07/11/2026
This evening was the Castanyarde des Géants in Villefranche de Conflent. An evening of roasted chestnuts, local vin nouveau to sample and dancing to the music of the Géants' band, all in the Bastion de la Boucherie, the part of the village defences next to the recently renovated ancient pont Saint-Pierre.
Its a time to meet up with the other villagers at the end of the season, toast each other's health, and look forward to the winter closing in, safe in the embrace of the cosy fortress.
Upon returning, our cat Groucho had obviously missed us, as he was not only waiting by the bridge, but he had assembled a magnificent collection of leaves, collected to welcome us home!