The sign for the church in Ambazac
I did one entry on the church in Saint Sylvestre and by the time I finished going on about that church, I realized the post was long enough and I would leave the other two churches for another post. And this is that post.
The 13th century church in Ambazac - can you tell the time?
So after Saint Sylvestre, I headed to Ambazac. Only 5 km away. Amazac is a little larger town than Saint Sylvestre although ironically it is mostly populated by hairdressers of one sort or another and three grocery stores. But yet again, a very old church. The maze of one way streets can get you a little lost. But I do enjoy the 15 minute drive there.
A funky old building in the "Centre Ville" ... but it's for sale!
The medieval town of Ambazac, located a short distance from the regional capital of Limoges at the foot of a mountain of the same name, has a population of just 5000. It is visited, each year, by the Tour de France as well as an increasing number of foreign visitors.
I think this is picturesque in its antiquitous way - I made that word up
Ambazac is a picturesque market town revolving around the charming 13th Century Church. Inside I found two of the region’s most beautiful and precious relics, both dating from the 12th Century. One is a case that has been lavishly decorated with precious stones and intricately designed with enamel and copper and the other is a large garment made from silk and gold. And just ten kilometres north you’ll find one of France’s most important medieval sites, the Abbey of Grandmort. But I did not go there.
the bejeweled box
One thing about this region is the serene, rolling countryside which can impress anyone who enjoys spending time in the outdoors. And with the abundance of lakes there are lots of places in the warmer weather to take a dip.
Details of the ancient garment on display
After Ambazac, I headed in the other direction of Grandmont towards Razès, which is a small village in the heart of rural France, in the Haute-Vienne department of the Limousin region. Razès is definitely not the place for you if you are seeking big town entertainment and a life style that includes shopping ’til you drop and clubbing the night away. But if you prefer a friendly village atmosphere in beautiful, peaceful countryside then you may like to take a look at Razès.
An eerie site when I looked down the length of the church
From a real estate website they say, the village of Razès is straight from a chocolate box, with its shambolic rural buildings in soft sandstone colours and a pastoral idyll all around. Cattle graze lazily and time appears to have stood still for a hundred years or more.
Ah autumn, my colours, my beautiful fall
Many of the buildings in the village are of historical significance, and indeed Razès can claim a heritage dating back to Roman times. I found the attractive and interesting church, the Church of the Glorious Cross, which has a square tower built in the typical style of the Limousin. Another attractive feature of the village is the old bridge which spans the River Couze.
The ancient church in Razes
However, being Sunday, most things were closed, so after doing my tour of the churches I headed back to Grandmont for a relaxing evening.
Just another angle
Since you are looking for a place to live and you like to build/renovate, why don’t you buy that “funky old building”?!? Just a thought…..
One question: did you take a picture of that old bridge and forget to post it?
Would have been a total money pit. What bridge?
The one you mention in this post and which spans the river Couze…..sorry, but I happen to like bridges. 🙂
Oh sorry ,, forgot about that – me too but no I didn’t.