My French Connection: Day3 (4 Jul-2020)

Day 3.

Today we promised ourselves a relaxing day

So we drove into Auch to renew our acquaintance with this small but beautiful city.

Parking the car, we walked down the steps to the main square where the statue of D'Artagnan seemed to welcome us.

https://www.rozimages.com/en/travel-photography/dartagnan-and-pousterles/

The magnificent Saint-Marie cathedral stood at the far end and was surrounded by market stalls offering all kinds of produce from the region. On the corner of Rue Dessoles lies the half-timbered 15th. century building that originally held the Auch tourist office.

This particular street, although small, is crammed with shops restaurants and cafes.

It also houses one of those little gems that one only comes across on very few occasions, the small quaint artisan Patisserie Eric Messerer. Absolutely wonderful mouthwatering cream cakes and pastries. If one thing that encourages me to visit Auch it is here. Check the web page you will certainly not be disappointed.

www.patisserie-messerer.com .

Lunchtime we picnicked on the way to the Chateau Laverdens.

www.auch-tourisme.com/patrimonie-culture/chateau-de-laverdens

This imposing building was constructed in the year 1140 and was almost destroyed in the 60's to make way for a highway which, thank goodness, never happened. Until January 2021 they have two exhibitions on display. Excellent cartoons by English artist Perry Taylor and a Chinese display, both seemingly extremely bizarre in these historic surroundings.

Leaving the chateau, we stopped at the Laverdens restaurant and bar for refreshments on the terrace. This establishment lay between the chateau and the small village church. So, after our break we decided to take a look at the church.

"Would you really? Wonderful!"

Arriving at the church door we were in time to see a short sandy haired man with a broad smile who appeared to be closing the church door behind some recent visitors. He turned and saw us. "We would like to see the church," I said. His smile grew wider.

With this comment we expected to see something really special in churches but no. It had quite a plain interior and seemed, well, just a church. However, I guide had different ideas and led us to one side of the alter where there was an old harmonium. Making sure we were seated comfortable he sat down and proceeded to some classical music breaking off every now and again to chat to us about his background and the history of Laverdens. It was a very special interlude.

The day ended with the usual excellent Le Cousteau dinner and it was bedtime.