Our house

Our house
Blue Heron Hill with Mount Baker in the background

Friday, September 28, 2012

We segué to Séguret, just for today

The hill town right near Sablet is Séguret, and it's been listed as one of the Plus Belles Villes de France (Prettiest Villages in France).  The village is also on the Côtes du Rhône wine road.  At Christmas the entire village becomes one big Nativity scene.


Séguret with castle ruins just barely visible at the top

We packed a picnic lunch and drove over to check it out.  At the very top of the hill sits the ruin of a castle, and we decided to hike up.  I had read that there are too many trees to see much from the very top, but  that there were some nice viewpoints on the way up.


View from the trail above Séguret

The hike up was on rocky trails.  Not too difficult, but we had to watch our steps, and it was a climb.  When we passed senior citizens in their church clothes coming down though, we thought better of complaining about it!

Rocky trail up to the castle ruins


No, this picture isn't on its side!  Rugged hillside around the village

At the top the castle ruins were a disappointment.  Only a few walls are left standing, and you can't really climb around on them.




One of the issues with old castles, forts, bridges and aqueducts is that once they aren't occupied or guarded the locals start carting the stone off for other building projects.  I'm thinking we'll probably see parts of the castle down in the village.  We just won't recognize them as such. 

The village was very picturesque - a photo op around every corner.

One of the entry gates to Séguret


Community washbasin or lavoir, gossip central

Another entry to the village


Cute


Single-handed clock dating from 1680


Linda standing next to what looks like an original gate


Tim and Rick walking down a village street

Branches of ancient plane trees (sycamores) trained and supported to form a canopy over the parking lot

Check out Michel's blog posts for lots more info about the food, wine and history of Séguret. 

We had a drink at one of the restaurants in the village, and headed home. 

Dinner tonight would be French onion soup.  It's really a winter dish, but it's been cool enough to enjoy it now.  The recipe called for a splash of cognac in the bottom of each bowl before adding the croutons, broth and cheese.  The cognac added a distinctive flavor, that's for sure!

Rick preparing French onion soup


The day ended with another pretty sky over the countryside

4 comments:

  1. Hey Brave Girl - You're getting some great shots from way up high. It's interesting to go back and see your picture of Seguret at night on your previous post.

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    1. You ain't seen nothin' yet, sis! In a few days we'll be walking along the side of the cliff in Villefranche, and that's a little scary!

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  2. I walk up to Seguret every few days and honestly those are some of the prettiest pictures of it I've ever seen. Just lovely!

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    1. mccardey - Thanks! We really enjoyed the village, and there were so many beautiful photos just waiting to be snapped. I'd love to see it at Christmas.

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