Left Aubusson just after 9:00 having paid for a mean petit dejeuner at Les Lissiers, and, after an hour or so, stopped off at the Village of St Sauves D’Auverne for a butchers. Lovely place, in the foothills of the Centrale Massif, but too small for two inquisitive people for a whole day. After a brief walk around we headed South to see what turned up, really. Whilst driving we encountered a young deer crossing the road as elegant as you like. Eventually arrived at Bort – Les – Orgues , a town on the Dordogne which is famous for a man -made lake with a Hydro –Electric generating station. It’s a buzzy place with a cheap (€55) hotel so we decided to stay a couple of days to do some washing , etc. The hotel is very nice and we have a room overlooking the river (see photo). Did the usual tour of the town – the church was of the squat type predominant around these parts, but this one was enlivened by the addition of modern (1950’s – 60’s) stained glass windows. The lent the church a different, more optimistic light.
Later we ate at “La Mamma” an Italian/ French crossover restaurant: Tres bon at €35!
Second day at Bort-les-Orgues. Spent the whole morning shopping at Carrefour and La Poste (not really - joking). Reorganised ourselves and the car. After breakfast of croissants and jam, decided to visit the local chateau, a drive of 4 miles, by the side of a man made lake. Drove over the dam. Had a lovely lunch at the lakeside on a beautiful summer's day. Been a really lazy day and why not, no pressure to rush anywhere. Went to La Mamma again as food is very good and value for money - 31€ for bottle of wine, pizza, tagliatelle and carpaccio of beef. While we were there it threw it down with rain - stair rods! Plenty of people to keep us amused in the restaurant including a French guy eating his gizzards. Went back to hotel and watched the French equivalent of You've been Framed before drifing off to sleep
Barnaby at Bort
View from our room at Central Hotel
Chateau de Val, Bort
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