You can't get to know everyone in a week or two, and you'll want to spend most of your time with family, partners, and guests, but part of the pleasure for many of our guests is saying "Bonjour", practicing a little French, and interacting with the folks who live and work in this lovely village.
Here's a partial list, courtesy of Ann Lokey, the godmother of the village, of many of the wonderful people who live and work in the village:
Neighbors
Ann Lokey-- hers is the place a few houses up on the right towards the ancient gate, with the big red arched-doorway, just past her iron-trellised garden. She visits mainly in Spring and Fall, and she's a tremendous resource, so find her and say hello if you can. (At other times, you'll usually find her friends or guests at her house).
Chantal Yzermans-- two houses to the the left of Ann's. Chantal is a dancer, an artist, and the organizer of the Surrealist festival occuring in September in the village. She is friendly, helpful, and speaks excellent English.
Sylvie Zade-Routier, lives with Chantal. An accomplished, fascinating French woman who speaks perfect English and spends half the year in Spain, and has a long family history with the village.
John and Denise, right across the street, often travelling, but say hello if you find them out in their garden. John's a top photographer, Denise an excellent artist.
Martine and Finn-- there's is the first house on the left as you first come through the Medieval gate. Martine is French, an artist (you can make an appointment to see her lovely work), and Finn is Danish and working on restoring an ancient ruin the family inherited nearby. Both are friendly and helpful.
Restaurateurs, Shopkeepers, and Friendly Citizens
(Restaurant ownership occasionally changes; new shops open up. Drop in an say hello to shopkeepers and artists in the village. And when you do your gift buying, please consider supporting some of the wonderful artists, artisans, and shopkeepers in the village. Spend at least a day or two wandering the village and visiting studios and shops. Some wonderful surprises await you).
Here's a partial list, courtesy of Ann Lokey, the godmother of the village, of many of the wonderful people who live and work in the village:
Neighbors
Ann Lokey-- hers is the place a few houses up on the right towards the ancient gate, with the big red arched-doorway, just past her iron-trellised garden. She visits mainly in Spring and Fall, and she's a tremendous resource, so find her and say hello if you can. (At other times, you'll usually find her friends or guests at her house).
Chantal Yzermans-- two houses to the the left of Ann's. Chantal is a dancer, an artist, and the organizer of the Surrealist festival occuring in September in the village. She is friendly, helpful, and speaks excellent English.
Sylvie Zade-Routier, lives with Chantal. An accomplished, fascinating French woman who speaks perfect English and spends half the year in Spain, and has a long family history with the village.
John and Denise, right across the street, often travelling, but say hello if you find them out in their garden. John's a top photographer, Denise an excellent artist.
Martine and Finn-- there's is the first house on the left as you first come through the Medieval gate. Martine is French, an artist (you can make an appointment to see her lovely work), and Finn is Danish and working on restoring an ancient ruin the family inherited nearby. Both are friendly and helpful.
Restaurateurs, Shopkeepers, and Friendly Citizens
(Restaurant ownership occasionally changes; new shops open up. Drop in an say hello to shopkeepers and artists in the village. And when you do your gift buying, please consider supporting some of the wonderful artists, artisans, and shopkeepers in the village. Spend at least a day or two wandering the village and visiting studios and shops. Some wonderful surprises await you).
- Marion who runs Auberge du Sombral. She is fluent in English and manages this excellent restaurant for lunches.
- Agnes and Rudolf have the jewelry shop, Ambre and Amethyst.
- Brigitte, who makes every hat in her shop, Arcane.
- Isabel in the shop adjacent & uphill from Blanc du Nil (she sells great purses, pottery and umbrellas).
- Sophie at Gaby, the shop across the street from Isabel’s for ice cream and waffles.
- Steven, owner and chef at the restaurant Le Cantou.
- Pierre Yves-- he drives the village maintenance truck, and keep the town running. Great guy, doesn't speak English, but a Bonjour will do fine.
- There are new owners of “Campings” (la plage)-- they've updated the restaurant by the beach, and the pizzas are delicious.
- Isabel who runs the boulangerie in Tour de Faure, just across the bridge and to the right a quarter mile. Open year-round, it's a pretty easy walk and an easier bike ride--they run out of butter croissants by about 10.
- The Proxi, a french 'convenience store' in Tour de Faure, exchanges gas bottles, sells fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, wine, milk, coffee, pasta, etc., and other household incidentals. Convenient indeed.
- Marie Agnes has a Brocante shop in Limogne where you can buy antique French linen sheets, lace and table cloths.
- Le Saint Cirq Gourmand at the very top of the village offers wonderful light fair for breakfast and lunch. You must try their fabulous apple pie.
- Fou d'Argil features beautiful sculptures utilitarian pieces and jewelry crafted by 10 local potters and ceramists from the southwest of France.