Monday, July 30, 2012

A Visit To the Aubazine Abbey In Corrèze

A Visit To the Aubazine Abbey In Corrèze

IMG_8722IMG_8695IMG_8699IMG_8720IMG_8702IMG_8704IMG_8710IMG_8718IMG_8715IMG_8709IMG_8713First, I must apologize for the long silence. Though it was my intention to post regularly from France, I must admit that it is harder to find time to sit at the computer when there is so much to do, so much to explore. I hope that the photos above of a visit to Aubazine in the Corrèze will make up for the lack of recent posts.

Aubazine is roughly two hours from our house in the hills of the Auvergne. It is the site of a splendid 12th-century Cistercian abbey, which was founded by Etienne de Vielzot (St. Etienne) in 1135.   By the XVIIth century,  the abbey had about 300 members, but by the time of the French Revolution, the number had dwindled and there were only a few monks left.

By the XIX century,  the sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Mary ran an orphanage in the monastery attached to the abbey. In February 1895, Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel and her two sisters were brought to the orphanage by their father, upon the death of their mother.  Coco was just 11 years old. The future fashion designer stayed in Aubazine for six years, during which she lead a rather austere life.  Her time in the abbey had a profound impact on her life and on her designs.  It is said that the logo for her company, two interlacing Cs, was inspired by the intricate designs of the abbey's glass window panes, and that the patterns in the stone floors were recreated in her jewelry designs.

Though the abbey is definitely worth a visit, Aubazine itself, the small town that grew around around the Abbey over the centuries, is quite charming as well.


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Market Day In Issoire

Market Day In Issoire

IMG_8600IMG_8587IMG_8607IMG_8602IMG_8581IMG_8590IMG_8592IMG_8584IMG_8583IMG_8589IMG_8608IMG_8598IMG_8580IMG_8605IMG_8606IMG_8603One of the greatest pleasures of spending time in France is the weekly visit to the market.  One of my favorite is in Issoire, a beautiful little town, whose past goes back to Roman times.
On market day, vendors put up their stalls along the winding roads that lead through the old part of town and display their products.
Though prices in France can sometimes seem astronomical, especially given the unfavorable exchange rate, I always found that food prices are still rather reasonable here. And the quality is simply amazing.  I think the French are just more demanding when it comes to produce and would not hesitate to complain come next market day if their melons or their tomatoes were flavorless.

Our baskets full of sausages, bread and cheese, we headed back to our village on top of the hill and proceeded to have a nice lunch.  Followed by a nice rest.  The neighbor's cat, Caramel, obviously though that was a great idea.

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Market Day In Issoire

Market Day In Issoire

IMG_8600IMG_8587IMG_8607IMG_8602IMG_8581IMG_8590IMG_8592IMG_8584IMG_8583IMG_8589IMG_8608IMG_8598IMG_8580IMG_8605IMG_8606IMG_8603One of the greatest pleasures of spending time in France is the weekly visit to the market.  One of my favorite is in Issoire, a beautiful little town, whose past goes back to Roman times.
On market day, vendors put up their stalls along the winding roads that lead through the old part of town and display their products.
Though prices in France can sometimes seem astronomical, especially given the unfavorable exchange rate, I always found that food prices are still rather reasonable here. And the quality is simply amazing.  I think the French are just more demanding when it comes to produce and would not hesitate to complain come next market day if their melons or their tomatoes were flavorless.

Our baskets full of sausages, bread and cheese, we headed back to our village on top of the hill and proceeded to have a nice lunch.  Followed by a nice rest.  The neighbor's cat, Caramel, obviously though that was a great idea.

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