OUR LIFE IN CHALABRE: An American Expat in the South of France

JOUR DE FOIRE IN ESPEZEL (30 October 2005) Espezel is the largest town on the Plateau de Sault about 20 miles south of Chalabre towards the Pyrénées. (another site here). On 29-30 October, Espezel hosted its 28th Foire de l'Elevage et de l'Agriculture, basically a giant County Fair / Market place that took over the town, its old streets and the adjacent commons. En route to Espezel To go to Espezel, we traveled south to Puivert,then took a small, winding road that cut through the foothills, still dressed in their beautiful Autumnal colors. The road from Puivert to Espezel (north) The hamlet of L'Escale, nestled in the foothills The Pyrénées foothills, above L'Escale The road (south); JM to the right, looking at Beanie (left) The foothills of the Pyrénées. The road (north); autumn has arrived The road tunnels through the mountain   The foothills of the Pyrénées Espezel Up on the Plateau de Sault The streets of Espezel The Church The Calvary   The Town Hall Going to the Market... The "Farmers' Market" is open! The market stretches from the village's entrance... ...to the narrow city streets by the Town Hall Join us in our promenade... Stop at the cheese-maker... ...the baker... ...And its delicious breads! The Star-Spangled Banner is there The man sells sausages Another cheese-maker (with a mustache!) Let's buy flowers... ...fresh produce... ...Hams... ...Fritters made with Stinging Nettles... ...Local wines and pain d'épices... ...some of the delicious local potatoes!   Randy buys a liquor made with local herbs; Maggie prefers the hams Bring on the ranchers... Another section of the Fair, held on the local commons, featured a large selection of cattle, horses, etc. A (small) portion of the commons (the sheep pen); behind it, a display of farm machinery Baa... baa... Donkey rides for kids... Horses... More horses... Donkeys... Another sheep pen More horses Moo...