This French Life

A guide to Église Saint-Martin in Besse

THERE have been human settlements in Besse dating back possibly as far as the Prehistoric age, writes Carol Miers.

With iron ore in the ground and wood for charcoal from the nearby forests it later became important for the Celts. The history is partial but certainly when the Romans arrived, they built a road from Cahor to Perigueux. It is believed that a route went from Besse to meet it.

During the XI century a Benedictine Priory was built, as well as a castle which protected the Priory. The castle has gone, and only a small part of the nave of the original church remains and the west wall with its porch.

Mellow jazzy sounds from Trio Swing Guitar in Besse: 8 June

ENJOY an evening of jazzy swing in the atmospheric setting of the 11th Century church in Besse.

Trio Swing Guitar will be bringing their mellow sounds to the village on Friday 8 June from 20h30, with an entrance price of 10 euros (free for under 12s) and a drink offered after the concert to round off the evening.

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SWING GUITAR c'est trois musiciens qui se retrouvent autour de Django Reinhardt, Biréli Lagrène , Rosenberg et divers grands noms du jazz pour nous faire partager avec enthousiasme, jubilation et énergie le langage du jazz et de l’improvisation avec des thèmes inoubliables.

Pétanque competition in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 16 June

KEEN to brush up on your pointing or shooting; wondering what a cochonnet or mène are? Then polish up your boules and get along to Villefranche-du-Périgord in a couple of weeks.

The concours de pétanque will take place on Saturday 16 June from 19h with the competition open to all and it will operate with teams of two, costing 5 euros per person with a drink included.

A bar and snacks will be available, with the event taking place at the boulodrome in Villefranche-du-Périgord, which is found just off the D660 near the small pond in the village.

Oli & Ze Fuzz bring Rock 'n' Roll music to Loubejac

A NIGHT of Rock 'n' Roll music is on the menu at this weekend's Café L'Ecole at the salle des fêtes in Loubejac. On Saturday 2 June from 21h Oli & Ze Fuzz will be bringing some rock classics, as well as their own compositions, to the French countryside, and expect to be rocking on long into the night. There will be quieter things to do on Saturday afternoon (14h30) when for 8€ you can learn how to make an insect hotel, with all the materials supplied for you and the opportunity to head home with a place for the beasties tucked under your arm. On Friday 1 June you can head over for a chance to catch up with others from 18h, where a little aperitif and some light meals can be enjoyed.

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Vendredi 1er juin (18h-2h00) : reposez-vous un peu ! Passez nous voir et on vous offrira un moment tranquille et convivial avec plein de bonnes choses à déguster en jouant avec vos amis, ou vos nouveaux amis, ou sans jouer ! Faut être en forme pour samedi !! Samedi 2 juin. 14h30 : vous aimez la nature, le bricolage, la déco ? Ben on a un copain qui a fait une formation spéciale pour fabriquer des habitations sur mesure pour nos petits amis qui travaillent sous nos pieds (parfois). Pour 8 € vous avez la formation, les matériaux et vous repartez avec un hôtel sous le bras ! C'est tendance et c'est utile, ne ratez pas l'occasion ! 21h00 Vous avez aimé les histoires en patois ? Les joyeuses pitreries des Galapians ? Nous on a a-do-ré !! Mais, au Café, on aime bien que ça change, que ce ne soit pas toujours la même chanson ... Et là on change de planète, on sort les réacteurs à rock-pulsion ! On passe en mode électro-déchainé ! On s'offre la grande classe rien que pour nous ! On n'a pas peur d'affronter les kilowatts !! Il est connu de Los Angeles au Japon, il a joué avec des stars internationales, il est auteur compositeur interprète et guitariste depuis la grande époque de la scène rock ! Et comme, en plus, il habite tout près de chez nous et qu'il nous aime bien, il nous fait l'honneur de venir avec sa bande de musiciens : Oli Le Baron est parmi nous samedi 2 juin avec son groupe Oli & Ze Fuzz. ​Bien sûr qu'il fera beau !! et qu'on pourra passer cette soirée mémorable la tête sous les étoiles, et des étoiles plein la tête !! ​Il nous tarde !!!! Au programme :​ 60/70/90's Rock délivré avec énergie et passion ... Loud !!!! Compositions originales d'Oli le Baron + reprises adaptées (Bowie/Stones/Clash/Iggy & the Stooges/New York Dolls/Hendrix...)

