethers & special events. Also ideal location for people running courses (art, yoga, walking, biking etc.) Convenient for – Lauzerte, Montaigu de Quercy & Montcuq Also, lovely furnished cottage for long and short rentals sleeps 4/6. Available all year from spring 2019. Can be rented with the main house or on its own.
• The shop: welcomes many buyers and encourages a spirit of sharing. • Literacy: once a week, we welcome about 15 people to help them with the French language. • Introduction to first aid: training session for school children. • Community garden: a permaculture garden run by a volunteer which offers the possibility for families receiving food aid to come and garden together. Harvested vegetables are distributed in the food parcels. *Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman and social activist, was the founder of the Red Cross, and the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
www.lasrazes.net lasrazes lasrazes Las Razes - France – Holidays Las Razes, Touffailles (82190) Tarn et Garonne
Croix Rouge - Unite Locale, Place des Ecoles, 82600 Verdun Sur Garonne Isabelle.modol@croix-rouge.fr. Tel. 06.80.96.52.89 Shop Opening Hours Mon: 11 - 17hr; Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri: 9 – 12.30/14.30-18hr; Sat: 9 – 12hr Aid distribution: 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month. www.croix-rouge.fr
The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
G M Construction A skilled and loyal workforce of British & French tradesmen
All aspects of building projects both new and renovation, including project management, swimming pools & ground-works If you are looking for a British/French speaking builder operating in 46, 47, 82 & 24 Contact Greg:
06 37 67 49 89 / 06 76 92 28 68 ggmconstructionfr@hotmail.com www.englishbuilderinfrance.com Siret No:- 50741519800013
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 39
Nestled in the Seoune Valley, La Grange de Truffes offers you a chance to explore a large, wonderful selection of collectables, antiques and furniture. You are welcome to visit and browse our eclectic exhibitions of the beautiful, curious and inspiring.
welcomes you to Montjoi
Open Thurs - Sun, 11am - 7pm ~ April - Oct Lieu dit Truffes 82400 MONTJOI lagrangedetruffes@orange.fr; www.au-grenier.fr 06 32 19 84 41 Out of season by RDV See Facebook for news and events GPS Latitude 44.194, Longitude 0.909. From the village of Montjoi, take road to Saint Maurin we are 250m on the LHS.
We are open from Thursday - Sunday 3pm - 7pm September & October Come and discover the artists, painters and sculptors that we’re sure will captivate you! Private viewings are possible – please call
art27galerie - rue du Porche - 82400 MONTJOI edwige capelle - 06.38.93.43.61 www.art27galerie.com art27galerie art27galerie@gmail.com
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
40 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Tea Shops
We are scrumptiously delighted to tell you about two lovely tea-shops – both nestled in historical buildings in very different parts of our region.
CrumbleTea
H
idden-away down a small passage-way, among the lovely, little streets of Montauban you’ll find Crumble Tea – a perfect little ‘tea-room’. ‘Passage du Vieux Palais’ can be found roughly between the Place Nationale and the Cathedral. The tea-room nestles in a classified, 15th century courtyard where the city seems a million miles away. A perfect place to treat yourself to lunch or delicious afternoon tea. Escape from all that shopping, cheer up necessary administrative appointments or indeed whatever might have brought you to Montauban that day. Leave all that behind you and enjoy something simply lovely in the very heart of this beautiful historic town. Pascale Touery, who owns and runs Crumble Tea, used to be an International Project Manager (Energy and Aeronautics) and so she also speaks both English and Spanish. 10 years ago, she decided to make a change and do something she’d really enjoy. Something, that would allow her more time with her children. So, Crumble Tea was begun. Each day, imaginative, delicious, home-made food is prepared. For lunchtime there’s a selection of fresh, savoury temptations. Then, of course, there’s the cakes, tarts, and ‘crêpes’, there are so many to tempt you. If choosing is your problem, then there’s the ‘Meli Melo’ – where you can choose 3 portions of sweetness! Quite simply, for lovers of cakes and desserts, here’s a corner of paradise. Valérie (from this office), showing no hesitation, went to do some sampling. She’s still talking about the lemon and mint cheesecake and dreaming of the passionfruit, pineapple and mango crumble. Of course, amongst the drinks available there’s a wonderful selection of teas and coffees, so aficionados will be satisfied. If, after all this, you start to feel guilty about anyone missing out on this little treat – you can take a few slices of something home with you. Pascale looks forward to welcoming you and we hope you will try and enjoy this lovely oasis. Crumble Tea is a distribution point for this magazine.
CRUMBLE TEA, 25, rue de la République, Passage du Vieux Palais, 82000 MONTAUBAN 05 63 20 39 43, www.crumble-tea.fr. Crumble Tea
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Chez Moi
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 41
I
n the picturesque bastide of Tournon D’Agenais you will find a new addition to this flourishing village. Ideally located on the corner of Rue de la Citadelle, Chez Moi Salon de Thé opens its doors this September. In the summer of 2017 Jenny Grimshaw, owner of Chez Moi Salon de Thé, fell in love at first sight when she first stepped into this house. There was ‘just something about it’ full of character and charm. At the time it was just an empty residential property, but Jenny saw it’s potential. Her ideas turned into dreams and now 12 months later her dreams have turned into a reality. Chez Moi is a popular French phrase used as a friendly invitation to “my home” or “my place” which makes it the perfect name for this adorable little tearoom, as it is both! The ground floor has been transformed into a cosy classy Salon de Thé, while above is a happy home for Jenny. Enjoy the enchanting ambience, assortment of thirst quenching beverages and tempting range of traditional and memorable homemade cakes. At Chez Moi Salon de Thé, a warm welcome and genuine smile awaits you, offering not just a menu, but a delightful experience. Step out of the office, bring your laptop and make use of the free WiFi to catch up on those work emails while enjoying your favourite drink. Treat the kids to a tray bake after school or perhaps arrange to meet up with friends and swap stories over a slice of delicious cake. A light lunch is served Monday to Friday and take away drinks and cake are always available. Jenny looks forward to becoming part of the friendly Tournon community and working alongside the other businesses, helping to enhance the village. It seems Chez Moi has already tickled taste-buds at Beaux Village as Julie, marketing director for the company, says “Life has got a little more difficult around the offices of Beaux Villages Immobilier in Tournon d’Agenais. Nothing to do with Brexit or house prices, but rather which cake should we choose at Chez Moi today? The orange cake is the most orangey I’ve ever tasted, the ginger cake is perfectly sticky and delicious but hands-down winner for me is the rose cake – light, delicately flavoured and just gorgeous with a cup of tea. I love having neighbours like this!” Jenny looks forward to welcoming to her lovely new tea-shop. Chez Moi will be a distribution point for this magazine. 3 Rue de la Citadelle, 47370, Tournon d’Agenais www.chezmoisalondethe.com chezmoisalondethe
Opening 3rd Sept
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
42 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Don’t miss Parisot’s
‘Fashion Friday’ Fripaffaires, the Parisot (82) based charity shop will be staging their third fashion show on Friday 28th September.
