a Limoges, France!

So this last week or two have been quite amazing! My final arrival for this week was supposed to be Saint Yrieix-La-Perche... however I wanted to go further to Limoges, France!!

I did have to make a stop though, and a stop I made. I took the D901 all the way to Saint Yrieix La-Perche... almost 50 kilometers.

In St. Yrieix, I found many different very culturally diverse things to do (after all I am in another country, another world really). The town was small, about 8,000 people small and really reminded me of Mt. Home, Idaho.

While in St. Yrieix, I was able to learn about the saint that the town was named after: St. Yrieix. After learning about the influence of saints and such last week in class, i thought it was interesting, after I looked at a map, that many towns throughout France are named after saints.

Restuarant Plan d'eau Arielle was the restaurant where we tried probably THE most authentic crepes and red wines. It was delicious!!



I was kind of in a rush, so I had to get on my way! I went about 57 more kilometers North of St. Yrieix on to Limoges. I took the D704 all the way there. When I got there.... this is what I saw:


I arrived closer to bedtime.. but it was like I was walking into a movie!! I was so amazed to see how much life there can be in this city even at the time of bed!

I was able to eat at the restaurant in town that has the most raved reviews, Les Petits Ventres. Man was it a classy restaurant too, I probably showed up way under dressed.

I had the Fraise de porc, vinaigrette tiède à l’échalote. 

The last part of this trip i was able to actually go to the town hall... and WOW.  

 

the craft of this magnificent building was just amazing. I cant wait to see what brings next time!  

Next Stop: Brive-la-Gaillarde, France!

So this last week or so was very adventurous for my travels in France! Last week, I decided to travel to Brive-la-Gaillarde! Of course, though, as all my travels usually go, I just HAD to make a pit-stop.

First I traveled about 75 kilometers to the VERY small town of Saint-Julien-de-Lampon, France!


When I first entered the town, I did not expect it to be such a small town. The latest population toll was around 500 inhabitants---a number that is so unusual and remote for me, since I am from Southern California,in Riverside,  where probably an area of the city, a small area, is at least 500!

I saw so many old homes here, that it made me want to live there.


 I was able to enjoy the various different wines that this small town has to offer at a restaurant called "La Gabarre". I wasn't too hungry, so I just feasted on cheese and all the wine that they had to offer. Literally, their entire two page menu was FULL of different kinds of wines that you could try! Take a look at their menu online at : http://www.restaurantlagabarre.com/carte.htm

After my short adventure in St. Julien, I made full speed to Brive-la-Gaillarde! I took the D61 all the way to the city for about 52 kilometers! When I got there... I was amazed.



I HAD to stop here...literally! Not just because it looked amazing--but because it was the visitor center!! Here i was able to get information about places to stay and places to eat!

I stayed at Mercure Brive hotel... and man was it beautiful!



The rooms were so up-to-date and had a VERY classy feel to it. Something that I would not expect, especially because I was in a city that had a very interesting history.

This city only started to really grow around the 5th Century. During the Hundred Years' War, the city built walls around the city that completed blocked out any entrances other than the main entrances.

Well, the part I loved most about Brive... was the food. Man it was amazing! I had the privilege to eat at La Toupine... it was gorgeous and the food was so appropriate!

I had the fish... I wasn't quite sure what type of fish it was... but doesn't it look amazing!

 

I had such a great time this last week... I can't wait to see what travels bring next time!