A Recommended Day Trip South West, France Lot et Garonne

Bonaguil Castle

The Château de Bonaguil is located in the Lot-et-Garonne, on the border with the Lot and close to the Dordogne. It is only 2 hours from Bordeaux and Toulouse, 1 hour from Agen.

From the top of its rocky outcrop, it dominates the valley and the medieval village.
It forms a group of castles, unique in Europe, in a remarkable state of conservation.

Bonaguil Castle shows off amazing architecture not to be missed as a favourite day out whilst on holiday here at Gone Fishin in the sunny Lot et Garonne.

.This wonderful example ‘Bonaguil Castle’ can be found between Périgord and Quercy in the village of Saint-Front-sur- Lémance near Fumel.

Enjoy this panoramic video of Bonaguil Castle

Built in the 13th century then modified and extended in the late 15th and early 16th centuries by Baron Bérenger de Roquefeuil, this fortress never came under any military attack, thanks to its impressive defence system.
A perfect illustration of the use of military architecture and techniques from the Middle Ages via the Renaissance to the early days of the Vauban fortifications.
Special organised Tours ( or simply stroll around) around Bonaguil Castle, you will be transported on a journey back to the time of the knights. Explore the towers and turrets, barbican, gunpowder store, casemates with embrasures, drawbridge and moats.

The top of the Fort boasts a panoramic terrace with a wonderful view over the whole fortress and spectacular surrounding scenery.

Theatre festival are held at the Bonaguil castle every first week of August and is certainly popular with guests.

Whilst touring Bonaguil Castle you can wander around the Fortress, the caves, walk drawbridges and take yourself into its life of medieval history.

Graffiti in the caves ay Bonaguil castle
Graffite in the caves of the castle

In 1976, whilst exploring Bonaguil Castle the archaeologists Gilles SERAPHIN, Daniel FRUGIER and Michel EGRETAUD discovered under the Barbican, a low chamber under a broken cradle which served in the XVI and XVII centuries a storage place, and found important archaeological furniture . This discovery, associated with the discovery a few years earlier a set of graffiti on the internal walls of the Big Tower, comes to remind us that Bonaguil was indeed a place where people actually lived.

Bonaguil castle
Bonaguil Castle rooms

The storage place where they disposed of broken pottery they found simple clay cups and eating utensils, remains of beautiful stemmed glasses .
Their analysis is still to be done but they decided to put them in front of the public in 2013.

A lovely day out indeed and ant Bonaguil there is a lovely restaurant. Importantly there are car parks adjacent to the restaurant and also at the entrance of the Castle.

France 2019. How Much For A Taxi – Stamps – Whats New In French Currency

French Taxis Cost 2019

France 2019. How Much For A Taxi – Stamps – Whats New In French Currency.

Taxis: New Fares for 2019

Taxis In France 2019 prices
Taxis In France 2019 prices

What you need to know when booking a taxi in France.

 What is the minimum price you will be charged? 

What is the price to go to an airport?

 Taxi fares for 2019 are set by official decree in December 2018.

In 2019, the minimum fare for a journey is set at € 7.10 for all taxis (Parisians and non-Parisians).

In addition, taxi fares are capped at:

  • € 4.10 
  • 1,10 € for the kilometer traveled
  • 36,73 € for the hourly price concerning the waiting period when reserved by the customer).

For Parisian taxis, booking supplements are, as in 2018, to:

  • 4 € in case of immediate reservation;
  • 7 € if booking in advance. 

    Moreover, for all races of Parisian taxis, only extra ” passenger ” of 4 € may be applied from a 5 th person carried.

    There is a flat rates set for the Paris taxis between Paris and the Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports (in both directions) remain unchanged compared to those in 2018: 

    • € 50 between Paris – Charles-de-Gaulle airport and Paris rive droite;
    • 55 € between Paris – Charles-de-Gaulle airport and Paris rive gauche;
    • 35 € between Paris-Orly airport and Paris rive droite;
    • 30 € between Paris-Orly airport and Paris left bank.

    There are also flat rates for shopping related to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport:

    • 32 € between Nice airport and Nice-center.
    • € 80 between Nice airport and Cannes;
    • 90 € between Nice airport and Monaco;

    Finally, for travelling for example to Toulouse Blagnac airport, these flat rates vary between € 15 and € 45 (depending on the area of the city). Please check on booking.

