Carennac is a gem of a mediaeval village, overlooking the Dordogne's
Isle of Calypso (uninhabited and not for sale!) where
the gabare,
the HGV of the middle ages, were hauled up on the beach to clean
and repair -i.e. Careened.
One of the most beautiful villages of France (Les
Plus Beaux Villages de France), Carennac has been a draw
since the middle ages, rising to prominence and favour in the reign
of Louis X1V - the Kings' grandson was tutored here.
The Dordogne River valley and the hills around Carennac, are famous
for the growing of plums - the much lauded greengage-type, the Reine
Claude. In fact, there is a Fête de la Prune every
(early) August, which includes detailed instruction on how to distil
the juice from the ones you can't eat!
Check out the Henri II fireplace in the Maison Charlat and the
fine carved tympanum of the 16thC church, not to mention the Romanesque
Priory.