 

Pavillon Bleu flags fly over cleanest beaches in France

IF you or your guests are heading to the beach this summer then check up on those who have won a prestigious Pavillon Bleu award.

The names of the cleanest beaches and marinas in France have been announced, giving them the right to fly the distinctive Pavillon Bleu flag over their facilities.

Each beach has passed a series of stringent tests and the award is widely recognised by communes as it is promoted amongst the tourism industry as a sign of quality.

The importance of being able to fly the Pavillon Bleu flag over their facilities is widely recognised by communes as it is promoted amongst the tourism industry as a sign of quality.

And don't think those who've received an award this year can now sit back and relax as the Pavillon Bleu officials will visit the different areas throughout the summer season.

Number of sanglier and deer that can be hunted in Dordogne agreed

THE Dordogne authorities and local hunting associations have agreed on the number of larger wild animals that can be hunted for the 2018/19 season.

Sud Ouest reports that a minimum of 12,250 sangliers and a maximum of 18,200 can be killed. While for deer the number is a minimum of 16,600 and a maximum of 18,300.

Notice has also been given for the actual chasse period for the winter with the main season opening on 9 September and closing on 28 February 2019.

The reason given by the authorities for requiring such large numbers of animals to be killed is that they damage local crops and woodland.

Vide grenier and music at Prats-du-Périgord fête: 2 & 3 June

A WEEKEND of music, fireworks and a vide grenier is on offer at the Prats-du-Périgord fête on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June.

The distinctive village will provide a stunning backdrop to the annual fête that opens with a meal, then musette music, fireworks and a disco long into the night.

On Sunday if you are a fan of looking out for a bargain then take a stroll around the vide grenier, or walk a little further and explore the village and the surrounding hills with a selection of short routes.

There will be a number of stalls and the chance to enjoy a bite to eat during the weekend, with the close of the fête at around 19h.

Weekend village fête in Saint Cernin de l'Herm: 8, 9 & 10 June

THREE days of festivities are set to take place in Saint Cernin de l'Herm as the village fête will be open to all over a busy weekend of fun.

On Friday 8 June the village will open the weekend with a roving bandas touring the streets from around 20h, with the chance to have a bite to eat, a drink and enjoy some of the small amusement stands. Then at 23h the disco music starts.

Saturday 9 June is the busiest day with a paella on offer as well as music long in to the night, and at 23h there will be a firework display with the village church as a back-drop.

On Sunday afternoon there will be a petanque competition as well as a musette music orchestra rounding off the weekend from 21h.

Tour du Périgord cycle race around the bastides

CYCLING fans should head to Villefranche-du-Périgord on Sunday 10 June, when a race through the bastides and woods of the area takes place.

The 22nd Tour du Périgord will see 150 cyclists take on a 154 km course around the local villages of Villefranche and Besse, as well as the challenging hills and sweeping bends of the area, giving you a chance to experience an afternoon of cycling action.

Teams from across France will be in competition and the last race in 2016 was undertaken in a strong wind, that saw the field stretched out as the battle for first place came to a climax.

This year's race starts at 13h15 from Villefranche-du-Périgord, with the finish expected to be around 17h and it forms part of the Coupe de France, Division Nationale 3 competition.

Here is a short video from 2016's race.

Evening of delights during La Nuit des Musées

THE annual Nuit des Musées takes place on Saturday 19 May with the promise of light shows, theatrical performances and public readings bringing a whole new life to exhibits.

Public buildings, museums and other institutions will be open to the public free of charge for an occasion that has gained a presence in many other European cities, but France will host the largest number of events.

The Nuit des Musées website allows you to search what's on by theme or by location, with all the regions offering something for interested visitors.