What Are You Doing This 14th July?

Bastille Day. The day the French nation celebrates the uprising of the Paris mob which stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, in search of arms to wreak havoc and mischief.

But not all French remember this "red letter" date for that reason. A tiny and dwindling handful of very brave men, forever associated with St. Céré, remember it as the day the Second World War turned their lives, truly... upside down.

American Air Drop - Loubressac
For that is the day that the biggest ever Allied effort to assist the French Résistance happened... a massive parachute air-drop of arms. Some of these were dropped over Loubressac, by the United States Air Force 447th Bomb Group, to arm the local St. Céré Maquis... and a handful of very brave British SOE (Special Forces) officers who led the way.

Their story is well told in a recent feature article to be found on the English language website, French News Online and if you live in or around St. Céré it is well worth the read, as you will recognise the places mentioned, if not, perhaps, the names of the participants.

Henri Gambade, Legion-d'Honneur
Which is the reason for this piece. The major leading light of the local french Résistance, Henri Gambade, is now 90. On Wednesday 14th July, as usual, he will lead the simple ceremony of remembrance to commemorate the efforts of the very, very few. We know for a fact that he would be immensley proud and pleased if, at what has to be one of the last times he will be able to perform this adopted duty, as many British and American expats as possible could attend.

It won't take long and, you are all invited to a "cup of friendship/apero" at the Loubressac Salles des Fêtes afterwards.

Rendezvous on 14th July is at 17h.00 (5pm to you!) at the memorial plaque to Major Hiller and Captain Watney, two British SOE officers, parachuted into the area ahead of the American air drop. This can be found on the D20, Carennac to Miers Road. After that, just follow the convoy until it ends up at the Loubressac Salle de Fêtes.

For further information: Please contact Louise Butler* on telephone 05 65 23 62 77 or louise.butler@alsatis.net

* Louise is a part-time volunteer at the Musée de la résistance, de la déportation et de la libération du département du Lot in Cahors.

If you need a lift from St. Céré, - call me/e-mail me. Ed

Festival Time in St. Céré

St. Céré Music Festival
20th July to 14th August

St. Céré Music Festival
If you have been wondering at the influx of artistic looking types into St. Céré and the sudden coming alive of St. Céré Café Society... it's not just a result of the long awaited summer sunshine.

It's music festival time and the town is filling up with the cast, musicians and back stage artisans and technicians busily rehearsing their repertoires.

So what's on this year? Well, La Boheme is the Festival lead production, but if Puccini is not to your taste, then there is a wealth of productions to enjoy, some of which are F R E E !

Full Schedule of Events
To view a full programme of events, click the image below.

La Bohème is the headliner this year
Click the image above to pop-up a new window
to view the complete programme of events

Free Events
A feature of the St Céré Music Festival is the organisers "Off" programme... a series of free musical events staged at various venues in and around St. Céré. We publish here a schedule issued by the organisers, but, because of the long press-dates associated with brochure printing it is, as yet, incomplete... so expect more venues to be added as the festival preparations progress. But to start with, click the "Free" button below to pop-up a new window to view the Free events so far published.

Click to view schedule of free music events

Bookings

Prices for the various events range from 53€ to 17€... to free. For further details please see the festival official website (link below) or call in/phone the box-office in St. Céré, details below.

Online: You can now book tickets online, with the St. Céré Music Festival organisers, on their official website:
www.opera-eclate.com/

In-person: Tickets are on sale at the Théâtre de l'Usine, St. Céré. from Monday 5th July... Mon-Fri 10h.00 - 12h.30 and 14h.00 - 17h.30; Sat 10h.00 - 12h.30 and 14h.00 - 16h.00; Sun 10h.30-12h.30.

By Phone: (Hours as above): 05.65.38.28.08

La Marseillaise

We've noticed from our visitor statistics, that there have been a great many searches for our archived article on La Marseillaise. Many of you have downloaded the words to the French national anthem in English, have watched the famous Marseillaise film clip from Casablanca.

So, to make it easier for those of you searching for information and the English words to La Marsellaise, here is a convenient permanent link: click the flag

Click the French flag to view all we know about the French National Anthem -
La Maseillaise

Out and About

St. Denis de Martel

If you are driving the Vayrac to Martel road, take a break before tackling the switchbacks up the hill and have a refreshing one at the Les Voyageurs. It's right opposite the railway station and you've probably been driving straight past it for years.

Well next time don't. Park up in the railway car park and wander onto the Voyageurs shady terrace (apparently its a canopy of Kiwi fruit). You'll get a great welcome from the boys that run it.

Once you've ordered, ask for a sneak preview of the bedrooms. You see, Les Voyageurs is not just a café bar, nor is it just a restaurant ("Roasted" Camembert flambéed in Armagnac... has to be tried!), but a very elegant bed and breakfast as well.

As far as Chambres d'Hotes go, it has to be a cut above the rest... the rooms are superbly done in a very individual and très chic way.

Next time you meet someone off the Paris-Brive-Toulouse train... leave home early to squeeze in a visit.

Reservations: Tel: 05 65 32 46 15. Also, they have a website, some of which is in English:

www.lesvoyageursdulot.com

News

French News Online are inviting readers to send in photos or videos or news items. Could be a way for you to get a free bit of publicity, if you run a business in France, as they will link to your own website!

Run by expats, for expats, French News Online presents in-depth news stories on all things French... in English.

For more information, visit the French News Online "Beta" test website, by clicking this link.

The scroller above will halt as your mouse hovers over it. Then just click on a news item that is of interest, and a full version will open in a new window.

If you have a local news item you would like to see aired on the St. Céré website, please let us know. Use the e-mail form accessed by clicking the link below to send us your news item.

Househunting?
Looking for a village house? Don't fancy doing any renovation? Then you should take a look at this totally renovated (to a very high standard) house in Miers.

Click here to go to the Dordogne Valley Property Search sponsored page on this website, for full details of this stunning property.

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