Jeudi, 9th Juillet. Nan & Rhiannon's last day here in the South West of France before heading off to Paris. Were we tired this morning? Yes, after staying up until 3 a.m. chatting....but it's off to Najac. Think of the fairytale story books you read when you were young, and that is the perfect d
escription of Najac. Actually, it's 
close, but probably even better. Built in the XII-XIII siècles (yes, I'm practicing my French)...it was breath-taking. Just south of 
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, the Aveyron river runs along the borders of the Rouergue and the Quercy, and further along, joins the Tarn river. There are sensational villages as you drive through the countryside (we saw many), and this is one of them. It stretches along a clifftop, and right along the highest point of town lies the ruins of a chateau. You can see the castle from anywhere in the village, and there is just one street that winds through the village up to the castle. For you history buffs, Alphonse de Poitiers incorporated a 12th centry castle into his fort in 1253. Further east lies the 13th century Gothic church of St-Jean-l'Evangéliste built by the Cathar community. Incredible and severe, it is stunning. The outside more than the inside. Highlights of the day? Walking to the castle through the village. the steep 
walk up, the panoramic views from the top, lunch at La Salamandre's, our buerre sucre crepe, and the terrace views. We won't forget the gorgeous drive to get to Najac through a stunning wooded forest behind the slowest hay bale truck, the slight detour to the wrong village with a similiar name, Tim the GPS guy who always sent us in circles, the stone & forested garages hanging off the cliffs, buying stamps for Nan & Rhiannon who were very impressed with my French, and the church. Oh yes, and we can't forget Rhiannon and Nan's first experience with a squat toilette! I was so proud of them!! Really, it was a majestic fairytale day - lots of laughter, smiles and walking. Stunning, quaint, magical, beautiful. It was our favorite place and the perfect way to spend our last day. Back at Le Manoir, we enjoyed lamb baked in hay for dinner, and a night of dancing (Go Rhiannon and Peter!) and listening to Orlando play the piano. It was an amazing visit and I'll treasure the memories of exploring the Tarn 
with Nan and Rhiannon!
escription of Najac. Actually, it's 
close, but probably even better. Built in the XII-XIII siècles (yes, I'm practicing my French)...it was breath-taking. Just south of 
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, the Aveyron river runs along the borders of the Rouergue and the Quercy, and further along, joins the Tarn river. There are sensational villages as you drive through the countryside (we saw many), and this is one of them. It stretches along a clifftop, and right along the highest point of town lies the ruins of a chateau. You can see the castle from anywhere in the village, and there is just one street that winds through the village up to the castle. For you history buffs, Alphonse de Poitiers incorporated a 12th centry castle into his fort in 1253. Further east lies the 13th century Gothic church of St-Jean-l'Evangéliste built by the Cathar community. Incredible and severe, it is stunning. The outside more than the inside. Highlights of the day? Walking to the castle through the village. the steep 
walk up, the panoramic views from the top, lunch at La Salamandre's, our buerre sucre crepe, and the terrace views. We won't forget the gorgeous drive to get to Najac through a stunning wooded forest behind the slowest hay bale truck, the slight detour to the wrong village with a similiar name, Tim the GPS guy who always sent us in circles, the stone & forested garages hanging off the cliffs, buying stamps for Nan & Rhiannon who were very impressed with my French, and the church. Oh yes, and we can't forget Rhiannon and Nan's first experience with a squat toilette! I was so proud of them!! Really, it was a majestic fairytale day - lots of laughter, smiles and walking. Stunning, quaint, magical, beautiful. It was our favorite place and the perfect way to spend our last day. Back at Le Manoir, we enjoyed lamb baked in hay for dinner, and a night of dancing (Go Rhiannon and Peter!) and listening to Orlando play the piano. It was an amazing visit and I'll treasure the memories of exploring the Tarn with Nan and Rhiannon! 
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