DAY THIRTYTWO
LA-FERME – BAZAS
Without opening your door
You can open your heart
Without looking out your window
You can see the essence of Tao….
Lao Tse
At 9 in the morning we were starting for Cadillac, a town 19 miles west from La-
Ferme. Here we found out that the pilgrim’s way was no longer going through this
town. My guidebook, published 2012, had not recorded this change. In total, Jean
Paul drove over two hours to drop me off on the marked way. His generosity and
helpfulness were amazing.
It was a beautiful walk to Bazas. The rain filled the air with a heavy dampness and
put a great stillness over the meadows and fields. It was just great to walk, to breath,
to be.
I entered Bazas through the old city gate and came soon to a very picturesque city
plaza with the 13th century Gothic church Cathédral Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Instead of
statues, little children were sitting in the niches of the entrance to the church. I loved
the replacement of the former statues with happy children. When I entered the
church, I saw high up in the apsis of the church, standing on scaffolding, a man
renovating the heart shaped stained glass window frame. I was touched by the magic
of this site.
City gate of Bazas
City plaza of Bazas with the Gothic church
Children climbing up to the niches of the entrance to the church
Stained glass window in the apsis of the church facing east
Gothic arcades at the plaza of Bazar
After having a Bhoudi tea in the café under the Gothic arcades, I walked to the
refuge, the Château Saint-Vincent owned by Madame and Monsieur Dumortier.
They bought this Château for their retirement days. He was a professional carpenter
and she is an artist. Both love to renovate. This Château gives them plenty to do.
Château Saint-Vincent
Madame and Monsieur Dumortier in the kitchen
– Text and photos contributed by Garyo –