Spectacular

Day 15 - Wednesday, 9 October 2024 - Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie to Marcilhac-sur-Célé. Easy day, ~18 klms, total ~306 klms

Mind you, those easy klms were a series of up/downs all day. Dave Whitson's guide book opens the day with the following overview:

While yesterday's walk offered an agreeable introduction to the Célé Valley, today's stage begins the highlight reel. It also marks a transition to some demanding terrain, with frequent ups-and-downs through the limestone cliffs. Indeed, the morning kicks off with a sharp ascent to the clifftop. The dramatic views of the valley below and opposing cliffs are to be savoured.

A pretty accurate description. As I think I'd mentioned previously, I run the risk of overdoing the superlatives. But apart from the light rain which materialised almost exactly as predicted at 3pm, there was nothing to fault the day.

It started with last night's dinner and then breakfast at Oltarcie. I rarely make commercial recommendations on this site, and I've resisted all suggestions by the site's host to monetise the site, but Oltarcie deserves special mention. Host Kerman was wonderful in all respects, and I'm very happy to recommend his (and wife Alice's) establishment. OK, commercial over ...

First stop, only a kilometre or so down the road, we stopped to explore Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie. The history of the village seems to go back to the 1100s, and the remaining buildings are quite magnificent.

And then at bit later from on high:

And of course a selfie:

Over coming hours the views of the Célé valley were, well, spectacular:

I know it looks like this is painted on, but it actually is 3D sitting against the cliff.

My last shots are of Marcilhac; the abbey and surrounds.

Check out the thickness of the rampart wall compared to the car parked alongside.

The three amigas ...