Planned to be bigger and better than ever, this hugely popular event will be held in the Salle des Fetes, Parisot. A group of enthusiastic volunteers will model a selection of men’s and women’s clothes from Fripaffaires summer, autumn and winter collection. This year Fripaffaires has invited local businesses to take trade stands which will offer an exciting range of goods and services. Doors open at 7pm and the show will start at 8pm. There will be live music and local restaurant, Le Fourchette & Cie will be offering reasonably priced buffet food and drink. Interest is high, so make sure you get along in good time for what promises to be a super evening. Fripaffaires is based at the Pole Medical, Rue Jean Vallette, Parisot. They are open throughout the year on Tuesday & Wednesday 2-6pm and Friday & Saturday 10am – 12.30pm. The enterprise raises money for Restos du Coeur and Medicines sans Frontieres and, in the first two years since opening, have donated 25,000 euros between these two charities. It is run entirely by volunteers and is greatly appreciative of the tremendous support of their customers and everyone who kindly donates items.
Lightning Strikes in Montaigu de Quercy La Troupe d’Acteurs du Quercy staged ‘Cash on Delivery’ by Michael Cooney. This fast moving well written farce gave the audience plenty to laugh at. From the opening sequence to the denouement, the company all gave memorable performances. The audience certainly appreciated the play! Laughter reached epidemic proportions at times and the final scene brought the house down – almost literally as one character was struck by lightning. Viv Woffinden providing an excellent meal and the audience showed their appreciation of a well-acted funny script. Well done to the whole Troupe! The next Production will be in September and then we will be recruiting for the pantomime, if you are interested in helping please note that there are many roles apart from acting! Ticket desk, scenery, props, costumes and technical departments. Contact: Box office: latroupeboxoffice@gmail.com La Troupe d’Acteurs du Quercy: Fillol 82150 Montaigu de Quercy
Whatever you do – you need to be seen!
Advertising your business over the Périgord and Quercy region can reach 150 000 people in a year and an 1/8 page (like this) can work out as little as 18,50 (+TVA) per month, by direct debit. Drop us a line to thequercylocal@gmail.com to find out more.
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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 43
Loren and Pierre look forward to welcoming you to their lovely restaurant in the heart of Puy L’Évêque, deep in the Lot valley. Where you will find both local and refined dishes all accompanied by a large range of great wines.
Open All Year from Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 3pm and 6pm – 10pm
24 Grand Rue, 46700 Puy L’Évêque Please reserve - 09 86 31 80 88 www.lemedieval-puyleveque.fr Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 45
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
46 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
C
Cabrerets
abrerets (46330) sits at the confluence of the rivers Sagne and Céle, just under the Rochecourbe cliffs. The village is the last stop before Cahors, on the trail for pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostella. The name of the village is derived from the word ‘cabre’ in the Occitan language, meaning ‘little goat’. Given the terrain it’s possible to see why! There may be only 236 inhabitants, but this is a village of many talents as we hope these next few pages will demonstrate. With so much artistic,
historical and geological interest Cabrerets could easily ‘out-do’ many larger and better-known locations. As well as the lovely rivers, daunting cliffs and historical water mill there’s the ruins of Château du Diable and the Château de Cabrerets listed as a historic monument in 1996, some 3 centuries after it was constructed. Perhaps most famously, the village is home to Pech Merle, the caves with spectacularly decorated walls. One of the finest examples of prehistoric caves remaining open to the public.
LeChâteau et La Chèvre Château des Anglais or as it is more popularly known Château du Diable is thought to have been built in about the year 745 amid torrid times of feudalism and brutality. Originally belonging to the Duke of Aquitaine, it was an impenetrable strong-hold at the northern edge of the village. It was 90m long, 30m high and 5m high with walls between 2 – 3m thick. The building was dominated by a rounded tower with singular access via a solid door. It was impossible to climb from below and the shape of the cliffs protected it from above. During the 100 years’ war in the 14th century the Château was fought over by both English and French armies. It is not possible to visit but it is certainly worth stopping, and just wondering for a while about all that must have gone-before.
The Legend Legend tells that many centuries ago the Lord of the Château was celebrating on Christmas Eve with his vassals. When a young village girl called Marietta came to seek mercy for her disabled mother who was no longer able to pay her taxes.
Spotting an opportunity, the Lord sought to force himself upon her. The girl terrified of his advances jumped through a window to drown in the river below. Immediately the Lord’s fortunes took a downward turn, he was over-run and thrown into the river himself. The legend tells how periodically a small, white goat is seen climbing towards the Château from the river, and the villagers believe this to be the spirit of the poor, unfortunate Marietta. Each year a Fête de la Chèvre is held in the village – so the story lives on!
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In the village there are a few places to eat and regular readers of this magazine will know that Valérie (from this office) loves to try out places to eat. So, when she was in the village this summer she stopped for lunch at Hôtel Restaurant des Grottes du Pech Merle. So, this is her location recommendation, its
beautifully positioned by the river, there’s great food and lovely people! There’s a market in the village from April to October on Friday mornings. More information and photo credits www.cabrereets.fr. Additional photos Valérie Rousseau.
What’s to love? My husband Denis and I bought our house in Cabrerets in 2009, we live here all year round and we love it. There is a huge contrast between life in the winter and summer; it feels as if we live in two different places. I believe that there are only just over 200 permanent residents in the commune, so in the winter it is a very quiet and peaceful place to live. In spring signs of activity begin as restaurants and other businesses prepare for the summer season and the influx of visitors. In the summer it is very busy with tourists; hikers, bikers, summer residents, holiday makers, day trippers and visitors to the Grottes de Pech Merle. We are lucky to have an épicerie, boulangerie and La Poste that remain open all year round and in the summer four good restaurants too. We have some good committees here, so there are a lot of activities all year round in Cabrerets, including two fetes where the giant white goat parades around the village, a sight not to miss! We have found the local people very friendly and welcoming and we feel fully accepted into the community and like to get involved where we can.
