Finding Hollywood in our small corner
Last month I wrote here about enjoying our local region in winter. How visiting places which in summer are busy with tourists are perfect for us, empty, quiet, stripped back to their true, historic selves.
Last week we did more exploring. Motivated by Schnauzerfest’s February walking prompt ‘The Big Screen’ we visited three places which have featured in many films. From small, little known ones, to major Hollywood movies. I knew the dogs wouldn’t care less about any of that, but they would love hoovering up the new smells and exploring with us.
Firstly, we headed to the mediaeval village, Beynac-et-Cazenac. The Chateau dates back to the 13th century and perches above the village and Dordogne river. It features in the opening scenes of the 2000 film ‘Chocolat’ with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. We had the place more or less to ourselves, of course. We enjoyed wandering around, scouting out the tiny street which leads up from the river. In the film it is used for Vianne and Anouk’s arrival in their fictional village. Most of the film is actually a village in Burgundy, another region of France.
More recently, Chateau de Beynac features in Ridley Scott’s film, ‘The Last Duel’.
Set in Mediaeval France, the film stars Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Ben Affleck and is based on true events. It’s a grim and disturbing story and a film I enjoyed.
We stumbled across some of the filming in 2020, not knowing what was happening until I saw the local news stories about Hollywood stars in our quiet corner of France. I remembered it when Schnauzerfest’s ‘The Big Screen’ prompt came around and did a bit of research. It turns out that within easy reach of home lie two other locations used in the film. And so we headed out last week for overnight van trip. Schnauzerfest is as good a reason as any to take a trip.
Chateau de Fenelon was stunning from the outside. The property closes to visitors in winter, but this didn’t stop us enjoying the location. It provided a peaceful (free) park up for the night and atmospheric early morning view from bed.
The Chateau is not only a location fit for a Hollywood movie, but one that was perfect for the dogs. We enjoyed walking a well marked, if slightly muddy, route direct from the van. I let my imagination run wild, thinking of all the millions of paws and feet which have trampled the area over many centuries.
After a late breakfast we made our way home, going via the 13th century bastide town of Monpazier. This was our third movie location. Founded in 1284 by King Edward I of England it was an important stronghold during the Hundred Years War and positively vibrates with history. This short article describes the market square and architecture well and if you watch The Last Duel, look out for it. It can’t have needed much Hollywood styling as it’s like a film-set in its own right. And yet it’s a real, totally authentic, living town today.
If you love history as I do, it’s easy to be spoilt for choice in this part of France.
