This French Life

Country walks at the journée champêtre in Loubéjac: 21 May

THIS year's journée champêtre, or country fair, here in Loubejac takes place on Sunday 21 May.

The day starts at 9h with an eight or 13 km walk for the active with a registration fee of 3€, close on 100 people took part last year, with walkers setting off from beneath the church spire in Loubejac.

The fair will also feature a display of vintage tractors, equipment and classic cars, who will head off for a short trip to Villefranche-du-Périgord around mid-morning.

A mid-day meal is available priced at 17€ for adults and 10€ for children, and remember to bring along your own plates and cutlery to save on using plastic, throw away items.

The journée champêtre is organised by the comité des fêtes of Loubejac, and marks the start of a number of events in the village including a vide-grenier, farmers markets and a weekend fête featuring live music.

Theatre and the Blues with Café Associatif in Loubéjac: 5, 6 & 7 May

ACT up to your heart's content or listen to some Blues at the Café Associatif L'Ecole, in the salles des fêtes in Loubéjac, when it opens its doors on the first weekend of the month.

On Saturday 6 May from 14h there is a chance to take part in a theatre workshop, hosted by Laurenxa Renault of Théâtre De La Lune Rousse, that through play and performance promises to take you to new places and follow new directions.

However, places are limited and a reservation in advance is necessary, call 06 87 17 09 02 for more information.

In the evening the café welcomes back Geoffrey Lucky Pepper, who brings a mix of Blues and Rock and Roll with his one man band full of toe tapping tunes.

Geoffrey Lucky Pepper is set to start around 21h and it is free entry, whilst you will also be able to enjoy a selection of snacks and drinks as you shuffle your feet and dance along to the music.

On Friday 5 May the café is open in the evening from 18h for you to enjoy a chat and even bring along a musical instrument for am open mic session.

And especially for the result of the second round of the presidential elections on Sunday 7 May the café will be open between 10h and 21h for those casting their vote at the mairie, and for those keen to follow the count at 19h.

Sarlat set to welcome the Tour de France 2017

SARLAT is set to be a key point on the route of this year's Tour de France as it winds its way through the Dordogne on 11 July.

Sud Ouest reports that the popular tourist town will host three 'villages' for cycling fans to enjoy, including special features on the sport as well as local delicacies to savour.

It does mean that large areas of the town will be closed to cars on 11 July as the race goes through Sarlat, with the day's racing starting in Périgueux, and taking in the Dordogne valley, before coming to a climax at the finish line in Bergerac.

The Tour de France 2017 spends a rest day in Périgueux on 10 July, races through the département the next day and leaves the region from Eymet on 12 July as it heads down to Pau.

Frosty chill poses a risk to growers

THE frost is still to loosen its grip on this corner of the Dordogne, as Loubejac woke up after a chilly night.

The fields and low bushes were covered in a coat of frost this morning and in the woods the drip, drip, drip of the ice melting off the leaves could be heard as the sun slowly warmed the air.

For me it is a interesting sight, but for others dependent upon fruit and vegetable production steps have to be taken to protect valuable crops.

France Bleu Périgord reports on how tomato growers have closed up their tunnels in late afternoon to cocoon away their plants, while kiwi growers are ready to spray a fine mist over their fruits to create a coat of ice for protection.

And growers are sure to remain vigilant as we are still a couple of weeks away from the saints de glace, which this year is the 11, 12 and 13 May, that signify the last chance of icy temperatures and after which many will start planting softer fruits and vegetables.

Update: Fortes gelées dans le vignoble bordelais, les vignerons inquiets

French winemakers deploy candles, heaters and helicopters to save vines from frost

Villefranche-du-Périgord and local bastides to celebrate their long, long history

IT is a few months off, but one to consider if you have friends visiting this year, as Villefranche-du-Périgord and other bastides in the region celebrate their long history.

La Depeche reports that from 29 September to 1 October, Villefranche will join Monpazier, Monflanquin and Villeréal in marking the history of the villages but also their futures.