Cabrerets has stunning scenery and is a perfect spot for outdoor activities, there are numerous footpaths and cycle trails to follow, it is possible to swim or canoe along the river Célé, explore caves, go rock climbing and there is even a zip wire nearby. We live just outside the village in a forest and we see a lot of wildlife, some of it quite rare. There is very little noise or light pollution, so it is very peaceful and at night it is a perfect spot for star gazing. All in all, it’s a pretty special place to live with something for everyone. Gill Williams
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
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48 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Artists of Cabrerets
Laure Gaudebert – sculptor
Denis Perret – painter
Laure mainly sculpts in clay and generally the human form. It’s the coming together of different strands of humanity that inspires her. She’s travelled globally and worked with different earths and different peoples including in Greece, Senegal, Australia, Mali and Egypt. She brings all these different communities together through sculpture. Laure’s studio is in the middle of the village. A village that has been the birth place of her mother’s family. Her grand-father, André David was involved in the discovery of the village’s famous caves, Pech Merle. The gallery is open by appointment. 06.41.87.10.68 www.lauregaudebert-sculptures.com
Denis’ work was first shown publicly in Paris in 1964. He is inspired by crowds, passing groups, cyclists, shadows and even foot prints. For him it’s the interplay of movement and gatherings that seems to be a measure of humans. Then there’s shadow, that most ancient measure of time, itself an origin of painting, geometry and astronomy – all this creates inspiration. Now retired and in Cabrerets since 2002. You can visit Denis Perret’s studio by appointment. 06.41.07.64.52
Maryse Bill – illustrator Maryse illustrates, mainly using watercolours. She has lived and worked in Cabrerets since 2012 where she finds the cliffs a major source of inspiration. Maryse has produced a range of postcards depicting fantasy characters inhabiting the cliffs ‘la saga de mammouth et l’espiègle’. Then this year a book called ‘La Falaise’ which illustrates a magical world based in the Célé valley. Visits by appointment. 06.28.28.92.64 maryse.bill@laposte.net The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
THE QUERCY LOCAL • 49
Anne Turlais – painter & engraver
Hughes Barbier – potter
Anne draws inspiration from nature. She looks for light, transparency, depth and softness. First applying layers of white to canvas she then adds a mineral powder around which she shapes the work with thin layers of oil. As well as her paintings Anne produces engravings and digital art (for which she has a specific website – www.galerie-artwave.fr). Galerie Épicerie Mathurin, Cabrerets 06.61.13.24.52 www.anne-turlais.com Anne Turlais - Peintures - Gravures In a studio (since 1973) that he says he rarely leaves, Hughes’ potters’ wheel is rarely still. His shop backs directly onto the cliffs and the sheer rock is visible from within. This looks like a real treasure trove for lovers of pottery! Atelier de Terre, route de Pech Merle – Cabrerets 05.65.31.25.11
Clément Peyron – wood turner At 21 years old Clément is our youngest resident artist. His work is quite outstanding. He has always been passionate about working with wood and at the end of last year started his business ‘Un P’tit Tour’. He creates wooden furniture and beautiful items from turned-wood. He prefers to work with locally sourced wood. 4 years studying as a cabinet maker and a further year studying wood turning. If you though such crafts were dying out with the older generations – this young man is bucking that trend. 07.86 .18.12.00 www.unptitour.fr un p’tit tour
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
50 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
La Grotte de Peche Merle - Cabrerets
T
housands of years and tons of rock were holding many secrets. Secrets that were revealed by children who disobediently crawled underground! It’s quite profound that, at the very least, 29,000 years ago people drew on walls – effectively communicating with the future. Could they ever have imagined? Bertrand Defois, has been the Development Manager of the Centre Préhistoric de Pech Merle for 20 years and he believes that this resource is unique. People can visit the famous painted caves and the Prehistoric Museum ‘Musée Amédée Lemozi’. This facility is owned and operated by the Mairie in Cabrerets. There have been about 30 painted-caves discovered in the region, some dating back as far as 35,000 years, but only 3 can be visited (including Pech Merle). So, the Museum shows images from the closed caves. Closing caves to the public preserves the wall-paintings as they deteriorate with increased humidity, heat or carbon dioxide. At Pech Merle the size and layout of the cave means that controlled and limited access do not damage this important heritage. A heritage that includes paintings of, among other things, mammoths, buffalo, reindeer, human form (including hands) and wild horses (both spotted and plain). Plus, impressions of children’s footprints (in what would have then been clay), stalactites, stalagmites and cavernous galleries created by underground rivers. How were the caves discovered? In 1912, teenage boys, Henri Redon and his cousin André Touzery armed with string and candles climbed down into a mysterious opening they’d heard about. They found themselves in a huge underground world. Then in 1922, the inquisitive son of a farmer André David (16) convinced his younger sister Marthe (13) and farm labourer Henri Dutertre (15) to go and explore the cave - something they were forbidden to do! They crawled further than the earlier two and eventually broke through rock to discover the now famous prehistoric painted-caves. What followed was 2 years of effort – different trades worked long hours to ensure proper access to this ancestral treasure. If it hadn’t been for the fearless, even disobedient, spirit of these children, this hugely important discovery may have remained a secret. André David’s relationship with the underworld he’d discovered did not end there – he became a cave guide for 25 years and carried on his explorations; discovering a further underground gallery in 1949 which became known as Galerie du Combel.
This story of discovery and conservation wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Abbé Amédée Lemozi, who was born near Cabrerets, and whose life was dedicated to speleology and prehistoric research. He became the priest of Cabrerets in 1919 and spent his time searching caves, dolmens and gathering and recording much prehistoric evidence. He is known to have encouraged local children to follow his passion for the prehistoric. The survival of this ‘snap-shot’ of history, and the interest it brought to the village, bear testament to the passion shared by Amédée Lemozi and André David. However, it should be remembered that the villagers themselves have been instrumental in this preservation. Everyone worked to expose, develop, protect and share this heritage so that, today this incredible resource exists. Because of the controls on visitor numbers it’s necessary to book your visit. So, please see the
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Le Bourg - 46330 Cabrerets Tel: 05 65 31 27 02 contact@hoteldesgrottes.com www.hoteldesgrottes.com
Moulin de Cabrerets
website. The cave is open all year (if weather conditions permit) so particularly after September, please check the website. The guided visits are usually in French although an English booklet can be borrowed. Photo credits and more information: www.pechmerle.com
Bertrand Defois is President of association Les PALEONAUTHES. www.paleonautes.fr. A great resource for anyone interested in the region’s prehistory. ~ There is a delightful book ‘La Fabuleuse Histoire de la Grotte-Temple du Pech Merle’ written by Maryse David (daughter of André David) which brings together so much of the story behind the discovery of the caves. ~ Experiments by archaeologist Michel Lorblanchet have suggested that the cave-paintings were probably achieved using a delicate spitting technique. ~ Look out for a comic story drawn in 2017 by Joël Polomski called ‘Les Chevaux de Pech Merle’ which tells a fictional story about the creation of the Prehistoric art. The comic is also available in English, copies can be found at several places including the cave shop and the Tourist Office in Cahors. www.polomski-bd.fr
At the entrance to Cabrerets, under the Château, there’s been a moulin since the 12th century. The builders designed it with a diagonal floor to capture the strength of the river and force the water towards the wheel – maximising its effectiveness. Equipped with 4 pairs of millstones an unimaginable number of sacks of grain were ground over the centuries. After WW2 the millstones were replaced with electric grinding cylinders. Electricity was then to become rather a mixed blessing for the Moulin. In 1967 it began to generate electricity to sell to EDF using second hand turbines from the Moulin de Labéraudie in Cahors. The Moulin produced electricity and ground flour until 2003 which was the year of the (every 100-year) damaging floods. The flood ended flour production and only power generation continued. Then in May 2016 an electrical fault in the powerplant caused a catastrophic fire and the Moulin was all but destroyed. The Moulin is owned by Michel Grépon who had then, and still has a second Moulin on the Célé River. We intend to return to the story of this Moulin and its future with a look at the arguments that surround small, hydro-electric plants – there is clearly some controversy and space does not allow us to consider this further. Also, worth mentioning – the Croustilot loaf of bread, familiar in the Lot. This is also linked to this Moulin. We will be back to that as well!
