lundi 2 avril 2007

Limousin : an occitan language

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occitan_language

In Bourdoux, you will find some people speaking what they name patois, the limousin occitan language.

Bourdoux in Perigord

Perigord on wikipedia

“the Frenchman’s paradise,”

" In the Dordogne, all of France’s provincial charms have been distilled into one of the world’s most beautiful medieval cities, Sarlat-la-Canéda. The entire town, which Henry Miller called “the Frenchman’s paradise,” is a historical monument, boasting the greatest concentration of medieval, Renaissance, and 17th-century facades of any town in Europe. Sarlat is the capital of the Périgord Noir, a lushly forested corner of Aquitaine embraced by the Dordogne and Vézère rivers. From any angle Sarlat is a feast for the eyes, but it is also a gourmet’s dream: the home of France’s finest foie gras, truffles, strawberries, walnuts—the quintessence of Gallic cuisine. Here, every Wednesday and Saturday, Salat hosts one of Frances most wonderful markets, a vast kaleidoscopic tableau of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats, as well as crafts and a colorful array of French country folk. In this the first of our popular Village Life programs in France, we’ll unpack only once, then use our hotel as a base for exploring the Périgord Noir region. "
source :
http://alumnicollege.wlu.edu/alumni_abroad/Dordogne/dordogne.htm

"one of the most beautiful natural regions in France"

"Travel inland from Bordeaux to Dordogne, one of the most beautiful natural regions in France, with slow rivers sometimes cutting through spectacular steep limestone valleys, riddled with caves, many containing world-famous prehistoric paintings.. A region proud of its gastronomic specialities (foie gras, truffles, cheeses, chocolate …), food lovers and gourmets will savour the traditions of good living and eating well. “Land of Prehistoric man”, the Dordogne is bursting with superb prehistoric sites, which trace of the birth of human existence, such as the famous Lascaux caves. Nesting on a cliff, Nontron is famous for its hand-crafted knife with its pale wooden handle and carved motifs, it is the most ancient of folding knives. La Dordogne, land of contrast and of sweet living !! Places to discover : Visit the nice old town of Nontron : remnants of the town’s 13th century ramparts ; half-timbered houses and ancient quarters many houses dating from the 15-17th century. And the famous Périgord-Limousin National Park aswell as Villard caves, the Lascaux caves, and Limoges . Other activities in the Perigord include water sports, canoeing, tennis, horse-riding, horse-driven carriage, rides, walks and mountain-biking, lake and river fishing and golf..The region is dotted with small towns and villages, all typically French in character. Because this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times there is a wealth of sites and monuments to visit Brantome, Sarlat, Montbazillac, Bergerac, Périgueux, Les Eyzies (the Cro-Magnon Man). The whole region is dotted with chateaux or you can just relax and spend the day swimming in the many lakes and rivers, cycling through the quiet lanes or walking the marked footpaths."
source :
http://www.wakeupinfrance.co.uk/region-overview.aspx?productid=68731

"the region is among the top vacation spots in France"

" The Dordogne & Perigord -- The land of foie gras and truffles is the site of some of Europe's oldest settlements. For biking or indulging in gourmet meals, the region is among the top vacation spots in France. In the Périgord, the cave paintings at Les Eyzies reveal traces of Cro-Magnon settlements. The Dordogne is the second-largest département (the French equivalent of an American state). Highlights are the ancient towns of Périgueux, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Sarlat-le-Canéda, and Beynac-et-Cazenac.

The Massif Central -- The rugged heartland of south-central France, this underpopulated district contains ancient cities, unspoiled scenery, and an abundance of black lava, from which many buildings were created. The largest cities are Clermont-Ferrand and Limoges -- the medieval capitals of the provinces of the Auvergne and the Limousin. Bourges, a gateway to the region and once capital of Aquitaine, has a beautiful Gothic cathedral. "

A quotation from here (New York Time)

Visit in Perigord/ A visiter au Périgor