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Welcome to Folkes Photography

France

The following photographs comprise of a series that we took while on a Headwater walking holiday by the Creuse river in central France, back in 2003. It is a region of exceptional beauty and tranquillity and is famous for Monet’s painting of the confluence of the Creuse and Petit Creuse rivers. Situated not far north of Limoges, the area was of strategic importance during the One Hundred Years War, and the ruins of the castle at Crozant feature in the pictures below.
Dun le Palestel to Fresselines
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
Typically French - even if it is a garden shed. This was a couple of miles out of Dun-le-Palestel, before we got to the river.
La Creuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
Our first sight of the 'La Creuse'. This shot is looking upstream.
La Creuse
Taken by Chaz on 2003-06-21
Chaz takes three good shots a year - this (he claims) is one of them. Just before we got to the bridge, this handy sign reminded us where we were.
La Creuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
Looking down from the bridge (about forty foot above the river) downstream towards the weir and some disused mill buildings.
La Creuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
We stopped for a paddle here. This is looking downstream from a nice warm rock in the middle of a nice cool river. Bliss.
Outside Fresselines
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
Beautiful cloud formations in the sky above the road to Fresselines. It was near 40 degrees by this point and we were both beginning to wilt.
Confolent
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
Confolent - our home for two nights. This beautiful farm house is now owned by the wonderful Danielle; artist, writer and cook.
Confolent
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
Another shot of the farm. Danielle's gallery is in the barn on the left.
Confolent
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-21
The barn door. Hung at a reassuring right angle.
Confolent
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-22
Confolent again. This window looked onto the yard from the dining room.
Confolent
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-22
One last shot of Confolent. This is another out-building that we assume is let at some point during the tourist season. Taken by Jo on
Confluence des Creuses
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-22
The Confluence of the Petite Cruese and Creuse rivers.
Petite Creuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-22
The Petite Creuse - looking downstream. We went for a swim of sorts around here. The water isn't actually deep enough for the front crawl.
La Sedelle
Taken by Chaz on 2003-06-23
Looking upstream along La Sedelle. This small river joins the lake formed by La Creuse at Crozant.
Crozant
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-23
The ruins at Crozant viewed from below where La Sedelle flows into the lake.
Crozant
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-23
The ruins at Crozant from Crozant itself. The castle was never taken - it fell into ruins during an earthquake in the C16.
La Sedelle
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-23
Looking down at La Sedelle from the ruins.
Hotel du Lac
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-23
Our hotel is just visible at the back of this shot, past the bridge. Despite the best efforts of the weather, the view is still impressive from here.
Crozant - Rochers-de-la-Fileuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-24
Just up the hill on the way to Rochers-de-la-Fileuse is this strange Dali-esque sculpture.
Crozant - Rochers-de-la-Fileuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-24
The ruins at Crozant from Rochers-de-la-Fileuse. This shot gives a good impression of how impregnable this castle was. La Sedalle joins the lake on the other side of the castle headland.
Crozant - Rochers-de-la-Fileuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-24
Another shot of the ruins from Rochers-de-la-Fileuse, this time zooming in on La Tour du Renard.
Crozant - Rochers-de-la-Fileuse
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-24
Another sculpture, this time in a Central American style. There were stone/cement sculptures and carvings all over the cliff tops opposite the castle.
Crozant - Bridge
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-25
One last photo from the hotel. This is the bridge, blown up in 1944 and rebuilt in the 50s, and another view of the castle.
Crozant - La Sedelle
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-25
From the top of the hill in Crozant. The La Sedelle side of the lake can be seen to the left of the picture.
Crozant - the lake
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-25
Once again, the ruins and the lake. The lake was formed when a dam was built at Éguzon, upriver.
Crozant
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-25
From the side of the hill near the church, the ruins at Crozant.
Crozant
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-25
One last shot, then we left.
Clouds
Taken by Jo on 2003-06-25
We saw this strange cloud formation in the sky above the appropriately named Les Bieres... However, no alcohol had been consumed by this point in the day.
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