Domme

Domme a remote town from the past

700 years and still standing

Opps Domme is a town we visited a couple of days ago that I forgot to post on time. So much to do so little time ! Domme was founded as a stronghold in 1281  In 1307, the Knight Templars were imprisoned in Domme during the trial against them, of which hundreds of Templar graffiti still bear witness. The above towers  Porte des Tours were converted into prisons in 1307 when the Knights Templers were arrested by the king, and it is still possible to see the engraved crucifixes they carved where they were imprisoned. Take my word for you would never want to be a resident in any of the prisons or dungeons back in the day. These are the order of Templars that were in the book by Dan Brown. Domme is a very interesting and unrestored town with twin castles . Amazing they still are intact.  Domme is an unusual among the bastide towns, it still retains part of its original fortified walls and the gateways into the town. The ramparts are extremely thick and there remain three of the original doors. The Porte des Tours is perhaps the most impressive, with its round towers and are reached by walking down really attractive streets lined with a mixed array of occupied homes and cottages all in the honey-colored  stone that is distinctive to this region. And yes you can find some very nice shops while you are there. Another great stop along the way

Max & Debbie working the neighborhood

Carolyn's new hat. Another shopping success story

Nothing gets past our tour director

Don't know who he is but I like the look.

The infamous Templar knight

Handmade Vestments for the priests

Old and beautiful

Dick looking for the right shot.

What can I say.....our traveling beauties.

My new friend a Belgian Shepard

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The Templar knight

Don't get lost

Nice garage

Albi

Moulin Rouge by T Latrec

We made it to another classic town, Albi . A Busy small city outside of Cordes close to where we are staying. Like the other towns and unlike anything in the USA it is realllly old.The first human settlement in Albi was in the Bronze age  (3000-600 BC). Among the buildings of the town is the Sainte Cécile cathedral, a masterpiece of the Southern Gothic style, built between the 13th and 15 century as a statement of the Christian faith. There are over 200 statues in original condition and the stain glass is fantastic. It is the largest church I have ever seen other than the Vatican. Albi is the home of the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. More than 1000 works, including the 31 famous posters, are held here. This body of work forms the largest public collection in the world devoted to Toulouse-Lautrec. If you are a fan of Toulouse and the Moulin Rouge this a a great stop. 

Actually the visit worked well for the guys due to ladies were not in full shopping mode. Cordes wore them down before we arrived in Albi. Other than $15 Euro donation I made to a very lovely fast talking lady in the church I got out with little expense. The saying goes I have been Albied, i.e. husled. We have met some very interesting people along the way including a gentlemen ,Edward from Seattle / Switzerland who spoke 5 languages.  We had dinner with him  and he sure did make ordering for 9 easy and educational....thank you again.

Today we are on a long haul across the French Alps, 350 miles. This is our longest trip of the vacation. We are going to a beautiful town near the Switzerland border, Annecy, France.

St Cecile Cathederal

Group decision on what to do ...not easy

ahh the ladies having a fun day

Portrait of Toulouse Lautrec

Iron ball guard rails. Do not hit these with your car

Mountain goating up the walkways

Street vender making crepes

Mary & Gary hanging at the local tavern waiting on the lost ones

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Leaving town .famous river ?