This morning over breakfast, I asked the other couple staying at the bed and breakfast overnight about their plans for the day. It seems they came to Lombez overnight from La Rochelle, to go to the fois gras market in Samatan, 2 km down the road. Seemed a good idea for us to go too! Samatan was teaming with vendors, everything from mattresses to fruits and vegetables to underwear to winter coats. Thousands of people were at the market with their market baskets and everyone was buying all kinds of things. We got apples, grapes, and more patisseries.
Across the river in Samatan, were two large market halls, so we went to check them out. First we went in the hall with live chickens, ducks, pheasants, and other birds. Farmers were trying to sell their animals, with everyone having a great time. We walked all around, then outside to check out the other large hall. Hundreds of people were gathering in front of the doorways, chatting, smiling, enjoying a beautiful morning. At 10 a.m. sharp a whistle blew, the doors opened, and we all flowed inside. There were thousands of dead, skinned geese (and ducks) everywhere, displayed in an orderly manner. The farmers were making deals and the buyers would take their purchases to a scale, then to the checkout. I've never seen anything like this fois gras market!
After a couple of hours at the fois gras market, we got back on the road south toward the Pyrenees. We were so close that they were visible all day. Rolling hills joined a large valley rolling up into the foothills of the Pyrenees. Our first stop was at St. Bertrand de Comminges, with its cathedral and cloisters high on a hill. We drove on to St. Gaudens for lunch. It was such a beautiful day, we ate on the patio of a restaurant adjacent to the large centre ville cathedral.
Our next stop was in St. Lizier, where the cathedral was started in the 1100's with a beautiful cloister adjacent. We walked to the top of the town to the Bishop's Palace for a terrific view of the Pyrenees. We are staying in St. Girons, 1 km from St. Lizier. We are staying in the Chateau de Beauregard, a former chateau turned hotel. Tonight is their last night open until spring, so we have the chateau to ourselves.
Such a fun day we've had! And we've experienced a fois gras market!
