Trompe Souris

With just enough cloud cover to make the 27 degrees bearable, we ventured towards Airvault.  We quite possibly saw the smallest market in existence, but oh, such a beautiful setting in this arched medieval courtyard located smack in the centre of town. 

Artisan soap

Arched market in Airvault

The market is large enough to sell most regular fare and some specialties: fish, round zucchini balls (which I had never seen before), seasonal white asparagus, and wonderful artisan soaps which I just couldn't resist!  I bought Ylang-Ylang, Vanilla, Karité, Anis and Bourrache.

We then visited the old Abbey and its distinction is its "cylinder organ", which doesn't take up much space at all.  I once had a small jewelry box that I would wind up and a little ballerina would dance; that was a cylinder music box also. The air was musty and damp, stirring memories of ancient days.

Old Abbey

Cylinder Organ

By the time Karl finished his walkabout and I had explored the local bookstore, where I bought "7 ans après" by Guillaume Musso, it was time to have some lunch.  We headed to Luvay, a small town just a few km away, to the "Trompe Souris Café".  The name is very interesting in that it translates roughly to "Deceiving the Mice Café".   The restaurant's setting is an old mill, but there was never any grain ground in this mill.  They used it to grind other products which were not consumable, so when the rodents arrived, there was nothing to eat!

But we had lots to eat.  Chicken Parisienne and Chocolate Fondant for dessert, with a glass of wine to add to the enjoyment. 

Rushing water next to the mill

Karl enjoying the scenery

The setting was so very pleasant and tranquil, with the chatter of birds in the trees and ducks waddling on the shore.

Enjoying my dessert!