Four more Collonges snapshots

Dans la rue à Collonges-la-Rouge

Collonges-la-Rouge, built of red sandstone, was founded in the 8th century, and some think that it might have been a Roman colony before that time. Here's a link to the English-language Wikipedia page about the village, if you want to read more about it.

Un des plus beaux villages de France

Thirty miles or so north of the little town of Bretenoux in the old Quercy province is one of the most striking plus beaux villages de France. It's built out of red rock. Have you been there? We drove through 20 years ago on out way home to Saint-Aignan after spending a few days in the Dordogne and Quercy areas. We had been there once before. It was a beautiful day. We had lunch at a restaurant with an outdoor terrace. I have more pictures.

Le château de Castelnau-Bretenoux

About 40 minutes by car from Rocamadour, and just 15 minutes from Autoire, stands what is probably the most impressive castle in the old Quercy province of southwestern France. Its name is Castelnau-Bretenoux [kass-tell-no bru-tuh-noo]. The Michelin Green Guide (for Périgord and Quercy) describes it as an énorme masse rouge and says its lacy stonework is de couleur sanguine. It was built starting in the 11th century. It is open to the public and owned by the French government. We didn't take the tour of the interior. Here's a link to Castelnau's web site.