Ode To Laguepie

We love Laguepie, a bold but true statement of fact. To our minds it is the real France with agriculteurs, commercants and lots of old happy french folk enjoying life. All keen to get you involved in occitane dancing lessons,occitane language groups,chorale groups and generally passing the time of day. When I say ' real' it is not 'twee' like Sarlat or Carcassonne both massively restored. It has a few empty houses that is true but in the ten years we have lived a stones throw away it has continued slowly to evolve, but in the right way. You can go in with your slippers on or your wellys and know an eye would not be batted. You can take your big,wet and smelly dogs and sit outside at one of the two cafes Chez Fifi or Troubador and watch 'the passegiata' any time of day. You are at the confluence of two beautiful rivers, the Viaur and the Aveyron with walks along the banks of both. The ruined castle of Laguepie stands proudly up above and unbeknown to most behind its facade are two beautiful semi detached houses.
Previously living in Henley -on -Thames the contrast between these two river towns is amazing. When we have Henley visitors we are so pleased when they feel the warmth and charm of Laguepie.
For the first time last summer the banks of the Viaur were covered in green plastic grass and a swimming platform put out in the river. Lifeguards were in attendance through the peak summer times and old and young, holiday makers and residents enjoyed the benefits of a 'Paris plage' situation. Our young grandaughter when here on holiday is constantly saying ' Lets go to Laga' where there are the delights of a shallow river with lots of stones for building or trapping tiddlers followed by a 'diabalo' at one of the cafes.[If you have Grandchildren you will know what a diabalo is! ]
Come to Laguepie on the last Sunday in April and witness the Festival of plants and flowers on view and on sale and tell me you do not love Laguepie.
Why the ode? Well reading a super blog on the area by writer Vanessa Couchman she describes Laguepie as 'not an attractive place with an air of decay about it.' and finds the worst possible house to take a picture of to illustrate her wildy wrong statement. All I can say is ' get your wellys on and see the other side of Laguepie Vanessa.'
http://vanessafrance.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/chestnut-fair-at-laguepie/

Read Vanessa's blog on the area called Life on the Lune.