Sarlat, is a medieval town in the Dordogne department of Aquitaine in southwestern France. This beautiful town has developed around the large Benedictine Abbey of Carolingian origin. Sarlat Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church and former cathedral. This important national monument of France is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos.

Sarlat has miraculously remained preserved. It is one of the towns that is most representative of 14th century France. The town looks as if it has been frozen in time because of its restoration by resistance fighter and politician André Malraux, who, as Minister of Culture (1960–1969), restored many historical sites throughout France.

The old town center gives the appearance of an open air museum of immaculately restored stone buildings and is mainly pedestrianized. The towns’ breathtaking architecture, narrow pathways, passages and hidden courtyards combined with yellow and grey coloured stone could quickly become a large film set.

The recommended sites in Sarlat are St Sacerdos Cathedral, The Fountains Courtyard, Chapel of St Benoit, Jardin Des Enfeus, La Lanterne Des Morts, Le Presidial, Hotel De Gerard, St Mary’s Church and many more interesting sites. There are lots of things to see, explore and do in Sarlat.

HOW TO GET THERE

The most convenient way to get to Sarlat is to fly from London to Brive. Cityjet (0871 663 3777, www.cityjet.com ) flies direct from London City Airport to Brive. Ryanair (0871 246 0000, www.ryanair.com) will also run flights from London Stansted to Dordogne Valley from 2^nd April 2014.

Sarlat is only 39 km from The Brive Dordogne Valley Airport (www.aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com/en). You can get a taxi from the Airport to Sarlat.

If you are interested in sightseeing, it is useful to hire a car to drive around the Dordogne Valley countryside. Avis (www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (www.europcar.co.uk) and Hertz (www.hertz.co.uk) offer competitive rates.

WHERE TO STAY

If you are looking for budget accommodation, but wish to stay closer to the old town, the hotel Le Renoir (+33(0)5 53 59 35 98, www.hotel-renoir-sarlat.com) which is just 200 meters from the heart of Sarlat is a good choice. Parking is possible in adjacent streets, and the attractions are easily accessible on foot.

WHERE TO EAT

Le Bistro de l’Octroi (+33(0)5 53 30 83 40) is a convenient and popular restaurant, which offers a comprehensive menu of authentic regional dishes, cooked with true gastronomic passion at reasonable prices to satisfy your appetite.

There are so many other restaurants, brasseries and bistros in Sarlat, which give a wide choice to visitors for lunch or dinner.

SHOPPING

There are a variety of markets in Sarlat. They are held twice a week in the old town. The local food producers set up their stalls in andaround Place de la Liberte on Wednesday morning. The farmers come back again on Saturday and stay around Place de la Liberte until 1pm to market food products to locals and tourists.

There is also a market for general traders with a variety of goods along rue de la Republique for the entire day on Saturday. There is a good selection of other shops and boutiques, which are open weekdays.

If you’re staying for several days or weeks, a trip to do your grocery shopping in the nearby Lidl is a must. It’s also good to look in the souvenir shops for affordable gifts for friends and family back home.

SIGHTSEEING PLACES

The best nearby attractions around Sarlat include Manoir De Gisson, one of the most remarkable 13^th century buildings, Chateau De Puymartin constructed in 13^th century, Chateau De Fenelon constructed on a succession of rocky terraces.

The gardeners of Sarlat take great pride in the gardens that come under their care – even the roundabouts within the town are a work of art. The beautiful gardens around Sarlet include Jardins De Cadiot, spread over two hectares of terraces coloured with over 1500 variety of flowers, Jardins Du Manoir D’Eyrignac, kept in the same family for 22 generations, represent unique collection of sculptured bushes.

There is also the Reserve Zoologique De Calviac, devoted to saving species in danger.

CALENDER

Fete de la Truffe (Truffe Festival): It takes place 2^nd or 3^rd week in January. The town submits itself to the refined aromas of foie gras and the subtle of fragrances of the truffle. It includes cooking demonstration with a focus on Foie Gras and Truffles.

Fest’Oie (Geese Festival):  Sarlat celebrates its emblem with a goose fair on third Sunday in February. Fully grown geese march in the heart of the town. Market Stalls, farmers’ products, farm visits, culinary demonstrations, traditional games, entertainment and workshop activities for children. Traditional festivities, geese and fun are everywhere.