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
52 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Tasting the lot
harvest festivals Les Vendanges, and some ‘harvest’ goodies When I was a child growing up near Stratford upon Avon, I loved the Harvest Suppers in our village of Charlecote. A National Trust village where everything was locked in a time-gone-by. I loved it. Food, dancing, drinking (my first-ever wine was from a bottle of Chianti with a raffia base), my father swigging from the bottle and pretending to be from a foreign land! My Ma making amazing meat pies with the other ladies in the village.
O
ur harvest supper was held after we’d helped the local farmer with harvesting whatever was in the field behind our house. The worst year ever was the potatoes! It really was by hand and this was only the early 70s, so, I am sure someone had a harvesting machine, but they wanted it to be authentic! I certainly remember it. Now I’ve moved to France, I still love being involved in harvests, though mainly nowadays it’s just grapes. After my scavenging following the harvest of plums, apples and grapes from our local farm; I still feel the need for a giant meal to celebrate. Harvest traditions in France are pretty much the same as the UK, thought now it is only blood-members of a family that can officially work for free, everyone else must be paid. A cooked meal is not classed as payment! If you interested in attending a grape harvest, this is a good website to check out agricultural jobs on www.anefa-emploi.org. Or, see p.54.
There’s a different name for the harvesting of grapes, it is called Les vendanges. This year it should be the last week of September. So, go carefully on the road as there might have juice and skins spilt on them! Have patience when following a tractor from now until October, a whole year’s work relies on safely gathering in the crop! I’ve a few delicious recipes to share perfect for harvest time. Easy to make and easy to carry into the vineyard for a quick snack. In the next 2 months there are many harvest fêtes to visit. Keep an eye on my facebook page for places to visit. The walnut, cèpe and chestnut festivals are superb places to eat and meet! Happy Harvesting to you all!
Luci Cox
www.tasting-the-lot.com
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Fruit Pie with Walnut Pastry
Ingredients – Walnut Pastry 200g Plain Flour, 100g Caster Sugar, 100g Butter, 50ml water, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 40g Chopped walnuts Ingredients – Filling 5 Large apples, you could use pears, plums or quince, Sugar Syrup, 50g Caster sugar, 300ml water Method Crack the eggs and separate the yolks. Make a ring of flour on your chopping board. Put the butter, egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon and water in the centre of the circle and mush it all together with your hands. Gradually draw the flour into the mush, flicking it in a bit at a time until the whole thing is mixed together well. It will seem quite wet but don’t worry about it. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Pop the whole lot in some cling film, wrap it up and put it in the fridge for an hour or so. Peel and quarter the fruit of choice and carefully cut the cores out. Put the water and sugar into a pan and bring it to the boil. Let it boil for 10 minutes or so until it goes
Chestnut Muffins or Petite Cakes
a bit glossy. Put the fruit quarters in the sugar solution and simmer for about 4 minutes. Remove from the liquid and set aside on some kitchen paper to dry and cool. After an hour, take the dough out of the fridge. It should be slightly firmer. On a floured chopping board roll out two thirds the dough into a circle with a rolling pin until it is the right size to fit the tart dish. Carefully lift the rolled-out dough by rolling it round the rolling pin and lifting it – if it’s sticky, put some flour on the rolling pin. Lay the dough onto the tart dish and press down gently so it fits the dish snugly. Don’t worry if the edges aren’t neat, you can either trim it and patch it or leave it as it is for that home-made look. Now put the fruit quarters in the dish in a circle with the thinner end towards the middle in a wheel shape. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F. Roll out the remaining third of the dough in a circle until it’s the right size to fit over the top of the pears and reach the edge. Stamp out a 3-inch circle in the middle of the dough (I used the end of a tin of beans, pressed into the middle of the dough). Now lift the ring of pastry and put it over the pears. Fold the edges of the dough that’s lining the dish over the edge of the top layer of dough. Brush the dough with the egg white you reserved in a cup earlier – this will make it shiny when cooked. Put the whole thing into the pre-heated oven for 30/35 minutes until it is golden brown. Sprinkle some sugar over the top and serve it hot or cold with cream or ice cream. You can use fancy silicone moulds or fairy cake tins! Ingredients 250g chestnut cream (available in all supermarkets in pretty tins!) 2 eggs, 40 g (3 tbsp) butter, 1 pinch of fleur de sel, 100 g almond flour Method Preheat the oven to 160°C (320F). Melt the butter in a pan and set aside. Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. Mix the egg yolks and the chestnut cream together, then add the melted butter and almond flour, mixing well between each addition. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then gently fold the egg whites into the previous mix. Butter the muffin or cake tins, then fill to the 3/4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
54 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Apple and Quince Harvest Cake
Ingredients 3 large apples, 1 large quince or 2 small ones, 175g butter plus extra for greasing, 2 eggs, 180g soft brown sugar, 100g blanched almonds, processed to breadcrumb texture, 2 lemons, 85g self-raising flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 50g almond flakes Method Peel, core and roughly chop the apples and quince. Put the fruit into an oven-proof dish and cover with 50g of brown sugar as well as the zest and juice of a lemon. Bake at 180oC until the pieces are soft but not quite broken down. Cream together 150g of butter with 150g of soft brown sugar. Transfer to a bowl and beat in 2 eggs, one at a time. Add the blanched almonds and flour and baking powder and fold into the mixture. Mix the fruit in. Put the mixture in a greased, lined baking dish. For those who want specifics – about a 20cm dish will do. Bake for 30 minutes. In the meantime, melt 30g of butter with 25g of brown sugar in a pan, plus juice of a second lemon. Add almond flakes. Remove cake from the oven and spread mixture over top of the cake. Put back in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes longer, until brown. Leave to cool and then cut into pieces. Delicious.
