We drove through the beautiful countryside featured in the Tour de France yesterday, exploring the vineyards of Cahors and enjoying some wine tasting at Chateau de Cayx. This estate, owned by Prince Henrik, is where the Danish Queen spends each August.
Since we weren’t invited for lunch there, we continued west towards the Bastide towns. These towns are fortified and laid out in a rectangular or square plan with straight streets that intersect at right angles, blending medieval charm with a touch of modern city planning. Almost 300 of these Bastide towns were built in southwestern France between 1220 and 1370 by order of King Edward I of England. This effort helped maintain British rule in the region for nearly 100 more years until the French victory in 1453.
We had a late lunch in one of these hilltop Bastides, basking in the bright, warm sun and feeling the hot wind. With a cool table wine, we savored our favorite dish, Salade Perigourdian. It’s the perfect combination for a hot day! A tip for travelers: learning some basic French phrases can make a big difference—you’ll be treated better for making the effort!
Our day concluded in St. Emilion, near Bordeaux. In the warm evening, we wandered the picturesque streets of this charming town, surrounded by some of the finest vineyards in the region. At the Place de l’Eglise Monolithe, we enjoyed dinner while sampling three wines from different parts of France. The saying is true—rabbit really does taste like chicken! As for the wine, whether it’s the terroir or selection, we favored the Bordeaux.
If you’re visiting the area, consider making a detour to Rocamadour or stopping by the lovely town of Sarlat. They’re well worth the visit.
suansuan