Journees Du Terrior:  It is held in the middle of May. In all the streets you will feel the festive atmosphere and organizations representing the best of Black Perigord agriculture will present numerous events and entertainment.

Sarlat Theatre Festival: One of the oldest theatre festivals in France with open air performances held in the heart of historic  Sarlat. It takes place from the second week in July to the first week of August.

The Tourist Office of Sarlat (www.sarlat-tourisme.com), can give directions to all the things to see and do in Sarlat and many more interesting places in the Dordogne Valley region. (Email Katia Veyret: k.veyret@sarlat-tourisme.com)

© 2014 www.amirinia.com

Eve Hostettler, 72 is the saviour of Isle of Dogs history. She keeps the story of people, docks and ships through images of the past alive. The life of people was dramatically changed by the blitz in World War II.

Eve, who did her BA and MA degrees in Essex University in history, talks about her passion to rediscover the spirit of a working class community which was the main hub and gateway to the city of London. She sacrificed her PhD and her life in Lincolnshire Countryside 32 years ago to enter into a new challenging life in a deserted ghost-like town.

“I was working on my research project in 1980 when one day my tutor showed me a job advert for a community project in London which changed my life” says Eve. She describes her first visit to the area: “I travelled by a bus to London and then look around the Island. There were a lot of trees and council housing blocks, and not many old buildings. It was not beautiful and seemed like an abandoned place, but I knew it is my place and I have to be here.”

Eve, who looks younger than her age has married twice and has 2 children and 4 grandchildren, works in Island-Trust with the same energy and enthusiasm as she started 32 years ago. She draws a salary but spends a lot of her time doing volunteering work. Eve is a proud writer who has been fascinated about the history of the Island which led her to write her two books about the history of Isle of Dogs from 1066 to 1980. She also publishes a bio-monthly news bulletin which keeps the spirit of Island alive.

Eve got used to the area very quickly and although she did not know anyone, she managed to build her personal life and tried to learn and communicate with local people. She says: “I only knew my fellow worker Bernett. We did not know anyone and anything about the Island. We got a couple of bikes and cycled around the island to get an overall view of the area. It was empty and very quiet.”

They decided to drop leaflets in people’s houses to invite them to tell their stories and send their old pictures. Out of 1000 leaflets, only Ada Price responded who became a great volunteer. Her tremendous knowledge of the area helped them a lot.

“I started history classes in George Green School. The local people were very keen to know about the past history and wanted to relate to it. One day one of the participants brought along a photo showing Islanders from the 1930s. It was amazing and a great starting point” says Eve.

The photo was a turning point in Eve’s oral history project which consequently concluded an archive of over 5000 images mainly provided by local residents. She enlarged the image and placed it at shop windows which attracted a lot of attention. “It was just like bees in a honey pot. People started talking about it. They recognised the relative or friends and found some kind of connection with it. The people who were grown up in 30s and their childhoods had been blown apart by the war” Says Eve.

Eve talks emotionally: “Their homes and schools had been bombed, their whole lives had been turned upside down and after that they lost touch with people. The photo restored their connections and the idea grew in popularity. Our project brought people together to share their memories and tell their stories.”

Eve continues: “The people still say it was a lovely place to live despite poverty”. It was a warm and vibrant community with deep integration. The people lived there and worked in docks or factories in walking distance and used to join in pubs in the evening. Eve’s photo archive project enabled people to rediscover their childhood memories.

The collection was digitised in 1990s and may become available online soon. Following her work which started in 1980, the project became a registered charity in 1985. It is run by local trustees and funded partly by subscriptions and donations. The Islands historical asset is kept in two little-known offices in Dockland Settlement Centre.

Eve’s best memory of Island is when she walked everyday through the garden roses to get into her job next to Christ Church and she never regretted to leave her PhD research. Her worst memory has always been lack of funding and her anxiety to keep the project going.

The dramatic story of Island never ends and nothing stops Eve’s work while she is fit to do so.

