Espezel

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 2005, 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.

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.

Up on the Plateau de Sault... The streets of Espezel with its Church, Calvary and Town Hall...

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! There is a man selling 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... and some of the delicious local potatoes!

I bought 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... And donkey rides for kids... More horses... Donkeys... Another sheep pen... Moo...!