Marillac-le-Franc

Before I start, I apologise for the fact that this post is much longer than usual, but I did not want to omit anything, or split it into two posts.


A couple of weeks ago, we went to St Sornin for lunch. I have posted about the nearby Cave de St Sornin here.  Great little restaurant with a four course menu, wine included for €11 per head!!  As you can imagine, it is very popular, so you need to get there early.  I digress though, as this post is about Marillac-le-Franc,  through which we drove on the way home.  As we approached the outskirts, the first "person" we saw was this 'Gendarme', apparently watching us closely with his binoculars to see if we were speeding!

Further on, we encountered this elderly farrier on a road junction

We then turned a corner towards home, and there was a post lady thinking about her next post delivery!

We were so fascinated by these characters that we decided to return a few days later and have a good look around the beautiful, well kept village.  This time we arrived by a different route and our first point of interest was the village square and this lovely fountain, erected in 2003.

Presumably when the pump is switched on, the water runs out across the hand below, but while we were there, the water was just bubbling away merrily in the pond.

Behind the fountain is the X11th century church of Saint Didier

On leaving the Church and walking around, we saw a further number of interesting looking figures

Look closely and you can see a wire netting military figure guarding the gate; in his hands is a pikestaff.  You can  hopefully see his little circular nose sticking out below his hat!

Outside the village school, the hare and the tortoise are setting out for a race

 and a little further down the road, the hare is at top speed 

This chicken must be watching the race

 The wolf and a doggy Red Riding Hood going on a picnic perhaps

Outside the Mairie, a wolf hides around a corner

Meanwhile the tortoise has arrived at his destination, and the hare is not in sight!

Around another corner and this farmer is hard at work with his wire netting horse

Just on the edge of the town is the beautifully kept cemetery

 and of course, no village in France would be complete without its war memorial

Back at the immaculate town square once more

We discovered we had missed this swan, perched on a hedge

and the second weighbridge that we have seen in recent weeks, with this young man in charge

Finally leaving the village, this figure was there to see us on our way!!

What a fun and quirky village this is, with all the inhabitants obviously taking much pride in keeping the place immaculate, from the private gardens, to the streets and the central square.  The fountain, church, cemetery and war memorial are all so well cared for and a pleasure to see.  Well done to the citizens of Marillac - you have created a village to be proud of; we were very impressed.  

N.B.  Please read this link HERE; it concerns all of us who blog and it sets out VERY important copyright issues.   Thanks Denise for this information - who wants a $150,000 fine????!!!!

 

See also - My Life Before Charente updated  28 July 2012