Location, location, location

If I could animate this map, it would start with an overall look at the country of France and start zooming in to where the red indicator shows our location.  Of the 15 regions of France, we are in the Massif Central.  This region embraces the dramatic landscapes of the Auvergne, Limousin, Aveyron and Lozère.   We are in the Limousin, on the northwestern edge of the Massif Central.  A further breakdown would bring us to the Corrèze area, and then to the little town of La Roche-Canillac.

The Massif Central is a region of strange, wild beauty - one of France's best-kept secrets.  The huge central plateau of ancient granite and crystalline rock embraces dramatic landscapes.  It is strung with giant volcanoes, and was once a crossroads for pilgrims.  It is a region of unsuspected richness.

The Auvergne is the Massif Central's lush volcanic core, with many opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast.  To the east are mountain ranges and to the west are giant chains of extinct volcanoes. The Aveyron spreads into the southwest with rivers running through gorges and valleys with their cliff-hanging villages.  To the east are the vast isolated uplands, barren plateaux that give farmers a poor living but are a favourite route for adventurous travelers. The Limousin on the northwestern edge of the Massif Central is gentler country with green pastures.

La Roche-Canillac (pronounced Rush Can-ee-yak), is very small, covering an area of approximately 3 sq. km.  Its population has been slowly declining and probably doesn't even number 200 residents.  There is a church, a bakery, a pharmacy which also sells bread and milk, a family doctor, and that's about it.  The local grocery store closed its doors a while back but negotiations are now underway for someone to buy and re-open it.  It would bring back much needed vitality to this little hamlet.  The Auberge (Inn) has been closed for almost 15 years.

L'église (the church)

Main street



La Mairie (City Hall)



Auberge that is closed

When I said that Karl and I enjoy small villages rather than large cities, I think we may have finally found the limit of our tolerance for privacy and quiet.  It takes 20 minutes to get to any of the larger centres where one can find restaurants and other tourist attractions.  To get there, you must drive on very narrow and twisty roads, often with switchbacks along the way.  Not sure how we'll fare after a dinner with wine, trying to negotiate these roads late at night.  No light except the moon and a canopy of stars, and often solid rock on one side and a steep cliff on the other.  I think we may have to change our habits and eat our main meal at lunch time so that we can come home during daylight hours!

Home

Deux Cantous

The village itself is delightful.  Most houses are made of stone since there is such an abundance of it in the area.  Nobody is crowded and there is so much breathing space.  Huge trees, wild grass and a variety of birds.  It's peaceful.  The day is punctuated by the hourly ringing of the church bells, a child's laughter, and the occasional dog barking. This is the perfect spot for a writer or an artist.