Moutier d’Ahun
This park up was in a beautiful location right by a river. It was very peaceful. It was recommended by our friends and was outside of the town.
Moutier d’Ahun is a village in central France and is known for its history and architecture . The Abbey of Moutier d’ Ahun is a Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century. It is very picturesque.
We just relaxed when we arrived and in the morning we went and had a look at the village and I also went to have a swim. It didn’t look great getting in so I actually took a rain check and didn’t go in! I later found out I was attempting to get in at the wrong place!
Below is a few photos from around the village including The Abbey of Moutier d’ Ahun
Mascot
Masgot is a small but picturesque village in central France . It is known for its unique stone sculptures. The village dates back to the 19th century when Francois Michaud, a local farmer with a passion for stone carving began sculpting intricate figures and symbols into granite racks scattered throughout the area. His work blends elements of folklore, religion and rural life and transformed Masgot into an open air museum.
The village has narrow winding streets, traditional stone houses and the distinctive sculptures peek out from gardens, walls and public spaces. Guided tours are available to learn about the village and its famous resident. There are also workshops where you can try stone carving!
Oradour-sur-Glane
Oradour-sur-Glane is a small village in the Haute-Vienne department of France, infamous for the tragic events that occurred there during World War II.
Historical Context
Oradour-sur-Glane was the site of a brutal massacre on June 10, 1944, just four days after the D-Day landings in Normandy. A Waffen-SS company from the 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich” entered the village, ostensibly in retaliation for Resistance activities in the area. The soldiers rounded up the villagers—men, women, and children—and herded them into various locations, including barns and the village church.
The Massacre
The soldiers separated the men from the women and children. The men were taken to several barns where they were shot in the legs to ensure a slow death and then burned alive when the barns were set on fire. The women and children were locked in the church, which was set ablaze after a failed attempt to detonate an explosive. Only a handful of villagers managed to escape the horror, and by the end of the day, 642 people had been killed.
Aftermath and Preservation
Following the massacre, the village was left in ruins. Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French Forces and later President of France, decided that Oradour-sur-Glane should not be rebuilt. Instead, it was preserved in its ruined state as a memorial to the atrocities committed during the war. The new village was built nearby, but the original site remains as a chilling reminder of the events of June 10, 1944.
Memorial Site Today
We were able to walk through the ruins, which have been preserved exactly as they were found after the massacre. Rusted cars, bicycles, and everyday objects remain where they were left, offering a haunting glimpse into the lives that were abruptly ended. It was very eerie to see.
There is also a modern memorial centre, the Centre de la Mémoire, which provides historical context and detailed accounts of the massacre, along with exhibitions on the broader impact of the war in the region.
Importance
Oradour-sur-Glane stands as a solemn reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of remembering history to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
This site offers an important lesson in history, showing the brutal reality of war and the importance of remembrance in ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated.
If you are in the area I would definitely recommend going.
Le Dorat
After visiting Oradour-sur-Glane we decided to move on a little bit for the night . We found a nice park up for the night at Le Doran. Here I am in the centre of Le Dorat where we also had a nice meal out .
From here we decided to head to the coast and La Rochelle. This is where our next post will begin.
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Our Life on the Road 