Saturday 28 July 2012

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

92 comments:

  1. How funny. It looks like a sleepy village, yet you found some really interesting characters on your tour!

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Red

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  2. Hello Diane:
    Oh what fun this all looks to be. Clearly not only the villagers here have great talent for producing such realistic models, but also a very special sense of humour.We have so enjoyed looking at your photographs which capture the mood of the place so well.

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  3. The 'persons' on this post are quite funny! :-)

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  4. Hi Diane
    We walked from Malleyrand to La Rochefoucauld and went through this lovely village. We loved the quirky characters along the roadside. They are such fun. Looks like the village has a great sense of humour xx

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  5. This must be a very jovial village, judging from the characters. Your pictures are so realistic that I feel like I really had a tour of the place. A very interesting and educational post Diane, thank you. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes too. A big hug, Francesca

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  6. hi diane, fun to see those characters in the village, i almost missed the net wire military man! Why are there so many this kind of characters in this village? is there a particular reason ?

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  7. Boye By Red , we saw almost nobody while we there, but then it is holiday time and most people are away. It was fun tho' walking around the little town. Diane

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  8. Jane and Lance, I have never seen a place like this before but I am sure this must be a fun village to live in. Have a good weekend Diane

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  9. JM they are funny but what a change from a plain village :) Diane

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  10. Kerry I am glad that you have seen this village, it is such fun. Hope all well there. Take care Diane xx

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  11. Francesca I can imagine it must be a fun village to live in. Everyone seems to have done their little bit. Diane

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  12. lena I have no idea why these images are around the village. My guess is that someone made one of the figures, and then the idea spread through the town but I do not know. Great fun though. Have a good weekend Diane

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  13. Thank you diane for sharing this fabulous village with us!

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  14. Cuisine de Provence glad you enjoyed, it was something quite different :) Keep well Diane

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  15. Sure is an interesting group of characters in this village. They must stay very busy keeping the place clean. At least when not tied to a post. ;)

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  16. Gaelyn, ha ha love your comment, how very true LOL. Diane

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  17. Love all the sculptures of various kinds. Makes everything so interesting. I like the church interior too. It's so neutral in colour and soothing.

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  18. Joyful I think they are all just wire netting bases with masks and clothes, very simple, but very effective. The church is gorgeous and so peaceful. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Diane

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  19. Just lovely!
    You caught me for a couple of seconds with the "gendarme" photo!
    I had to look twice to see that it was a doll! LOL!!
    They do that too in some villages of our "sud-ouest"!
    A lot of fun for everyone!
    Cheers and enjoy your Sunday, Diane!

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  20. Noushka I have to say we had a quick look at our speedometer when driving through LOL. It really was a fun town. Keep well Diane xx

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  21. This is a most delightful place, indeed!

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  22. Rosaria it must be a really fun town to live in. Keep well Diane

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  23. I too am impressed by the quality of the figures in this lovely village. I can certainly see why you felt it worth returning for a more leisurely look.

    Great pics and an interesting post.

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  24. That looks like such a fun wee village. It also is lovely - are all French villages as lovely as the ones you see?

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  25. Looks like you had a fun day - the stained glass window looks like another image of Jeane d'Arc you see throughout France.

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  26. VERY IMPRESSING INDEED DEAR DIANE. I LOVED THE VILLAGE. DID YOU EVER GET TO SEE ANY REAL PEOPLE?
    THE CHURCH IS AMAZING, I CAN IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE BUILDING, PROBABLY IT TOOK GENERATIONS TO FINISH IT, AND THEN THERE IS THE MEMORIAL, TO REMEMBER US THAT MANKIND CAN BE SO CREATIVE AS DESTRUCTIVE.

    THANKS FOR THE RIDE, I'VE ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH.

    TAKE CARE!

    PAMELA

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  27. Hello Diane. I love the whimsical in the French. What quirky little touches to what is no doubt a perfect village. Your photos are wonderful and good to have the watermark.

    Thanks for providing the link to your followers. As you can imagine, the post has been very popular.

    I have written my love story of the French bridge locks if you have the time and inclination to visit me...

    Denise

    pichetsinparis.blogspot.com

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  28. And the 'speed cop'. A little story. My husband is very tall and was dressed in a black leather coat and black jeans. We'd stopped to take photos of the gorgeous autumn colours near Chinon. The traffic was going very slowly, then I realised. The poor drivers thought my husband was using a speed camera on them, not just any old camera. We still laugh about the scare we gave them.

