76: Short trip to Duras, France one of our favorite places. The Tour de France is underway.

Welcome to the 76th weekly post of our Baby Boomers Move to France blog.

We are into our 48th week in France 6/28-7/4/26 having spent 3 months in Duras and then roughly a month and a half in St Germaine de Confolens before settling in Chabanais.

We have been in our home in the village of Chabanais in the Charente department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region of France since the middle of December 2025. We are still loving it.

This week,

Work on chicken coop (Cocktail Coop), A little 4 day holiday in Duras. Back home for Saturday the 4th. No big plans for the 4th.

Our home in Chabanais, France

Things on the agenda this week:

• Duras trip
• Dinner at one of our all-time favorite restaurants (twice)
• Attend the Duras Night Market
• Visit 2 wineries

Weather forecast:

The forecast is for a cooling trend with high temps in the upper 80s and lows in the 60s. I don’t see rain in the forecast for the week.

Why this Blog?

Long story short, we are “Baby Boomers” that have moved from Venice, Florida to the beautiful French countryside as retirees. After a little over a year of planning and fretting we sold everything in Venice and made the move on 1 August 2025.

We publish a brief update of our adventures every Sunday to share our experiences, tips and mistakes.

If you are wondering what got into our head and inspired us to make the move, check out some of our earlier posts. Again, if you have questions about our adventure, drop your questions in the comment section below.

This Weeks Daily Update

Sunday

We woke up to way cooler morning and were happy to hear the Saturday night thunderstorm

The thunderstorm cooled everything down and the cool weather reenergized us. I checked the rain barrel and gutter set up and all is good. The 300-liter rain barrel is almost full. Wow!! I think the water is about 2 inches below the overflow pipe. We will use this water to water the veggie patch.

Speaking of storms, areas southwest of us were hit by gale force winds and hail the size of golf balls. Trees were downed and roofs were damaged, but fortunately, I didn’t see any report of injuries.

The storm brought a welcome relief from the heat wave in our area, and we were able to enjoy the summer house. The weather was so nice we opened a bottle of wine, opened some windows and played marbles with the wild red marble. EB beat me 4 to 0. It really was her night!!

EB suggested that I take a picture of the sky. I took this picture a little after 10PM on Sunday looking west from the summer house. It was such a gorgeous night.

We worked on the curtain project.

Over the past 2 weeks of the relentless heat waves the self-sticking material on the curtain hangers let go. EB had purchased some super glue for the fix. We got everything cleaned up and used the super glue to secure the hangers in place.

The curtains look so nice when in place.

Monday: Quiet day

I finally got my order in for firewood. I was concerned that I might miss an early delivery to avoid the fall rush. No problem, our firewood will be delivered around July 17.

Using water from the rain barrel I watered EBs veggie patch.

The main event is dinner in Pressignac at Les Lys et Les Thistles (the Lily and the Thistles). I think that I got the name correct. It is nice little restaurant run by a Scottish lady I guess that explains the name not being completely French. The restaurant was busy and there was a duet performing American 60s, 70s and 80s music that most everyone there could sing along with. A guy with a guitar and a woman with a pretty voice singing some old favorites and a couple of French songs too. It was a very enjoyable evening and Rosie was welcomed to sit on the bench at the table with us! Luckily she did NOT see the cat moving in and out of the restaurant.

The menu is limited. It was curry night, so we had a choice between chicken curry and vegetarian curry. We picked chicken and I thought it was pretty good. I would go back for it.

Tuesday: Drive to Duras

You probably remember that we spent our first 3 months of living in France in the very nice village of Duras and enjoyed it immensely. A perfect place to get acclimated to the French countryside.

We decided to take a drive to Duras and spend 4 nights in the same Airbnb that we stayed in before. We had a list of things that we wanted to do there including going to taste wine at the Molhiere winery and also the Berticot winery. Both are Cote de Duras wines that we like a lot. We stopped on the way into Duras at Molhiere and bought a case so that we would have some good stuff when the family visits in September.

What a nice drive (about 2 and 1/2 hours) through the French countryside (compagne) south-south-west of Chabanais. We drove through rolling farmland planted in corn, sunflowers, other row crops, fruit trees including apricots, walnut groves and there was livestock including cattle and horses all along the route. Also huge bales of hay either in big rolls or bales were scattered through some huge firelds.

Duras is in the Lot et Garonne department. We crossed the Dordogne and the Dropt rivers and arrived at our Airbnb just after 4:00pm. The weather was perfect so after unloading the car we walked with Rosie down to Cafe de la Paix and sat at a table in the outside eating area, had a glass of wine, a bite to eat and reacquainted ourselves with the village. Afterwards we walked over to Parvis Magna and made dinner reservations for Wednesday night.

Wednesday: Great weather

Drive over to Loubes-Bernac

We wanted to check out the location of the Airbnb that EB has reserved for when Don, Cindy, Dan and Rhonda visit us in September. It is located just outside of a village called Loubes-Bernac also in the Lot et Garonne department. It is a short drive from Duras. We had been in the village back in August of last year and recall a beautiful look out spot and a nice restaurant in the village, but we couldn’t find it. We stopped at a Tabac and had a French beer and decided to go over to Eymet for lunch.

