Music and Markets - - Following the Music

Saturday – market day in Vias. We wander through the rows of colorful stalls, quite a few less than during the busy summer months, when the market expands down lanes and around corners. I find some young spring artichokes in the market hall in the center of town for Monday nights dinner, and then we’re off running errands, to Beziers, the closest big town, before returning to enjoy a lunch of salade de chevre chaud (salad with goat cheese toasts) in the courtyard.
There are always chores to do when here, and this time we notice that the white trim has chipped and peeled on several spots on the exterior – most notably around the courtyard door. So Kirk scrapes it all off, smooths the rough stone and cement, and primes the surface, ready to paint tomorrow.
The first time we stayed in Vias (and ended up buying the bed and breakfast we stayed in!), in fall of 2003, we ate dinner at Le Vieux Logis, an ancient residence of the 13th century area bishop and the oldest building still standing in Vias. We’ve heard from people that have rented our house that there are new owners and a new chef, and have been wanting to try it out again. We’re seated right beside the massive basalt fireplace – a listed historical artifact so big we could sit inside it! Dinner is delicious and we enjoy chatting with the new owners.
Bon Dimanche!
Sunday we get up early enough for Kirk to paint the door surround before we drive back to Montpellier, meeting Vance, Patty and Mary Anne to go to church with them. This morning’s service includes a lot of participation from several people from Madagascar, some of whom regularly attend this protestant church. We enjoy the lively music and the colorful background which looks like Van Gogh olive trees.






After church we park near the beautiful Chateau d’Eau, an ornate and beautiful water tower near the oldest part of town.






We walk through the gardens and into the steep
cobbled lanes of old town. Le Petit Jardin is serving lunch in the garden today, and we choose a sunny spot, enjoying the warmth on a cool spring day.



Afterwards we stroll through the Jardin de Plantes, an historical monument of the city, some parts of which were planted and designed in the 1500’s.










One of the things we love about being in Europe is just LIVING in the midst of history. A Sunday afternoon walk in the midst of hundreds of years worth of beauty.