Brantome…..MAGNIFIQUE !!!!!
Today, a lovely sunny day, we left our Farmhouse to travel 30 minutes south to Brantome….known as “the Venice of the Perigord”. It is just beautiful – an island surrounded by the River Dronne. Lots of little winding streets, and we chose to go today being market day, so there was much activity. We wandered and bought some french delicacies, such as sauscisson (little sausages of the region), cheese, foie gras, and some local wine. The area is just lovely. In the 8th century Benedictine monks moved into caves at the bottom of the cliff before founding an Abbey. We had telephoned a couple of days prior, a restaurant recommended to us overlooking the River Dronne (Restaurant Charbonnel), so we were booked in for a 1pm lunch. Well……on entering, we were somewhat dismayed at how “flash” it was…..and when the menu was presented to us concerned at whether we could afford to eat !!! We had seen a Plat de Jour (Menu of the Day) advertised on a billboard outside, so in our faltering French requested this. We felt that we were the only ones requesting the “cheapest option”, but realised later that many of the clientelle were having the same menu as us. Well…..the meal was TRULY MEMORABLE….we paid 25 Euro each for a 3-course, incredible French meal, BEAUTIFULLY presented and just delicious!! Included with this was a glass of very nice wine and a very good coffee with complimentary chocolates and bread. WE WILL RETURN and we will return to visit Brantome again and again !!!!! We plan to go again next Friday, and take Maurice who is expected to arrive on Monday (volcanic eruptions in Iceland permitting). You can hire canoes/kayaks and go up and down the Dronne – this is in our plans for return trips.