Eymet is a quaint village in the Dorgdogne department that is a short drive from Duras. We had visited Eymet a couple of times in the past and we know that there are several restaurants with outdoor seating in the square. Rosie likes outdoor seating as we take one of her beds with us and she can chill in her bed while we eat. We didn’t want to eat too much as we had reservations for dinner at Parvis Magna at 7.

We think Loubes-Bernac will be a good base for site seeing around the area. We definitely want to share Duras and Parvis Magna with the family

Parvis Magna did not disappoint. The restaurant is basically a small enclosed courtyard open to the sky with trees shading the courtyard. Weather was just right with a slight breeze. EB and I shared a salad and grilled duck breast served with homemade chips. A bottle of Berticot red wine was a perfect match for the meal. The food, service and ambiance are fantastic. Plus Rosie approves.

Above pictures show the grill, trees shading the courtyard and some of the seating in the restaurant. Great night so we made reservations for Friday night too.

Thursday: Another nice day and a ride to checkout Fongrave

We had heard about Fongrave many times on a YouTube channel “A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall”. They have lived just across the river from the village of Fongrave for a few years. This village is on the Lot River in the Lot et Garonne department. Richard and Maria have a really nice home there and have a few gites there too. We might want to stay in one of their gites sometime.

When we got to the village the folks were setting up for the night market. We found a parking spot and took a walk. EB had seen a little ice cream shop when we drove through the village towards the river, so we went for an ice cream and had a leisurely walk around the village and down by the river. Then back in the car heading for Duras in time for the Duras night market.

I have written about the Duras Night Market in the past. It is just a great time with live music, dancing, all kinds of food trucks and wine, beer, water and soft drinks. People from all around the village and surrounding valley come to the Duras Night Market every Thursday night during the summer. There are a few merchandise booths with jewelry and arts and craft items too.

When we lived in the village we attended just about every night market. It is kind of a shame that Night Markets aren’t a thing in the Charente department where we live now. Anyway, the weather cooperated and we had a good time at the Night Market.

Friday:

Yeah, EB’s first SS check arrived!

We went to Berticot winery for a tasting and to round out our wine supply for the family visit. I think we are pretty well set now, and we always have box wine in a pinch. Don’t judge, box wine in France is really pretty good.

We got ready for dinner and walked over to Parvis Magna for our 7:30 dinner reservation. Man, I like that place.

Saturday: Happy Independence Day and The Tour de France is underway

EB and I are glad to be going home. We enjoyed Duras but ready to go home.

EB drove home so I got to see the sights on the drive. I can’t get over how pretty this country is. The rolling hills, medieval villages, and the farmland are all so peaceful.

Speaking of EB, she harvested some cucumbers from her veggie patch for Saturday’s salad. She also is trying out a recipe for making pickles. We both like pickles, so this will be a welcome addition to our veggie experience.

Happy Independence Day to our American friends.

On the 4th of July in 1776 the American Declaration of Independence was adopted, and the American colonies would fight a revolutionary war against England until the Treaty of Paris in September 1783 officially ends the American revolutionary war. This is an important day in American history as well as world history. It took roughly 13 years before the US constitution became operational in 1789 replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Interestingly the French king had supported the war against England’s king. This support drained the French treasury and the resulting taxes on the French people was part of the reason the French revolted against the French monarchy.

France, of course, doesn’t celebrate the 4th of July. French Independence Day is celebrated on the 14th of July (14 juillet)

The Tour de France got started on July 4. Stage 1 is in Barcelona Spain. There is a great app if you want to follow the tour. Check out the Tour de France app.

So that was our week.

Beautiful weather and a nice little holiday trip to Duras and glad to be home.

French Lifestyle and Culture

Why do the French celebrate 14 July (Quatorze Juillet)

Two symbols of the French revolution are: the storming of the Bastille 14 July 1789 and the adoption of the union of the nation, the Fete de la Federation on the anniversary of Bastille Day on 14 juillet 1790. These are commonly attributed to the start of the French revolution against France’s King Louise XVI and monarchy in general. Thus, the holiday and celebrations.

Fly overs, military parades, fireworks and dances are organized throughout the country to celebrate the day. The fireman’s ball or Bal de Pompiers is a popular event staged all over the country to remember the day. In Chabanais the firefighter’s association is reviving the tradition with a country-style meal and musical fireworks display on July 13th. Seems like we moved to Chabanais at the right time. LOL We definitely plan to attend and support the Pompiers. Dinner is 20 euros and supports the pompiers and other charities in the village.

Next Week (la Semaine Prochaine)

• Back to work on the Cocktail Coop
• Simon the handyman will be back
• Lunch at Cafe Lillian
• Follow up firewood moisture testing
• Follow up the Tour de France

Weather forecast for next week

Sunny and hot this coming week with high temps in the upper 90s and maybe touching 101 on Tuesday. Overnight lows in the 60s. Partly cloudy, but I don’t see rain in the forecast for the week.

Signing off for the week

STAY COOL AND HYDRATED!!

As always, we sign off wishing you all a good week and remind you to take care of yourselves and your family.

Keep in touch and leave questions, suggestions and comments below. We really enjoy hearing from you all.

HOPING YOU HAD A SAFE AND SANE JULY 4th.

Wishing you a good week (Bonne Semaine)

Mark and Elizabeth Beiley

Babyboomersmovetofrance.com