Another Trip from La Matha

We had a week in La Matha at the end of October (half term week, although without children!).  We were joined by four friends, and had a thoroughly good time.  We ate very well - cooking a lot at the house, as well as the usual evening at La Terrasse and a really good lunch in Chai Pascal in St Emilion.

One day we decided to go out along the Dordogne towards Sarlat.  The first stop was Les Eyzies, which is near to where they have found the earliest remains of modern man.  We went for a nice walk along the valley in search of an image of a fish, but were disappointed in not finding the fish!  In the village, there is a visitor centre, called "Le Pôle international de la Préhistoire", which is in an amazing building.  The museum was a bit disappointing - we expected to be able to go around the houses which are nestling underneath and attached to the cliffs.

We had a great picnic lunch there, and then moved on to a very old chateau in the woods, visited 30 years ago by Toby and Sophie who were with us.  This is Chateau Commarque - a spectacular castle on the edge of a hill suddenly appearing out of the woods.

This castle is still being excavated, but it is so dramatic, looking across the valley at another Chateau.

This was really the highlight of the trip - you can climb all the way to the top of the tower, for an amazing view (the picture above of the neighbouring chateau is taken from there).

From Commarque, we went on to Sarlat - a very quaint town.  Beer/wine in the square, and then home for a late evening meal.