Being based in the commune of Larocal for ten days while we are looking after two beautiful poodles has allowed us to explore the villages around us. Many of them are very old and were once Bastides. Beaumont and Monpazier were built by the English, while the one we visited today was built by the French.

Villeréal (just over 10 km away) is located right in the North of the department of Lot-et-Garonne, on the border with the Dordogne department.

There were lots of English accents here today and the feel of this village was a little different to the others we have visited. Can’t really say how.

Michael tried to make friends with the local gendarmerie at the start of our walk around the centre of the town.

Typical of a bastide, the market square is in the middle and the church is off to the side.

This market had some different things for sale than we had seen before. For example:

Horse – in all sorts of cuts:

Tomatoes of all colours and sizes:

Plus flowers and goats cheese:

I was pleased as there was a secondhand clothing stall where each item was only €2 each. I did splurge on a few items.

We then decided to go to a café and try our new knowledge of ordering “deux grand crème”. We enjoyed our stop here and watched a very busy café / bar in action. People ordering wine and beer as well as the coffees.

On our way out of the village back to our car, Michael tried to make friends with some pet birds.

And then he spotted the boules playing field. At least 40 areas marked out for the locals to play one of their favourite games.