Jour 4 -- Livinhac le Haut to Figeac

My gîte in Livinhac, La Vita è Bella was a semi-donativo, with the dinner being the "donation" portion.  It had been an enjoyable evening as the Italian host was quite a character, and a fan of honky-tonk music among other things. The others in my gîte opted for an early breakfast,  so we were out of the door by 7:30 a.m. The day started off well, and, after losing my original walking companions, I walked with a French man whose wife was following him around in a camping car!

At the Chapel of Guirlande, I met up again with one of the couples that I had stayed with in Noailhac, who were traveling with a cart(!) that the man had attached to his waist. They has to take the bicycle route from time to time for obvious reasons. Some people even travel with mules, but I haven't run into any of them so far--just the occasional droppings.

Lunch was at a lovely gîte with picnic tables outside called La Grange de Bord. It was a popular spot among passing pilgrims, with lovely grounds, bathrooms and wifi.

I was completely exhausted by the time I reached Figeac, but  kind old man in his 80's and a long-time resident,  helped me find my gîte. Unfortunately, I was too tired to take advantage of really visiting the town.  According to one source, its history goes back well over a thousand years to the foundation of a Benedictine order, which gave rise to a settlement that grew and prospered along with the abbey. Apparently by the 13th-14th century, Figeac had become a thriving center of trade and commerce and with its wealthy families building many beautiful and ornate houses. Many of them had fallen into disrepair, but many had been transformed into other usages.  A bustling town today, definitely a town with history, and worth returning for a visit.

dinner at La Vita è Bella

Our host at the piano

 

frescoes in the romanesque St. Madeleine chapel

lunch at La Grange de Bord at covered picnic tables on the lovely grounds shown in the photo below

Figeac

Little treasures tucked away in Figeac

(Psalm 17) 1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;
… 5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have
not slipped. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O
God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. 7 Wondrously
show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek
refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Guard
me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your
wings hide me in the shadow of your wings…. 15 As for
me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I
awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.