French Roundabouts: July 2008

July 26, 2008

D933 / D116 Outside Marmande

Location: Lot & Garonne, going south from Marmande, junction with the D933, a loop onto the N113 and the D116 towards Cocumont

This is a roundabout where each half of the circle is in stark contrast.

On one side we have grass and a small boat nestling in flower beds.

On the other side there is a steep slope of concrete and in the middle a bed of bright annuals. There's also a sign at the moment for a summer tomato festival. Marmande is famous for the quality of its tomatoes.

Peage Marmande Turn-off

Location: Turning from D933 south of Marmande, Lot & Garonne, onto the toll motorway A62/E72 (Bordeaux < > Toulouse, junction 5)

This roundabout reminds us of Marmandais vineyards in the locality. The metal writing says "Les Vignerons du Marmandais". The "g" is intriguing, because only the top half of the letter is evident, so it looks like an "a".

I think the pebbles are meant to represent the Garonne, with the vines growing on the valley sides.

The Pigeonnier

Location: South of Porte-Ste-Marie, Lot & Garonne, junction of D930 to Lavardac with D119 (to Le Passage and Agen) and D642 to Buzet.

This roundabout on the way to Buzet has a wonderful diversity of elements. Not content with just a pigeonnier (dovecote) above the flower-beds, we are also reminded of Buzet's viniculture with the casks, the vines and the old agricultural implements.

July 16, 2008

Fauillet Outskirts

Location: Lot & Garonne. D101 on edge of Fauillet village, leading to N113 (Marmande < > Tonneins). The route through the village leads to Gontaud-de-Norgaret.

D101 Fauillet / Varès

Location: Lot & Garonne. The D120 north out of Tonneins to Varès intersects with the D101 from Fauillet to Grateloup.

The "shed" in the middle of the roundabout is a miniture representation of a séchoir or tobacco drying barn. Tonneins used to be the heart of the tobacco industry in France. You can still see séchoirs throughout the area. The slats open and close to allow ventilation around the tobacco which hangs in great fronds from the ceiling.

Notice the beautiful topiary of the hedges.

Tonneins Leclerc

Location: Lot & Garonne. Tonneins outskirts, direction of Marmande. N113 turn-off for Leclerc

The roundabout to the turn-off for Leclerc in Tonneins has some splendid flower-beds. The first photo shows them in late spring, just planted and the next photos show them later in the summer.

The topiary is also interesting. The wavy lines are meant to represent the waves of the Garonne. And on one side there is a sleeping cat. Its outline has got somewhat fuzzy, but it is possible to see the back leg including curled tail.