As I meandered through the stunning French countryside, one observation captured my grumpy little heart – the ubiquity of the noble French rooster, or as the locals say, “le coq français”. This magnificent bird is not just a common sight around these parts; it’s also a national symbol of France, representing the country’s indomitable spirit and resilience. It’s not every day that you see a chicken take on such a profound meaning, eh?

Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on my journey so far. For 63 days I’ve been on the road, and I’ve covered a total of 1736.9 kilometers! I traversed through the cobbled streets of Cahors, soaked in the rustic charm of Gourdon, ambled around Terrasson-Lavilledieu, and now, I am here in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. And I must say, each city has added a unique color to the tapestry of my journey.

As a famous French saying goes, “Un kilomètre à pied, ça use les souliers”, which translates to “A kilometer on foot, that wears out your shoes.” Well, my dear friends, I might not have shoes to wear out, but I can assure you, each kilometer has been an adventure in its own right.

And speaking of the local language, I’m still in France, so no border crossing and no language changes. But don’t worry, I’m ever ready to put my multilingual skills to the test when the time comes.

In the spirit of keeping this post peppered with local pleasantries, here’s a little ditty I picked up from a friendly French troubadour:

“Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse, on y danse, Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse tous en rond.”

“On the bridge of Avignon, we dance there, we dance there, On the bridge of Avignon, we all dance in a circle.”

Until next time, mes amis, remember to keep dancing, keep exploring, and as the French say, “Vive la vie!” – “Long live life!”

Au revoir, until our paths cross again.

Firstly, Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is the birthplace of the delectable and world-renowned madeleines. Those heavenly little sponge cakes that are a staple of French cuisine. The local folks would say, “Il n’y a rien de mieux qu’une madeleine fraîche” (There’s nothing better than a fresh madeleine).

Secondly, the city is admired for its precious kaolin, a white clay, which contributed significantly to the creation of porcelain in Limoges. As the famous French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir once noted, “La beauté est dans les détails” (Beauty is in the details).

Ah, Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, une petite ville avec un grand cœur (a small town with a big heart). A place where every corner is a testament to its rich culture and history.