Armed with a tourist map, we headed off to explore this bastide a little further. We read that the village takes its name from Foy who was the daughter of one of the town’s aristocrats who died as a martyr at the age of 13 around 300AD, refusing to denounce her Catholicism.

There are very few remains of the original ramparts, but here was the best example including an old watchtower, one of four that had existed at one time. The rest were demolished in the 19thC to allow horse drawn carriages to travel along the streets.

Along the banks of the Dordogne River there is this relic of a once important citadel. The rest were demolished by Louis XIII. Don’t understand why.

After climbing these stairs, we arrived at the spot where previous flood levels we marked. It would have been pretty devastating.

FILLES DE LA FOI

This was established as a convent for girls by Louis XIV in 1686 – obviously a man ahead of his time. It became state property after the French Revolution, and eventually a Protestant school for boys. The designer of the Suez Canal lived in this village but I don’t think he was an ex student – he would be too young!

The Tower of the Knights Templar is to be believed to have been built in 1290.

The typical arcades around the original market square of a bastide. This is one of the widest we have seen on our tour of bastides.

Two buildings in the village have one of these “enobling turrets”, and they could only be built if a King said so,as a reward for services.

I am standing just below the little flat we are staying in. It is wonderful. But I think I have already said that.

Us enjoying a sample of the region’s finest from a nearby wine bar where we can use their wifi to do the blog!

PRONUNCIATION TIP 7

Wifi —> WIFFY

Finally, on our walk near the river, Michael thought he had found the next Dubboat!