    How Much For Stamps In France 2019

    French Stamp New Prices For 2019
    French Stamps New Prices For 2019

     Stamp price: new increase on January 1, 2019

  • Priority letter (red stamp) or green letter (green stamp):

    Rates for stamps for individuals increased by an average of about 10% from 1 st  January 2019.

    This is indicated by a statement of the Regulatory authority for electronic communications and postal services (Arcep) on 2019 universal postal service tariffs.

    For individuals, the price of green stamp (distributed within 48 hours in France) will increase from 0.80 €  to  0.88 € , the red stamp (priority mail delivered within 24 hours in France) will now be priced at 1.05 € (against 0.95 € today).

    The ” Ecopli ,” the most economical way (sending in 4 days on average), will go from 0.78 €  to 0.86 € .

    For parcel post called Colissimo, the public rate Colissimo France metropolitan less 

    than 250 grams will remain at the same price as in 2018 ( 4.95 € ).

    Whats New In French Currency 2019

  • French New Currency For 2019
    French New Currency For 2019

    New Currency Notes of 100 and 200 Euros Arriving May 2019

  • The new € 100 and € 200 notes  are due to enter the euro zone from May 28, 2019, as part of the gradual renewal of the European currency denominations. They were presented by the European Central Bank (ECB) on 17 September 2018.

    These new notes are part of a series called ” Europe ” because two of the security signs used include a portrait of Princess Europe, a character of Greek mythology that gave its name to the continent. Tickets of 5 € , 10 € , 20 € and 50 € are already part of this series.

    The security markings in this series are perfected to allow better protection against counterfeiting. These new notes will be easier to verify the authenticity through feel, scrutinising  and tilting to the light .

  • The new € 100 note retains green as the dominant colour while taking inspiration from the Baroque and Rococo architectural style.

  • The New 100 Euro Note in circulation in May 2019
    The New 100 Euro Note in circulation in May 2019

    The new note 200 € shows secure gates , the yellow colour and the glass and steel architectural style of the XIX th  century.

  • The New 200 Euro Note in circulation May 2019
    The New 200 Euro Note in circulation May 2019

    These two new notes will have the same height as the € 50 note, but they will have the same length as the €100and 

  • €200 notes currently in circulation (the longer the note, the higher their face value).

The Best Spot For A Selfie in Nouvelle Aquitaine

Grand Dune du Pilat

Where is the best spot to take a selfie you might ask yourself whilst on holiday here at Gone Fishin Aiguillon just 1hr from Bordeaux.

Perhaps we could suggest a good selfie would be your catch of the day around our carp lake if you were a fisherman.

But To be honest our guests love a day out down at Arcachon close to the bustling city of Bordeaux.

Go climbing the Grande  Dune du Pilat, this is the tallest sand dune in Europe.

Arcachon Pine Forest
Arcachon pine forest showing being slowly swallowed up by the Grand Dune du Pilat

Located in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area just 60km from Bordeaux.

So, should you make to the top of the largest sand dune in Europe it would surely be  be the best and unique place to take that  selfie.

….

Steps to the Grande  Dune du Pilat
A choice either take the steps or hike… one way or another

This sand dune is enormous measuring 500 meter in width , 3 km in length and rising to a height of 107 meter above sea level.

The formation and movement has slowly caused the dune to slowly migrate away from the coast, engulfing the trees of an inland pine forest .

After ( to recover) you might enjoy a visit into Arcachon itself, enjoy the famous casino and many restaurants. A truly beautiful replace, at this very popular weekend retreat for many especially the people of Bordeaux City.

Arcachon is associated with a place of health and in recovery. The fresh sea air of Arcachon is said to recuperate various ailments.

Across the bay is Cape de Ferret, a popular with many famous celebrities, many of whom have holiday homes in this chic seaside resort. The lovely town is divided into 5 sections namely, the summer town, autumn town, winter town, spring town and a beach resort.

Casino d’Arcachon, Arcachon….

Arcachon Casino
An evening at the Casino in Arcachon

 

The casino was originally a chateau  – The Chateau Deganne and in 1904 was converted into the casino .

In the early part of 20th-century Paris and Bordeaux bourgeoisie came spend the summer in Arcachon , so the town was obliged to create a distraction in the form of a casino .

The Casino includes several banquet style halls that are available for hire  for special events