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Marathon 2011

I watched part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant celebration on TV on Sunday 3^rd June. As a keen photographer, I felt that it was a shooting opportunity I should notmiss. The weather was not encouraging though. I continued watching the program on TV and followed the flotilla pass in front of the Queen and head towards Tower Bridge. I was not sure whether to go or carry on watching it on TV. It was after 3:30pm that I eventually decided to go, along with my wife, despite the bad weather.

I approached Tower Bridge, seeing the crowd standing and waving their different coloured umbrellas, watching the big screen while access to the bridge was closed to the public.

The place was very crowded, wet, slippery and uncomfortable. It was not easy to move around without knocking someone’s umbrella. I returned and tried to approach the river through a side road. But it was closed. I quickly decided to go through St. Katherine’s Dock and Tower Hotel. It was an easier route than I expected. I passed through the hotel entrance and got into the east side of the bridge. There was a crowd of people with British flags, painted faces and some dressed from head to toe in the colours of the Union. I had to use my camera over people’s shoulders to capture the scenery. I was getting very annoyed and the rain was getting heavier.

GET ME THERE

Frejus is a little town situated between the hills of the Masif des Maures and Esterel, in Provence, south of France. Julius Caesar founded the historic Roman town in 49 BC. It functioned as an important port in the beginning of the Christian era. Today, Frejus, which merges with nearby St Raphael has a small marina port and a fine narrow sandy beachside strip. It has preserved its architectural heritage, famous for its amphitheatres, pillars and arches.

The old town and its surroundings offer plenty of interests to visitors with its mild weather all year round.

HOW TO GET THERE

The most convenient way to get to Frejus is to fly to Nice and then hire a car. BA (08444930787,www.ba.com) flies direct from City Airport, Heathrow and Gatwick from £100 return. Easyjet (08431045000,www.easyjet.com) departs from Gatwick and Stansted as well as Luton from £75.00 return. Airfrance (08716633777,www.airfrance.com) runs indirect flight from Heathrow and City Airport from £200 return.

Frejus is only 36 miles from Nice airport. If you are interested in sightseeing, it is useful to hire a car to drive around the French Riviera’s coastlines and countryside. Avis (08445810147,www.avis.com) offer competitive rates starting at £20 per day.

WHERE TO STAY

The cheapest option is to stay in a nearby holiday park. La baume and Green are 4-star holiday parks which have a wide range of facilities. You can book your accommodation or tent pitch from Keycamp (0844406200,www.keycamp.co.uk) or Eurocamp (08444060402, www.eurocamp.co.uk). They have several economy and luxury units in the French Riviera offering very good rates in low season from £18 per night.

If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, but wish to stay closer to the old town and beach, Atoll Hotel (0033494515377,www.atollhotel.fr) which is just 100 metres from the marina in the heart of Fréjus is another good choice. Free on-site parking is provided, and the attractions are easily accessible on foot.

WHERE TO EAT

Grand Cafe de l’Esterel (0033494515050) is a convenient and popular brasserie which offers a single menu at rock-bottom prices renewed every day to satisfy your appetite at lunch time.

Les Micocouliers (0033494521652) is a nice restaurant with a most appealing summer terrace (heated in the winter) set up on the square opposite the Groupe Espiscopal church.

SHOPPING

There are a variety of markets in Frejus. The Provencal markets are a bit of a tourist trap. However on Saturday morning there is an Arab Market held for locals by the Roman Theatre in Frejus old town.

If you’re staying for several days or weeks, a trip to do your grocery shopping in the Geant Casino superstore is a must. It’s also good to look in souvenir shops for affordable gifts for friends and family back home.

SIGHTSEEING PLACES

The best nearby attractions include an extraordinary Sudanese Mosque in red stone built by sailors from Mali based at Frejus in the 1920s. There is also the L’Esterel Safari Park, a zoo which can be visited by car. You can also find Aquatica, a huge water park in the west of town.

CALENDER

Beravade Saint-Francois is a traditional religious procession that takes place on the third Sunday after Easter through the historic town centre. It is a very colourful ceremony where locals dress in the medieval Provencal costume and men dress in soldier’s uniforms from Napoleon’s time.

Fete du Raisin is the celebration of the first wine grapes, harvested during the first week in August. Local producers offer wine tasting.

If you travel in the Riviera region in May, you also have an opportunity to visit the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Formula1 race.