Abbaye de Cadouin



There are many plant and flower fairs held at this time of the year in this part of the Dordogne. As ever they're great social events and take place in simply beautiful towns and villages.

The final Marché Aux Fleurs of the season is held around the impressive Abbey at Cadouin. The Romanesque church was consecrated in 1154 and exudes a twelfth-century Cistercian spirituality. The cloisters, built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, provide a magnificent example of flamboyant Gothic architecture.

The Abbey at Cadouin is registered on UNESCO’s World Inheritance list under the heading of Compostelle Paths in France.



Karen and I arrived early that morning as we've a a 1001 things to do at this time of year (our first guests arrive this week) yet we didn't want to miss out on this one.



There were stalls everywhere, under the covered market square, through narrow back streets, the fair just meandered through the ancient lanes.




I'm always taken with the French obsession with Perlagoniums. I'm not the biggest fan although occasionally I'll come across one which I really appreciate. That said, the fact is that this is the biggest selling 'bedding' plant here by a country mile.



The atmosphere was just so relaxed. The speaker system which was rigged up around town played Jazz the whole time. Seriously folks, I was looking at some beautiful Meilland roses whilst being serenaded by the lilting tones of Ellis Regina singing Triste.


Comments

  1. Great photos. We've been over in France and stumbled across markets like these in our travels. Never been in your neck of the woods however. That will have to be remedied!

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  2. Rob,

    Fantastic photos from our favorite country! Thanks for taking the time to share these with us given your busy B&B schedule.

    Richard and I just returned from our week in Paris and we're already thinking of going back to France again next year -- just to make it three years in a row!

    Your photos are so representative of the flower markets, but what a setting around the Abbaye! WOW

    The Marche aux Fleurs (6 days a week) in Paris was just one block from our apartment on Ile de la Cite.

    Cameron

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  3. Jim, the Dordogne is certainly a special 'neck of the woods',

    Cameron, I'm so glad you enjoyed your vacation (see how I don't say holiday).
    Three years in a row makes sense to me. Heck, we moved here!

    I look forward to your coming post(s).

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  4. I would be at these markets every free day I had. The combination of the flowers the beautiful buildings and just knowing I was in France would be the best feeling. I've only been there once, many years ago, before I knew how much I loved gardening. I'd love to go back now and enjoy France in a whole different way.
    Thanks for the tour!

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  5. This looks so relaxed and chilled out and yet totally fascinating too. Wish I could be there!!

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  6. What an awesome setting Rob. You forgot to tell us whether you made any purchases :)

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  7. What an awesome setting Rob. You forgot to tell us whether you made any purchases :)

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  8. I would need to justify purchasing something....anything! Good luck with the guests! Looking forward to being one of those guests some time soon!

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  9. Hi Rob, how charming! The thought of looking at plants, a favorite pastime, in that settings, with that music, it is all too much! But, what did you buy?
    Frances

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  10. The only plant I bought this time round was a young Cayenne chilli. I usually grow a few chillis in pots but forgot to sow any this year. Apart from being slightly addicted to a chilli 'kick' I love how they look when the fruit ripens.

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  11. paradise. I often have jazz on in my classroom.

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  12. The combination of the flowers and the setting is just incredible.

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  13. Oh how exciting--guest! I hope you have a successful season.

    Your photos make it look like fun and how lucky you are to have seen it. I walk around in my backyard and listen to the local ramblings--is that the same?

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  14. Fantastic market Rob. You'll be broke! What a great place to buy from.

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  15. Hi Rob, great post as usual! Do you realise that you are totally responsible for us booked a holiday in the Dordogne?!!!

    Looking forward to meeting up with you in July - hopew the markets are still as good! :)

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  16. It looks fantastic - I wish I were there!

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  17. Rob, how fortunate you are to be able to enjoy these markets and their 'ambience'! I wish I were there, too;-) I miss the 'quaint-ness' of little villages and markets in Europe; it's so fast-paced here, no one takes time to slow down!! Thanks;-)

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  18. What eye candy on display here :) Sounds like the perfect day.

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  19. Beautiful pics Rob, although it is a long way from Aus I will get there yet!

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