    Denise

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  29. Gaynor as you say the quality of the figures are excellent and they really make this a fun village. Glad you enjoyed. Have a good Sunday, Diane

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  30. Ellie I certainly do not pick and choose villages normally, they are all lovely. Some obviously are better than others and we have never seen such a fun town as this one before. Have a good Sunday Diane

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  31. Leon and Sue this was certainly a town with a difference, it was fun searching all the streets seeing where we could find another figure. The churches have very similar windows as you know. Take care and have a good week D & N

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  32. Pamela we did see a couple of people but it was very quiet. I think being holiday time many people are away with their children. Thanks for the kind comment. Take care Diane

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  33. What a fun village. This might be the most interesting village you've shown so far.

    Thanks for the link about copyright issues. I've saved it for future reference.
    Sam

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  34. What an interesting village. I can appreciate why want to visit again. Have a wonderful week ahead of you. Hugs.

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  35. Sam I am so pleased you enjoyed this post, the chances of another fun village like this I would guess is not going to happen in a hurry!

    Yes the copyright issues are quite important!! Diane

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  36. Quay Po Cooks thanks for the visit and the comment. This is such a fun town, we have never seen anything like this before. You have a great week as well. Diane

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  37. Great images Diane, you are quite a photo journalist.

    It was a little disconcerting to read your piece on copyrights. I contact people for their photos and mostly use old shots or free wikipedia shots that have no copyright issues. Still, I have accidently erased email permissions and worry about that now that I read that piece!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  38. Hi Diane .. what an amazing little spot in France .. it would be great if you could find out - the whys and wherefores ... totally fascinating and great that they are able to stay there.

    What a lovely day out - then lunch too .. fun! Cheers Hilary

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  39. lostpastremembered thanks for the kind comment.

    Sorry to worry you about the copyright issues but much better to be aware of what you can and cannot do!! Have a good week Diane

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  40. Hilary I am not sure that there is any reason for the town as it is. Just a fun place with lots of children judging by the quite large school. We would never find out, our French is somewhat limited!

    Lunch was brilliant and very affordable :-) Diane

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  41. I loved your village tour and was charmed by what you shared. I also appreciate the link you provided for us. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  42. Mary we so enjoyed walking around this little town.

    Yes the copyright issue is interesting to say the least of it. Have a good week, Diane

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  43. What a fun little village. We came across a village like that in Austria on one of our travels.

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  44. This is the most bizarre village that you have ever shown. I think that the people who live there must be happy and cheerful :)

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  45. The villagers obviously have a sense of humor and they have talent too. Is this a once a year exhibit or are these characters on display all year long?

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  46. Jay we did enjoy the day thanks for the comment. Have a good week Diane

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  47. backroadjournal it really was a fun village, having seen something similar I know you will appreciate this post. Take care Diane

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  48. Olga I agree that the residents must be a very happy group of people. They also take pride in the beautifully kept place, Have a great week Diane

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  49. Michel we have no idea if they are there all year or not. We will go there from time to time and check out what goes on. Maybe it is just during holiday time, but that seems odd as most people are away then. Fun town though and artistic people a you say. Diane

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  50. I think it is good that you put this copy right issue up here.. I use only own pictures (with a few exceptions of pictures I know the author of and ask his/her permission first)

    isn't the bogworld a dangerous one??

    what a funny village this Maurillac Le Franc !

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  51. Love to encounter whimsey especially when unexpected~FRance is such a charming country.

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  52. This is Belgium I also always use my own photos with rare exceptions. I will not bother even with the rare exception any more!
    I agree it is a funny little town but I would love to live there :) Diane

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  53. Taste of Beirut this was totally unexpected. I am not sure how having lived in the area for so long now how I have never been through this town before. It is suck fun and I am sure the people must have great sense of humours. Have a good week Diane

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  54. Merci beaucoup Diane de nous avoir fait apprécié ce magnifique village.Les personnages qui accueillent le visiteur sont vraiment originaux! Encore un joli coin de France que vous nous faîtes découvrir avec de belles photos et des commentaires très agréables.
    Bonne semaine à vous.

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  55. Grâce à toi je découvre des lieux surprenants en France. Thinks.
    A bientôt

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  56. Luci c'est un plaisir de vous montrer notre part de la France. Je suis heureux que vous appréciez. Bonne journée, Diane

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  57. Nous avons beaucoup aimé cette petite ville. Les résidents doivent être très heureux :) A bientôt. Diane

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  58. I agree. This is a fun and quirky village. They have everyone but a town drunk. Its probably better they didn;t do that one.

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  59. It looks such a neat and pretty village and what fun to decorate with these figures.
    Thanks for the link about copyright. It is silly but scary.

