Fongrave’s perfect tranquillity is deceptive; it actually has deep underlying connections into the history of France and Western Europe. This heritage and history gives it an air of civilised elegance that contrasts with its deeply rural setting. Of course, it was significant in the first place because of its position alongside one of France’s great rivers, the Lot.

This riverside location probably led not only to its origins but also to the establishment of an important religious house, the Priory, with a church and a monastery. The Fongrave priory belonged to the Plantagenet Fontreviste order, which was founded in 1101 in Anjou. One of the founders was Hersende, the mother of Héloïse, the lover of Abelard in the tragic tale. 

Fongrave’s other architectural gem is its 19th century town hall, built in stone by the river in a neoclassical style facing its town square shaded by plane trees, once also used as the village school. This is where ‘night markets’ take place on summer evenings, featuring local produce, local wine, music and dancing. 

In the Fongrave locality . . .