Become a ‘GRAPE PICKER’ for a day!
The wine harvest is the result of a year of labour dedicated to producing a prestigious product. For a few years, many people have wanted to learn about the wine harvest atmosphere. So, the ‘Vigneron Independent’ Federation and its members, in partnership with the Tourism Offices of Cahors and La Vallée du Lot et du Vignoble, offer a unique experience – a few hours wine harvesting in the heart of a Cahors vineyard. This interactive experience is all about discovery, a unique opportunity to share a pleasant moment with a winemaker.
The possibilities are: Option 1: morning without lunch: 9am to 12pm: 30 e/pers. Option 2: afternoon without lunch: 2pm to 5pm: 30 e/pers. Option 3: morning with lunch: 9am to 2pm: 45 e/pers.
What happens during these grape harvests? • The winemaker will greet you and explain the techniques of grape harvesting • You will go to a vineyard for one to two hours of picking • Back at the domain, you’ll assist during the transformation from grape to wine • Degustation of wines • M eal for the grape pickers (if you took the lunch option) • At the end of this half-day, a diploma of ‘grape picker for a day’ is handed to you. For the dates and reservations, please contact the tourist offices:
Tourism Office of Cahors - 05 65 53 20 65 Tourism Office of the Vallée du Lot et du Vignoble - 5 65 36 06 06
The Quercy Local • September - November 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local
EXPOSITION
Art contemporain
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56 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
Kathy’s China & Cutlery Hire Up to 120 covers Minimum Hire Charge 40e Free Delivery 40km from Valeilles (82150) Rent it clean and send it back dirty!
kathyschinahire@hotmail.com
F
ollowing the great success of the Spring Market held at Lavercantiere at the end of April, CSF Dordogne Est & Lot are organising an autumn market to be held on the 27th October 2018. The Halloween and Autumn market will take place at L’Espace Maurice Faure, Prayssac from 10.00 until 16.00 There will be the usual stalls of Local Crafts, Plants and Second-Hand Books, although this time at the Book Stall we are aiming to have books for all ages, adults, children and even bedtime books for babies!! There will also be a stall of hard-to-obtain British
Bon Coeur
Charity Boutique
Beauville 47470, Sous les Cornières, Place de la Mairie
SELLING
Books, clothes, brocante, jewellery in aid of mainly local good causes all run by volunteers. Raising money both for people and animals. Donations welcome too. Mardi, Mercredi, Vendredi – 14h00 – 16h00 Jeudi – 15h00 – 17h00 Vendredi & Dimanche 10h00 – 12h00 www.boncoeur47.fr boncoeur@boncour47.fr Bon Coeur 06 89 53 24 78
products, in time for the Christmas festivities. It may seem a long way away, but Christmas really is just around the corner, so take advantage of our stall of Christmas Cards and Christmas Decorations. Get in ahead of the rush!! Or try your luck at the Tombola – who knows – the perfect Christmas gift might be there for you. In addition, there’ll be a Raffle, with some enticing prizes including a signed copy of the latest Bruno Chief of Police novel by the renowned author Martin Walker. There really will be something for everyone. Why not enter our Pumpkin Carving Competition? Both adults and children can have a go at it – just bring along your carved pumpkin. You can make it scary or funny or perhaps a bit of both!! And just for the kids – we have a fancy-dress competition – with judging at 3pm. Think of it as a dress rehearsal before Halloween for their Trick or Treat costumes!! Our ‘dream team’ who did the catering at the Spring Fair will be in attendance and tea and cakes will be available all day. There will also be hot sausages and bacon from La Saucisserie and fish and chips from Cod en Bleu. So, come along and support our CSF Association which provides help and support to English speaking people living in France touched by cancer. Should you wish to apply for a stall or would like to donate to any of the CSF Stalls - plants, books, British Produce, Tombola or Raffle prizes please contact - Janet Whyte; Delot-vice-treasurer@ cancersupportfrance.org. We will also be giving a donation to La Ligue Contre Le Cancer.
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2018 Issue
May – June 2018 Issue 34
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Inside – Town of 2 Halves Moissac – a Donkeys Roquefort & Absinthe, Wine, & Local Events Art, Music, Theater Brexit Finances after
Inside – Bees, Gloucester Old Spots & Microgreens Wedding Venues, The Pilgrim’s Choice & Cherry Sauce
Spring Edition
Much Ado About Nothing Caylus & Penne d’Agenais
Inside – and Transhum ance A Missing Bugatti Box Tree Caterpilla rs Lauzerte and Luzech
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Autumn opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8:30h-12.30h & 14.00h to 18.00h Pépinière La Vida Verda SARL, Guillotes, 82110 Lauzerte 06 88 87 34 08 info@lavidaverda.com www.lavidaverda.com La Vida Verda Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
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M
Marvellous Mint
entha (mint), from the Lamiaceae family, is very easy to grow – in fact, it can be too easy, and is prone to invasiveness, so be careful where you plant it. This hardy perennial herb is a useful addition to the garden, flourishing in both full sun and partial shade, providing effective ground cover, attracting pollinators and offering a multitude of culinary uses as well as having medicinal qualities. Mint is a vigorous plant which will grow to between one and two feet tall, depending on the variety, and young plants placed 2 feet apart will easily grow to fill the gap. Mint thrives in light soil with good drainage, favouring good moisture levels (its native habitat is along stream banks) but tolerating dry soil. It grows in bushy, upright clumps, which benefit from regular harvesting and pruning to prevent sprawling. It is also advisable to prevent the spread of its horizontal runners and underground rhizomes, by planting in a pot, or providing some other form of root barrier. It is shallow-rooted and so is easy to pull out, if it becomes overly dominant. To harvest mint, cut the top leaves first, which will promote growth from the base of the plant. Leaves can be used fresh or dried. To dry them, hang sprigs in bunches somewhere dry, dark and warm, or dry in a dehydrator or the lowest setting of your oven. Prune plants throughout the growing season of spring and summer, removing old stems to encourage young new shoots to grow. At the end of the growing season, in late autumn, when the leaves are yellowing, cut the plants down to the ground. This protects the plant throughout winter, allowing vital energy to be put into the new growth in the following spring. Mint is useful in companion planting, its strong scent repelling insect pests, whilst also attracting beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. The source of its strong scent also provides it with its medicinal and healing properties, with menthol oil delivering antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve fevers, headaches and digestive upsets such as indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and an upset stomach. Use it to make mint tea. Or, for a headache, apply a compress of mint leaves to your forehead. Mint also contains the phytonutrient, perillyl alcohol, which can help to prevent colon, lung and skin cancer. Mint’s freshness also makes it appealing in health and beauty products, as mouthwash and breath
