Then we got to Turenne on Monday, and the same thing! Everything was closed! We had hiked all the way up the Rock to the chateau and tower only to find the gates closed and locked...oh well, la vie francaise!

We met another couple at the entrance to the tower. They were from Australia and hiking around the area, doing what's called a randonnee. They had been caught unaware of the closed businesses as well.

Mona and I walked back down to the upper village, and found 1 place open. It was the creperie, and we went in for lunch. The dining-room was amazing, being an old coffered room with a round ceiling of brick. It looked like an old wine cellar. We had a great lunch, and decided we were going to have to stay in Turenne tonight, because we couldn't miss the tower and chateau.

We talked to the woman in the restaurant, and lo and behold! she operated the bed and breakfast next door! She offered to show us the rooms available, and we went to take a look. Fantastic place! We said we'd take a room.

Meanwhile, the Australian couple had showed up at the creperie, too. It was the only place open, after all. We talked to them a bit more, then said that since we were basing ourselves here for the night, we would be happy to take them around with us to explore in our car. They happily joined us, and that's how we met Jules and Robyn Powell of Australia.