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'If you could boil down just about every daydream
you've ever had about French provincial life, it would end up looking like this' "Small-town living in Gascony" by Sean Newsom Sunday Times, 13 May 2007 |
The Village, Riscle, with its population of only 1200, boasts 6 café-bars/restaurants. All only a few minutes walk from the house! Choose from the stylishly upmarket Le Pigeoneau or for regional cuisine, Le Pont d'Arcole. If it's traditional French home cooking you're looking for, plump for L'Auberge, D'artagnan or Chez Domi and Mimi. If you simply must get in the car, there are 2 other great restaurants within a 5 minute drive - a different lunch option for every day of your holiday!
The main village boulangerie is run by husband and wife team Jean-Luc and Joelle who pride themselves not only on the range and quality of their bread, but on the patisserie they lovingly prepare every day of the week (except Monday when they take a well earned rest - then you walk to one of the other two local boulangeries).
There's Francis, the butcher whose wife Régine does scrumptious "traiteur" dishes (home-made ready meals) if you fancy eating in (without the need to cook). There's also a small supermarket run by the Barr's, a local family who pride themselves on their butcher counter, cheese selection and fresh fish on a Friday. And then of course there's the oyster-man who comes from the coast (sorry, did we mention we're foodies?). Thereafter, you've got a stunningly stylish flower-shop, a small clothes shop, a newsagent, a tabac, cashpoints and for those unforeseen problems, pharmacies, doctors and dentists…basically all you could want for that well-earned rest in rural France.
The village market is on a Friday morning and spills from the market hall right down into the main town square with its pretty fountain and imposing XI century church. Why not stop and sip a coffee in one of the café bars while you watch the world go by?
If you fancy a swim in the company of others, you could take a leisurely stroll to the newly refurbished village pool which is open in July and August. Or there are two lovely swimming lakes only a short drive away. In addition, the River Adour which runs through the village has many small, secluded river beaches which are great for picnics and total tranquillity. In the park you'll find peaceful and unspoilt river walks and picnic spots, as well as tennis, basketball and fishing. You could always hire some bikes if you fancy.
Also in the village is the Church of St Peter of Riscle. This classified historic monument of France dates way back, with questionable traces of IX century roots, but is certainly traceable back to the IX century. A typical gascon, gothic church it holds court over the whole village and is visible from virtually every corner. It holds an interesting and troubled history with the English - so beware!
At the local college, you'll find La Galerie Bleue, a gallery focusing largely on modern art which is open to the public both during and outside term time. Here you'll regularly find exhibitions by well-known international as well as French artists.
The village festival is held in early August and is a spectacular celebration for the whole family.
