Time Forgot Here . . . .

[Helene Anderson]

. . . or at least it felt like it. A village called Exoudun in the Deux Sèvres (79) on a country road that leads to nowhere in particular. The road (the D307) passes through with the town rising high on the hills either side of the road. I stopped off for a few minutes.

Things must have been more active here once for there to have been a pizza restaurant.​

The restaurant was somewhat 'above' me, I had to go back a few metres down a small hill for the photo. The roads in the village are narrow. One can drive in the village but if another car comes from theother direction . . .

The harder part perhaps is turning a corner, my car being too long (and it is not a big car) to turn the corner in one go in parts.


An odd thought struck me, the houses are old, the village is old, if any of the properties need work how do the building materials arrive? I suppose logically transferred on to a smaller truck to move.

Main Road in the centre​

One thing here, there are a few of the old Michelin signs, indicating distances. André Michelin started signs in 1908. Between 1911 and 1914 30,000 enamelled plaques were offered to towns around France, each bearing the name Michelin, good publicity.

I would like to have the chance to go back when the weather is a bit brighter as the place does look a bit er. . . . . flat(?) at this time of year

 

[Asher Kelman]

. . . or at least it felt like it. A village called Exoudun in the Deux Sèvres (79) on a country road that leads to nowhere in particular. The road (the D307) passes through with the town rising high on the hills either side of the road. I stopped off for a few minutes.

Things must have been more active here once for there to have been a pizza restaurant.​

The restaurant was somewhat 'above' me, I had to go back a few metres down a small hill for the photo. The roads in the village are narrow. One can drive in the village but if another car comes from theother direction . . .

The harder part perhaps is turning a corner, my car being too long (and it is not a big car) to turn the corner in one go in parts.


An odd thought struck me, the houses are old, the village is old, if any of the properties need work how do the building materials arrive? I suppose logically transferred on to a smaller truck to move.

Main Road in the centre​

One thing here, there are a few of the old Michelin signs, indicating distances. André Michelin started signs in 1908. Between 1911 and 1914 30,000 enamelled plaques were offered to towns around France, each bearing the name Michelin, good publicity.

I would like to have the chance to go back when the weather is a bit brighter as the place does look a bit er. . . . . flat(?) at this time of year

Hélène,

It's so important that you didn't correct the leaning backwards of the buildings. That's so amazing to me, as it helps the underlying idea of going back in time. more later.

Asher

 

[Helene Anderson]

If I tired to 'straighten' the buildings I'd never be done as they lean in all directions, there is one in a hamlet that leans out over the passing (occasional) traffic.

 

[Bob Latham]

This little village has an excellent and informative website giving brief details of its history and the treasures to be found. http://www.exoudun.net/
It's well worth a spin through the picture gallery showing the "Lavoirs" and the old prison building to name but a few.
However......
Your wish to return when it's brighter! Might I suggest late Springtime before the flies wake up and before Monsieur Le Maire D'Exoudun makes his trip around the commune handing out swats to the resident population.
http://videos.tf1.fr/jt-13h/le-maire-d-exoudun-prend-la-mouche-5951165.html (you'll have to be patient during the 15 second advert, but it's worth it....only in France eh?)

All fascinating stuff Hélène.

Bob

 

[Helene Anderson]

La France profonde!

Despite the flies it looks worth another visit.