Cave Dining & Mysteries

Feb 13

After days of torrential downpours causing local flooding and rising rivers, topped off with furious winds, we decided on a change of scenery. Bucket list time! In a town just ten minutes from the Manor, we wandered into a quaint restaurant nestled into a troglodyte cave serving traditional rustic fouaces bread, galipettes (stuffed mushrooms cooked in a wood fire), and rillettes. In true French lunch style, our lovely two hour lunch included delicious courses served at a leisurely pace, wine, and a choice between two spectacular desserts. I was thrilled to try both the baked apple with Pommeau and vanilla ice cream (pomme cuite parfumee accompagnee de sa boule de glace vanille) and a delicate cream dessert with red berry glaze (cremet d’Anjou) because for some reason I don’t react to dairy in France!

After lunch, we went over to experience another Bucket List item: Le Mystère des Faluns. The cavern ceilings are 15-20 metres high and extend deep into the hillside. Filled within each individual chamber were artistic renditions of the prehistoric history of the area. 10 million years ago, this part of France was deeply submerged under the ocean. Over the eons, the oceans retreated and the shelly sandy sediment (falun) was dug out to make dwellings starting in the 18th century. Colorful glistening jellyfish float across the air, sea creatures make turns in the dark corners of the falun. As we rounded each bend, shadows from elephants, monkeys, and birds fell across the walls while the still air broke with quiet chirping of bugs and the rustling from lurking, unseen animals.

This quiet, cold season before Spring provided the gift of wandering empty caverns ….all to ourselves.