freshener, either by making an infusion or simply by chewing on a few leaves. It can also be added to homemade soaps, shampoos, bodywashes and face packs, or just scattered directly into the bath as a bath soak. In addition to cleansing your body, mint can cleanse your home, and you can create air fresheners, pot pourris, and moth repellent fragrant sachets for placing in drawers and wardrobes. Standard mint varieties, such as peppermint and spearmint, are found in most herb gardens, but if you want to opt for something a little different, there are many interesting and unusual varieties to be found, each with their own appearance, scent and flavour. Spearmint, Mentha spicata Spearmint, a classic choice, is worth including. It has a distinctive spearmint taste that one associates with packets of spearmint sweets, and creates a mellow tingle and coolness in the mouth. It’s great as a garnish for ice cold lemonade, or for making your own spearmint flavored mints. Peppermint, Mentha x piperita Peppermint, the other classic mint variety, is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint (an aquatic mint). It has a higher concentration of menthol and has a deeper flavour than spearmint and is cooling and slightly numbing. Add it, finely chopped, with plenty of butter,
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Don’t forget your Autumn plants! Everything for the garden and your pets, regional products and decorations. La Pépinière 82110 LAUZERTE 05 63 29 00 98 lesjardindaulery@orange.fr les jardins d’aulery to new potatoes, or, for a sweet treat, add in fresh leaves as well as (or instead of) mint extract to make peppermint creams. Strawberry mint, Mentha x piperita subsp. Citrata, ‘strawberry’ Strawberry mint is sweeter and has a lovely scent and taste of strawberries. Keep jugs of iced water in the fridge, infused with strawberry mint and cucumber slices, add whole or shredded leaves to succulent bowls fresh, juicy strawberries, or make an interesting garnish of strawberry, mint and basil with balsamic vinegar. Orange mint, Mentha x piperita citrata Orange mint is mellow, and doesn’t taste as strongly of oranges as strawberry mint does of strawberries, but it is still very pleasant. It’s nice used as a garnish for cakes or added into jellies. Chocolate mint, Mentha x piperita ‘chocolate’ Chocolate mint tends to be popular, and no surprises there, as it really is very chocolatey. This sweet mint is great for making puddings, for example: mint chocolate mousse; mint chocolate chip ice-cream, and homemade after eights. Menthe rouge, Mentha x smithiana Red Mint is a sweet variety, named after its characteristic red stem. It is a tasty option for salads or for making mint tea. Mentha Spicata (Crispa, Curly Mint) Crispa mint is popular in France. This sweet, curled leaf variety is attractive, making it useful as a garnish, or you can freeze it along with water or mint tea in ice cube trays for fun, pretty ice cubes.
(field mint) and has a gingery, slightly bitter taste. It’s a great mint for pairing with dried or fresh root ginger in such dishes as ginger and mint lemonade, hot chocolate and tea. It’s also nice on fresh summer salads such as melon and watermelon. Mojito Mint, Mentha x villosa Mojito mint originates from Cuba and it’s the base of their refreshing cocktail, the eponymous Mojito. It has a fresh, slightly bitter taste, and makes an ideal gift for cocktail loving friends.
John and Debbie (Le Jardin des Espiemonts) 06 44 23 73 65 lejardindesespiemonts@gmail.com
Mentha x gracilis (Ginger mint) Ginger mint is a cross between spearmint and cornmint Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
60 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
1000 mains à la pâte
From Costume to Chrysanthemum All Hallows Eve, All Saints & All Souls Day
On October 6, 2018 it’s the 4th ‘Mille mains à la pâte pour le chemin de Compostelle’. Which mobilises more than 500 volunteers to help with the restoration of the GR65 route as it passes through the Lot. 137 km from Montredon (before Figeac) to Montlauzun (after Montcuq). The 4 authorities covering this route are, Grand Figeac, Communauté de Communes Lalbenque-Limogne, Mairie de Cahors, Communauté de Communes du Quercy Blanc, and they support this endeavour. The Conseil Départemental du Lot’s communication department helps promote the campaign. ‘Les chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France’ was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Within this listing (in the Lot) are the Hôpital St Jacques à Figeac, the Dolmen de Pech Lagraille à Gréalou, the Pont Valentré and Cathedral at Cahors, and Rocamadour in its entirety. Seven sections of the pilgrim route from Puy were awarded special status and three of these are in the Lot. (Montredon to Figeac, Faycelles to Cajarc and Bach to Cahors). This year is the 20th anniversary of this grading of important sections of the route, lots of events are taking place throughout France. See www.cheminscompostelle-patrimoinemondial.fr. The enthusiasm shown by volunteers for restoring this route highlights its value. It’s a chance to work outdoors with like-minded people on an important project. There’s great satisfaction in seeing sections of the route cleared, walls rebuilt, and benches installed. There’s no doubt that the thousands of pilgrims crossing the Lot will appreciate the arduous work carried out for them and hopefully they’ll want to return to the region. For a worthwhile and enjoyable day do come along! Volunteers meet – Sat., Oct. 6th, at 8:30am in La Salle des Fêtes in Varaire. Please register before Sept. 24th - www.lalbenque.net.
All Hallows Eve – Oct 31st This has Pagan, Roman and more recent Christian connotations. During the millennia it’s been associated with harvest, that hopeful space between the sadness of the close of summer and the darkness of winter. A time for giving thanks for the stored crops and for seeking reassurance that the coldness and harshness of winter would be overcome. This date has more recently become known as Halloween with its inevitable costumes. This costumery is thought to originate from the early British Christian practice of gathering on this night to seek protection from evil. This involved the depiction of a battle between good and evil, which in turn required the waring of costumes! Today, with the costumes comes the practice of ‘trick-or-treating’. A practice which is not entirely the product of supermarket advertising. ‘Trick-or-Treating’ has medieval and religious foundations. It evolved from ‘going-a-souling’ which meant the poor going door-todoor (often disguised in costume) to collect soul-cakes, the householders’ donation of which helped the plight of their loved ones in purgatory.