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  60. Ah Diane these pictures are rrally funny and beauty; especially I love the pictures of the church really nice! xx

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  61. Stephen you are right better not to do that one!. We find that in general the French (certainly in our area) do not drink that much. A glass of wine at lunch and a drink in the evening. The police are tight in drink and drive so most are very careful.
    Stay well. Diane

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  62. diane b yes the copyright has very tight rules it seems and it is expensive to overstep them!
    It was a lovely little town and we enjoyed strolling around. Keep well Diane

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  63. Gloria this little town has everything going for it. The lovely church, the fountain, the quirky street characters, and it is so clean and tidy. Keep well Diane

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  64. I'm glad you kept this as one long post, because it made so much sense that way! Lovely stonework in the cathedral, but I think the "citizens" you photographed were the prize attraction. I'm sure the children at that school love having their storybook characters about, too!

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  65. Marjie thanks for the kind comment. I would have loved to have lived in this town as a child, in fact I would not mind living there as an adult, the people there must be lots of fun. Keep well Diane

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  66. What a funny & beautiful little village. The church is stunning and I love how well kept the cemetery is.

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  67. Pam it is certainly something quite different. The whole village was immaculate, it was very impressive. Keep well Diane

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  68. Jay, glad you enjoyed. Take care Diane

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  69. I was saving this post to read when I knew I would have time to savour it, and I am so glad I did.

    What an amazing village with its extraordinary "residents". I like the pikeman myself!

    As always, I spent the longest time poring over the history, and the photos of the Church. The seventh Station of the Cross is quite beautiful even though it is always so sad.

    No need to apologise for the length of a post, when it is this good Diane.

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  70. Dolly I am glad that you enjoyed this post. I knew it would be the church and details that would hold your attention longest. Not being catholic I do not understand it as well as you. I always try to put in what details I can though for those that do.
    The 'residents really are fun and I am sure this must be a town with a great sense of humour.
    Hope all is well with you, have a good day Diane xx

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  71. I love all of the little animals but I think those mannequins would creep me out!

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  72. Diane, your posts' could never be too long. You take us to the most beautiful, interesting and fascinating places! What a treasure. <3

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  73. Sara Louise don't think they would if you saw them in real life, they actually quite amusing. I especially liked the farrier. The animals though are lots of fun and great for the kids. Keep well Diane

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  74. Ree so good to hear from you, I hope that all is well with you and the family.
    This really is a little town with a difference. I am sure Daph never saw places like this in the big city :-)
    Have a good day and take care Diane x

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    1. Diane,

      I'm sure he hasn't. I know his mother took him to the south of France for the summer. And he lived in and around Paris, but I don't think he has seen the whole of France. We're making plans to take the baby for a summer once Daph's papers are settled here. Wish us luck! I'd sure love to finally be able to meet you one day. <3

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    2. Paris is a long way from us, but maybe you will also get to see some of the countryside and we will get a chance to meet, it would be great. Of course I wish you luck and I hope that you get Daph's papers sorted very soon. Keep well. Diane xx

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  75. Love the stations of the Cross in the church - this is a beautiful busy blog - take care

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  76. Oh this is a very entertaining place, love those "people" display! Thanks also for sharing the links, have gone to the site and learned a lot!

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  77. Mister D thanks for the visit and the comment. Glad you liked this post, the town is a bit different to the norm :-) Take care Diane

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  78. chubskulit glad you enjoyed this post. A perfect town for children I think. Diane

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  79. another fun tour and cool street art

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  80. Rebecca you are right it was a fun tour with some great artwork. Glad you enjoyed. Diane

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  81. Our local town of Maubourget also had 'people' dotted here and there, but nowhere near as many as those you saw. Loved the wire art as well. Am now looking at the pile of old wire discarded in an untidy heap in the Tall Barn in a different light! Also interesting was the link about the images. Always use my own on my blog, but have used imported images on my web site. I did post links up, but will make sure that I did it for all of them, or I might take them down and do my own stuff. It's probably about time I did anyway! Lovely post.

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    1. Vera I am looking forward to seeing what comes of your old wire lying around, could be interesting. Yes the copyright rules are worth keeping an eye on, who wants a hefty fine?? Have a great weekend. Diane

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  82. Diane, this is such an interesting place to visit. haha.... Actually, it is a bit scary.
    Kristy

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    1. Kristy it never struck either of as being scary while walking around here, maybe at night though!! Enjoy your day. Diane

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  83. I was just about to ask you if I can use your Gendarme pic, with credit of course, then I saw your comment about copyright, and the link to Denise Covey, I need to have a look around by blog, there may well be images I don't own, infact there is, I do a section on "Whats on" or "Coming soon where I use posters from events, I wonder how that would be interpreted? Anyway, Diane, can I use your Gendarme pic please, I will link it back to you.

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    1. You do not appear to have an email address on your profile so I cannot send you and email it seems. Yes you are welcome to use my gendarme photo, only a pleasure. Take care Diane

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  84. Also I use this http://www.tineye.com/ to search for my images, either no one nicks my stuff or it don't work LOL, but hav'n't found any copyright issues with anyone using my images.

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    1. I will have a look, interesting there is a link to check! Take care Diane

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