Talks will take place on how the bastides formed, tracing their origins to the Hundred Years' War, but also performers and artists will take visitors back to the days of the 13th Century.

More information will be published closer to the date, but for lovers of local history and tales of the bastides, it is one to make a note of in your diary.

South American rhythm from Sangria Gratuite in Besse: 20 May

THE song and dance of South America will mix with the music of France when Sangria Gratuite perform in Besse on Saturday 20 May.

Tickets are priced 10 euros, with tickets for children under 12 priced 5 euros and free entry for children under seven.

Cristal Disco will also ensure the music goes long into the night, against the backdrop of one of the ares's most enchanting villages.

Five deer in the low light of early evening

IT is never very easy to capture the deer local to Loubejac on camera, but when you spot five just off the road side in the low light of early evening you have to give it a try.

The last of the five had just sprung across the road in front of us as we drove along and quickly caught up with the others in the field.

One or two turned to look at us sat in the car before heading off and disappearing into the forest of chestnut and oak trees.

Loubejac, and France, steps into the unknown

LOUBEJAC went to the polls yesterday, like the rest of France, in the first round of the presidential election and like the rest of the country backed Emmanuel Macron.

But also like the rest of France, Marine Le Pen took second place in front of the two other leading figures in the race, Jean-Luc Mélenchon and François Fillon.

The count, or dépouillement, started on the chime of 19h from the church across the parking place of the mairie.

Squeezed into the small office of the mairie was the maire himself and a dozen other councillors, as well as around 20 local people sat on chairs and stood in the corridor as the individual envelopes from the ballot box were counted.

As the maire opened each envelope and took out the small piece of white paper bearing the name of the presidential candidate gaining a vote he read out the name in a clear voice.

Two forms were completed in tandem noting down each vote and slowly it became clear that Macron was beginning to gain more votes and stretch away from the others.

Twenty minutes later and the result was known, it was telephoned through to the French authorities after being signed off by all the councillors, and copies were produced for those present to see the number of votes for each candidate and the overall turnout.

The connection between the vote and the local people was the clearest sign to me of the importance of the dépouillement, the ballot box was not taken away and counted in a larger town.

The link between voting, the local mairie and ultimately the presidential election itself was clear to see and those in attendance, that included those who have voted many times as well as a first-time voter, wanted to ensure that connection remained strong.

Overall across France this election is like no other with the second round not featuring either of the two leading parties of the past, the Socialists and Republicans were clearly rejected, while Macron and Le Pen go head-to-head over the next two weeks before the second and final vote on 7 May.

Full results from communes across France are available here, and the image below shows the split across France of Macron's vote focused in urban areas, while Le Pen has gained a strong presence in agricultural regions.

Classic sounds of France from Joce in Campagnac-les-Quercy: 29 April

ENJOY some of the musical classics of France with the vocal/piano duo, Joce, set to perform at the salle des fêtes in Campagnac-les-Quercy on Saturday 29 April.

The concert starts at 21h and tickets are priced 10€, with free entry to those aged under 12.

Lack of rain in south west leads to worries over forest fire and drought

THE neighbouring département of Lot-et-Garonne has been placed on a high-risk of forest and vegetation fires due to the recent dry conditions.

It is a rare occurrence for April, but the region's fire personnel are on alert as the lack of rain, and high winds, has raised awareness of the potential risk.

Walking through the woods and along the paths around Loubejac today and the ground is very dry, with no sign of rain on the horizon and worries already being raised about the risks of drought this summer.

Environmental agencies in the south west of France have said that river levels are below their averages for this time of the year, with the Dordogne 30% down and the Vienne around 60% below the expected level.

Unless their is sustained rainfall over the next 30 to 45 days, some ares of the south west will experience a reduction in groundwater levels and face difficulties over the summer months.

Update:
Feux de forêt en Gironde : deux violents incendies jeudi, un foyer toujours en cours