All Saints Day – Nov 1st (Toussaint in France) References to this Saints Day go back over 14000 years and the date has been important to many different religions and beliefs. Eventually it became a date predominantly observed by the Catholic Church. A day for remembering and honouring all Saints; as well as departed ‘loved ones’ who’d all have been typically named after the Saints. Before this date you’ll see a huge upturn in the availability of chrysanthemums in shops and nurseries. Chrysanthemums are the flowers that are traditionally placed on family graves on this day.
All Souls Day – Nov 2nd More-often today, All Soul and All Saints Days are celebrated together on the 1st. However, this was originally a day for praying for the souls of the departed, particularly those thought to be in purgatory (perhaps not having confessed their sins).
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NEW OFFICE NOW OPEN IN MONTCUQ IN THE HEART OF THE QUERCY BLANC
Mouly immobilier is a specialist, expert property agency who have been an authority in property sales for half a century. Three successive generations have resulted in us having great knowledge, dynamism and a reputation for quality and reliability. We pride ourselves on treating everyone as individuals. With a Head Office on the main boulevard in Cahors and a local and international client data base we can help you with all aspects of buying and selling your French property. You can contact Marianne Charpentier on 06 71 71 77 22 or, at mouly.montcuq@gmail.com You can also visit our website: www.mouly-immobilier.com Mouly Immobilier, 4 Avenue de la Promenade, 46800, Montcuq
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SPECIALIST IN Travertine, Wall and Floor Tiling, Plaster Boarding, Plastering, General Building & New Builds References available Mobile Phone: 06 12 82 49 04 Evening Phone 05 63 29 27 31 Email: stephen.tyler@sfr.fr Siret: 802 145 706 00015 Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
62 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
THE HANDS OF TIME Clocks, watches, time-pieces of all sorts – a fascinating world. We meet two watchmakers living in the Lot to discover a little of this dwindling art. Laurent Pasqualini and Pierre Ferraris actually let us into their workshops! by V Rousseau
LAURENT PASQUALINI,
TRESPOUX RASSIELS
As a teenager Laurent decided his future would involve ‘clocks’. He attended l’école d’horlogerie d’Anet in Normandy along with his younger brother Christian. Here they were taught by France’s greatest craftsmen. Rather than (as many of his peers would) following a career in Switzerland, Laurent settled in Villemur sur Tarn and ran a watch and jewelry shop from 1986 to 2010. Once the shop closed he moved to Trespoux Rassiels in the Lot and returned to his real passion ‘watch repairing’ becoming a ‘Horloger en chambre’ (watchman working from home). His previous customers returning and ‘word of mouth’ soon meant he had customers from 46,82,81 and 31 departments, even as far as Tulle in Corrèze. He received repair work from shops and from private customers who came to find him with their treasures. He often received comtoise (French longcase clocks – sometimes referred to as Morbier Clocks) as these are generally old and usually have sentimental value. Why chose watchmaking? Well, Laurent loves the meticulousness, the precision and the dexterity that is required. But also, that you must be so patient to avoid breakages and handle such tiny parts. The mechanisms are often so old that Laurent has to re-build them
himself as pieces such as axis and wheels are often no longer manufactured. Communication between horlogers is critical to locate pieces that someone may have stored away. Very specific tools are necessary for repairs, such as a ‘bocfil’ saw and ‘tour à main’ – tools that have not changed for over a century. Indeed, Laurent has tools that are 150 years old. Lathing, cutting, adjusting, just as with so many different mechanical skills but, in this case, with a touch of Lilliput added in. Laurent can call on his brother Christian, who lives in Haute Garonne, sometimes they can help each other with a piece of equipment. Christian has a workshop creating planetary clocks. Thankfully, there are still people who prefer to repair items rather than simply throw them away. Sometimes these are valuable items or perhaps sentimental, a grandfather’s watch perhaps! But, this is a labour of love, it would be impossible for Laurent to charge for every minute he spends repairing these treasures. Whether it’s tiny and delicate or large and complicated – these time-pieces need time and whole lot of patience. 06 03 28 76 19 laurent.pasqualini@orange.fr
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PIERRE FERRARIS,
CASTELNAU MONTRATIER
Pierre is nearly retired. He moved to the Lot, 21 years ago, after a life in Paris. Where he’d studied at L’Ecole Diderot and managed a watch shop most of his working life. His move was driven by a desire to find an old mill-house. Castelnau Montratier proved perfect and Pierre and his wife settled there. Pierre has created a workshop and gathers clocks and watches to repair from near and far. Pierre is also involved in creating a cuckoo clock museum ‘Au Royaume du Coucou’. Work has begun building a giant cuckoo clock, using the mechanism from an old clock from Lauzes (46). There is much to do, the movement to restore, parts to build, winders to prepare as well as clock hands, chime, dancing figures for the top and, naturally, a cuckoo! Pierre is making everything himself including the creation of a red-cedar case for his giant clock. It won’t only be cuckoo clocks in his museum but clepsydres (water clocks), sundials, planetary clocks,
tellurion (day/night, seasons, moon), astrolabe (among other uses – planet identification). Pierre will soon start crowd-funding to help him bring his museum to life and he will also be looking for some volunteers to help! Whilst this project is on-going Pierre continues to repair watches, clocks, chimes, alarm clocks and cuckoo clocks! A skilled cabinet-maker, he often builds new cases for the large clocks. He has thousands of spare parts and knows exactly where to find the right one! You don’t need to ask why he’s a large magnifying glass permanently fixed to his forehead! When Pierre travels he is always looking for objects related to his work (and passion). Among the items he collects are marine clocks, comtoise cases and Greenwich clocks. He loves nothing more than to build a rare object from plans he sometimes finds. We have no doubt that the Cuckoo Museum will be worth visiting, so we’ll be going back to have a look. You can follow progress here Royaume du coucou 05 65 21 88 34
Did you know that there was a clock museum in Salviac? Musée Association Les Vieilles horloges à Salviac (46) A workshop and museum that protects a ‘timeless’ history and the know-how of many generations of craftsmen. The collection has items from the 12th century, through to modern times. You can see a range of different time-pieces and work being done in the workshop. Including an ancient 14th century technique for re-building clock cases called ‘Faux Bois’ a skill
that would otherwise have disappeared. Association member and former cabinet maker, Robert Gaillon, imparted his knowledge of the process to his daughter, Myriam, who continues the technique today. Workshops are held to teach aspects of working with watches and clocks. Lieu dit Cambelève – 46340 SALVIAC – 05 65 32 18 80 vieilleshorlogesdesalviac@orange.fr www.les-vieilles-horloges-de-salviac.com
Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
64 • THE QUERCY LOCAL
La chaine cinématique d’un instrument de comptage du temps Comment fonctionne votre horloge, votre montre mécanique ou votre montre à quartz ? Tous ces instruments utilisent le même principe : une force motrice, une transmission de cette force, un organe régulateur, et une dernière transmission jusqu’aux aiguilles. La force motrice : Dans les horloges c’est un poids en pierre, en fonte ou un ressort.
