Views, color and character converge in Loubressac

Loubressac's war memorial is located in a shady central plaza.

Enticed by history, architecture, gardens or views, I have visited more small villages than I can count in my five years living in France. When the weather is fine, I'll map out a route and we'll take a drive to the far reaches of our area, usually stopping in three or four villages and returning home in time for dinner. We are delighted most of the time, receive a history lesson much of the time and are rarely disappointed as we explore small destinations in and near the Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne and Gironde departments.

Antique tile roofs top medieval houses in Loubressac.

Our visit to Loubressac in the Dordogne valley is the last stop of our day trip to some small towns south of Brive-la-Gaillarde. The village is located on a cliff and offers panoramic views. The village is also notable for its flowers, and it is clear that residents carefully tend their window boxes and small gardens.

Visitors to Loubressac are awarded with panoramic views of the
Dordogne and Bave valleys.

Loubressac is notable as a floral village.

Although Loubressac was heavily damaged during the Hundred Years War, its medieval houses have been restored and maintained, along with its 12th-to-15th-century church, Église Saint-Jean-Baptise.

Carved stone adorns the entrance to Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Loubressac.

Colors brighten the interior of Église Saint-Jean-Baptise in Loubressac.

Sunshine is reflected through the stained-glass windows of
Église Saint-Jean-Baptise in Loubressac.

In addition to views of the Dordogne and Bave valleys, visitors to Loubressac can hike along paths that start in the village and end in neighboring towns. One such path, described in the book "The Official Guide to the Most Beautiful Villages of France," sounds especially interesting as it passes prehistoric dolmens on the way to the limestone Causse plateau.

A vintage car is parked at the Tourism Office in Loubressac.

Well landscaped, tidy stone cottages are a stand-out characteristic in the
village of Loubressac.

Loubressac is located in the Lot department about 55 km south of Brive-la-Gaillard. Combine a visit to Loubressac with Rocamadour (19 km), Collonges-la-Rouge (31 km), Gouffre de Padirac (5.5 km), or Château de Castelnau (5.5 km). For information, visit www.loubressac.fr.

Guided tours of Loubessac are offered by a local cultural
group. Call 05.65.33.81.36 to arrange a visit.

The Tour's in town

The bastide town of Eymet in the Dordogne department is the starting point
for today's leg of the 2017 Tour de France.

Today's leg of the 2017 Tour de France starts in Eymet, just 8 km from home. In the spirit of the occasion and to avoid traffic, we ride our bikes and arrive in plenty of time for the hoopla.

The Tour festivities are in full swing as the sponsors' swag mobiles cruise past.

Eymet is a lovely little bastide with a large British population. The village has been decked out for weeks in Tour colors and bicycle-themed art.

After the sponsors go by, the bikes arrive along with buses carrying the riders.

A Tour rider stops for a word with the road crew from the UAE team.

We frequently notice that things don't start on time in France, but the Tour de France is run like clockwork. Just after the sponsors' caravan is on its way, tour buses from Bergerac arrive with the riders, and cars with the bikes on top pull up right in front of where we're standing.

A Tour rider stops for a smile and to sign autographs
before the race.

This is the third time Ken and I have seen the Tour. If one watches along the route, there's a whole lot of waiting and then a few seconds of excitement as the riders pass by. Today's experience is much different and may be the only time we'll get to see the riders this close up. Some are cool enough to stop and sign autographs before the race begins.

A young Tour fan checks out the helicopter overhead.

A big-screen TV mounted on a big rig provides a closeup view of the festivities
before the race begins. Just to the right of the screen is a helicopter.

Riders descend a ramp as they are introduced prior to the start of the race.

We join our friends near the starting line and have a good view of the opening introductions on the big-screen TV. Then, just as the church bells strike 1 o'clock, the race begins ... swoosh!

A huddle of bike helmets indicates the riders are at the starting line.

And they're off.