We awakened from our best night’s sleep so far to a little extra chill in the air that hadn’t been present the previous days. Then, it had seemed just like summer but, now on October 1st, there was a feeling of autumn wafting in the air. Before the day was over, changeable weather would make it feel like summer all over again as well as Spring.

We met Sabine downstairs in the dining room of our inn and over another delicious host-prepared breakfast shared some final thoughts and conversation with her before she would have to leave. It was time together that was much appreciated by us all and we left her hoping it wouldn’t be too long before we would see each other again.

It was a little too cool this morning to eat in the garden so our hosts Lisa and Richard set up a wonderful breakfast in the dining room.
It’s not just the clothes that are stylish in France. As she waves good-bye, Sabine’s new DS Crossback Opera (built by Citroën) would really stand out among cars in the U.S. – in a good way we think!

After saying good-bye, we prepared to leave on a driving loop that Sabine had suggested for us. While we love being in and around Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, we wanted to explore some other parts of the region while here. Our first stop was another medieval town about 20 minutes north called Caylus. Once out of the car there, we realized we should have worn shorts because the temperatures had heated up to about eighty-six degrees.

Plane trees and a two-lane road … pretty typical scene in this part of France.
Arriving in Caylus
Clint in the very quiet streets of Caylus
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Caylus
Ryan on the steps of the église

From Caylus we drove further north along a river valley and then up a winding road with hairpin curves to arrive on a bluff overlooking the valley in which we had just been. A tiny, old, village named Lacapelle-Livron perched along the rim of the bluff along with its 183 residents, according to a sign. For such a small community it had several very interesting sights. The hot weather persisted here as we walked on foot around the village and viewed its attractions.

Commandery of the Templars of Lacapelle-Livron built in the 1200s.
Looking out from the village over the rolling hillsides
Flags across the country have been lowered or tied back with black fabric in honor of the passing of former Prime Minister Jacques Chirac.
Chapelle Notre Dame de Grâces sits on the edge of a high hill. Here, on approach, it appears mostly to just be alone in a field.
Built during the 1400s as a private chapel and burial site for the landowner and his family.
The chapelle is pretty exposed on the hill and spiders have taken to the stained glass windows for their web-building.
A rather uninviting set of kneelers. We wondered for how long they have been used?

Back in the car, we retraced our path down to the river valley below and crossed over the river to head up another steep and winding road to higher ground to the east. Soon we were at another small village known as a sister village to the one we had just come from. It is known as Saint Peyronis and appeared even smaller than the first. The countryside was beautiful but no real attractions to see so we drove slowly through it without stopping.

We passed these cattle on the way between the two villages.
A small cemetery in Saint Peyronis

Our final stop on this driving loop was to be the town of Najac. Despite Sabine having told us about the itinerary she was suggesting, we were totally unprepared for the spectacular setting that awaited us. As we approached it from a distance, it felt like we were transported back to the middle ages and seeing things with eyes from that time. A large medieval castle was perched atop the highest hill in the area with flags flying from its tower. The village was spread out to one side of the castle straddling the spine of the same, long ridge but lower than the castle’s siting. It was an impressive view from a distance but just as inspiring once we arrived at the village itself. It is another must-see for people visiting this part of France.

The village of Najac, as seen on the approach to it. It runs along the spine of the hills and its castle tops the tallest hill.
Storybook quality
The castle from another angle
Timeless
It is definitely an impressive structure!
Village homes, as seen from the castle tower
More of the village with a quite stately looking home at the upper right.
We caught our breaths at the top of the tower after climbing the 120 steps to the top.
The views from the castle tower did not disappoint.
A collection of castle snaps.
Back on ground, the views were no less spectacular.
The street winds its way away from (or to) Najac’s castle.
Some more “contemporary” scenes at Najac.

While in Najac, dark clouds started rolling in and there was an obvious threat of thunderstorms. Instead, we only got sporadic showers but the temperature seemed to drop quickly. The winds blew strongly on this exposed hill top and the seemingly summer weather was erased quickly. Now we were glad we had worn long pants and brought rain jackets too. We sat out a final rain shower in the large gazebo on the village square before descending multiple series of stairs to get back to our car parked down below.

We grabbed some refreshments here and had a pleasant chat with the shopkeeper while we waited for the rain to pass.
In the gazebo, we rested and waited for the sun to return … which it did!

Arriving back in SANV, we were able to park and walk the narrow streets back to La Residence just before the skies opened up and dumped heavy rain. It was nice to be in the comfort of our room watching the rain pour outside our windows rather than be in it. For dinner we went to a nearby restaurant with seating mostly on an outdoor terrace. Fortunately we were able to find a table with an umbrella over it which had kept it and the chairs dry. We sat there as the meal played out and the sky darkened and talked about our love of France, this particular town that was new to us both yet somehow comfortable and appealing as if we were made for it, and why we would be sad to leave it tomorrow. It will most likely not be the last time we visit Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val!

Rain pouring down, as seen from our room at La Résidence B&B in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val