A charity dedicated to the welfare of pet & stray cats Based in Roquecor, Les amis des chats ensures a better quality of life for hundreds of village and country cats each year. Help us to help them! Our charity shops in Lauzerte and Roquecor are opened and welcome you. Check the opening hours on our website. You will find books, clothes and bric à brac at very low prices! Don’t miss our beautiful calendar 2019 soon for sale in our boutiques and on-line!
Dans la montre mécanique c’est un ressort que l’on arme manuellement ou qui s’arme grâce à un mécanisme de remontage automatique fonctionnant avec les mouvements du bras. Dans la montre à quartz la force motrice est fournie par le courant de la pile. La transmission de cette énergie : Elle est assurée par un train de rouage (pignons et roues) pour les appareils mécaniques. Cette transmission d’énergie est nécessaire pour entretenir le mouvement de l’organe régulateur. La qualité du rouage est fondamentale dans les montres mécaniques d’où l’utilisation de rubis afin d’améliorer la rotation des axes. Dans la montre à quartz l’acheminement de l’énergie est assuré par un circuit intégré qui alimente en électricité l’organe régulateur.
Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page and our website www.les-amis-des-chats.com to learn more about us and for more information on forthcoming events.
Calling all horse & pony lovers!
L’organe régulateur : C’est un balancier pendulaire, d’où le nom de pendule qui en fait est un type d’horloge qui utilise un balancier pendulaire, l’horloge étant un appareil horaire qui peut utiliser d’autres moyens de régulation que la pendule. Pour les montres et les réveils mécaniques c’est un balancier circulaire. Pour les montres à quartz il s’agit d’un barreau de quartz. Dans ces trois cas on utilise leur fréquence d’oscillation précise pour compter le temps : - Pour le balancier pendulaire sa longueur (que l’on ajuste pour avancer ou retarder) ; - Pour le quartz ses propriétés piézo-électriques qui le font vibrer à une très haute fréquence lorsqu’il est soumis Un train de rouage que ça soit pour les montres, les horloges mécaniques et les montres à quartz, permet d’afficher l’heure en donnant un mouvement synchrone aux aiguilles. Finalement, de l’horloge de nos grands-mères à la montre à quartz actuelle le principe de mesure du temps a toujours été le même. (Laurent Pasqualini)
Concours equestre en ligne is new venture that started at the beginning of August. The idea is to allow people to compete with their equines without the hassle and cost of transport or the worry of the renowned French paperwork! It’s open to anyone who lives in France. We will run a schedule of classes each month with varying themes and the chance to win beautiful rosettes and prizes. To enter, nothing could be easier. Just visit our facebook page and send your photos via messenger along with your name, horses name, which class you would like to enter and your email address. Happy competing everyone! concoursequestreenligne
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L’OPALE : PIERRE MALEFIQUE ?
P
ierre iridescente, l’opale peut être blanche (couleur de lait), noire, orange, bleue, rose, rouge et même violette. Elle est, le plus souvent caractérisée par une mosaïque de couleurs avec de profonds reflets. On l’a qualifie parfois de pierre magique. Mais sa réputation se révèle, aussi, « sulfureuse » auprès des joailliers et bijoutiers. Certains refusent encore, aujourd’hui, de la « travailler » ou de la commercialiser car elle porterait malheur ! Cette réputation peut trouver sa source dans le roman de Sir Walter Scott, Anne de Geierstein, paru en 1829. Il y raconte l’histoire de Lady Hermione, accusée de sorcellerie qui meurt après que son opale ait reçu quelques gouttes d’eau bénite. Une goutte se déposa sur l’opale. Celle-ci devint une pierre vidée de toutes ses couleurs et la princesse s’effondra en se tordant de douleurs. On la transporta dans sa chambre pour qu’elle puisse se reposer mais lorsqu’on alla prendre de ses nouvelles, elle avait disparu. A la place de son corps, on retrouva une poignée de cendres grises. La parution du roman suffit en quelques mois à faire chuter le marché de l’opale. L’impératrice Eugénie, impressionnée par la lecture du roman prétendit, elle aussi, que la pierre était maléfique. Elle fut également interdite à la cour des tsars à la fin du XIXème siècle. D’autres références historiques justifieraient le maléfice (l’opale « Incendie de Troie » offerte par Napoléon à l’impératrice Joséphine qui n’a pas porté chance au couple… A noter, au surplus, que Napoléon eut un accident avec son carrosse qui portait le nom d’Opale !) A la Cour d’Angleterre, au contraire, la Reine Victoria proclama l’opale comme son joyau favori. Elle faisait référence aux Opales australiennes particulièrement belles. A l’occasion de sa première visite en 1954 en Australie du sud, la célèbre opale Andamooka fut offerte à la reine d’Angleterre, Elizabeth II. Cette opale
aux magnifiques éclats rouges, bleus et verts est sertie de diamants sur un collier que la Reine a porté lors de son couronnement. De même que la reine Victoria, elle a assuré la promotion de l’opale noble dans tout le Commonwealth. Comme l’émeraude, cette pierre fragile est difficile à travailler. Ce qui explique que les lapidaires et sertisseurs cassaient souvent cette pierre et devaient indemniser leurs clients. Ainsi, au XVème siècle, Louis XI reçut du roi d’Angleterre, une opale qu’il voulut faire monter en médaillon. Il la confia à son joaillier qui la brisa en mille éclats. Louis XI lui fit alors, en représailles, trancher les mains …on comprend dès lors que cette pierre soit associée à la scoumoune ou à la malchance dans la profession. Réticence fondée ou non ? Une chose est certaine : l’opale fascine ! … depuis l’antiquité. Les Grecs et les Romains la considéraient comme la pierre la plus précieuse du monde. Aujourd’hui, le diamant a pris cette place. Contrairement au diamant, l’opale n’a pas de cote et vous trouverez encore des professionnels qui refusent d’en avoir dans leur stock. Max Chanfreau, Moissac Vous aussi, vous pouvez nous faire part de vos billets d’humeur, de vos intérêts associatifs ou caritatifs, nous parler de votre ville ou de votre passion .... Alors, à vos stylos pour notre prochaine édition de Decembre : nous attendons vos textes en français !
Robert Atkinson Work can be seen References available Roofing Stonework Plastering l
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Las Razes, Touffailles (82190), 06 02 23 98 51, lasrazes@gmail.com, Siret: 499 560 654 00026 Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Quercy Local • September - November 2018
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Parc d’exposition de 3 hectares Show Room - Livraison dans toute la France
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