This post on Montmorillon France – The City of Writing and Book Trades, is my first bi-lingual blog post. Apologies for the simplicity of the post and the perfunctory translation, but I wanted it to reflect my current level of French, so that in the future I can see progress (I hope).
Ce blog sur Montmorillon France – La Cité de l’Ecrit et des Métiers du Livre, est mon premier blog bilingue. Excuses pour la simplicité du blog et la traduction superficielle, mais je voulais qu’il reflète mon niveau actuel de la langue française, de sorte que, à l’avenir, je puisse voir le progrès (j’espère).
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The Town / La Ville
Montmorillon is a picturesque town in the Vienne department in France. It is called the City of Writing and Book Trades – with lovely calligraphy shops, bookshops and other artisanal shops.
Montmorillon est une ville picturesque en la Vienne départment en France. Il s’appelle La Cité de l’Ecrit et des Métiers du Livre avec des boutiques charmants de calligraphie, des librairies, et d’autres boutiques artisinaux.
The Old Town / La Vieille Ville
The Old Town is in the shadow of the Notre Dame church at the top of the hill. On the cobbled streets down to the river there are bars and crêpe restaurants.
La vieille ville est situee dans l’ombre de l’Eglise de Notre Dame au sommet de la colline. Sur les rues pavées à la rivière il y a des bars et des creperies.
The River / La Rivière
The medieval bridge across the Gartempes River is beautiful and makes this area look like a postcard. The Roman des Saveurs restaurant near the bridge has a wonderful terrace right on the river that is open in summer.
Le pont medieval qui traverse la rivière Gartempes est si beau qu’on dirait que le quartier ressemble a une carte postale. Le restaurant Roman des Saveurs à une terrasse magnifique qui est ouvert en été et en plus qui donne sur la rivière.
Activities / Activités
Montmorillon is also known for Macaroons. At the Macaroon Museum (Boulevard de Strasbourg) you can learn about the history of this dessert and eat some too! It is a good activity to do if the weather is bad.
Montmorillon est également connu pour les macarons. À la Musée du Macaron (Boulevard de Strasbourg) on peut découvrir l’histoire des macarons et en deguster aussi! C’est quelque chose d’agreable a faire quand il ne fait pas beau.
I recommend a walk around the main square also, there are many bars and the visitor centre. Try the Salon de Thé for cake in the afternoon.
Je conseille une promenade autour de la place principale ou se trouve beaucoup de bars et l’Office de Tourisme. En plus vous pouvez aller au Salon de Thé pour du gateau pendant l’apres-midi.
Read about other gorgeous french towns, such as Verteuil-sur-Charente.
All photos © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.8 STM; and an iPhone6s.
Merci pour ces belles paroles sur notre ville !
Merci beaucoup! C’est une belle ville!
Being a voracious reader, I am fascinated by the spaces designed around books. Glad to know about one more from this post. I would like to know more about the book scene there and what lead it to get the name – City of Writing.
There are many craftsmen there, and they have brought this together to label the town. Now more bookmakers, booksellers and artisan calligraphers have shops there in the old town. It is a literary paradise! https://www.tourisme-vienne.com/en/activite/211/cite-de-l-ecrit-et-metiers-du-livre#
Super impressed that you’re writing a blog in both languages. Congratulations. Montmorillon sounds and looks absolutely gorgeous but then again it is France. Anywhere that has a macaroon museum has to be an awesome spot to visit. Such a simple yet beautifully complex little bundle of deliciousness.
Thank you! Learning french is a slow process, but getting there! I loved Montmorillon before the macaroons, but now it’s even better 😉
I must admit I have never heard about montmorillon, but then there are still so many place we haven’t heard of. I love the place, such picturesque town with lovely architecture. I am also learning French myself, hope I’m able to read your post in French soon 🙂
Bonne chance!
Montmorillon sounds like an interesting city. Who knew there was a city dedicated to books? Loved that vintage photo of the town.
Very nice blogposts. I have been to this place many times. It is charming in every season and the food is amazing!
Montmorillon looks like a beautiful part of France – we’re huge book nerds, so I would love to wander the calligraphy and bookshops. The only sad thing about my obsession with collecting books is how much my luggage weighs!! Such beautiful medieval architecture throughout – and you can’t say no to a Macaroon museum!
Congrats on your first bilingual post! You’re doing an amazing job!
Thanks Meg, my grammar is still all over the place, but learning is good! Visit Montmorillon and bring an extra suitcase 😉
The architecture looks like it’s straight from the medieval movies.
I have a love hate relationship with Macaroons, love to eat them, cannot make them. As a chef by trade, that just doesnt cut it. Would love to visit the Macaroon Museum and learn about the history of the dessert and of course stuff my pie hole with MANY of them! eat some too!
This is the first blog I’ve ever read with subtitles, and I love it. I felt like I was at an arthouse flick. What beautiful architecture. I like a city that understands the importance of a good macaroon.
Hehe subtitles, love it!
We were just in France and I’m trying to figure out how we missed this place! A whole town with a focus on writing and book arts?!? I am bookmarking this for our next trip. I also love the idea of a macaron museum. We’re 100% in!