So our trip the Auvergne, while short, was a big success and lots of fun. On our way home, we drove across the valley of the Dordogne River. As we approached from the southeast, we could see the valley filled with fog.
Le Pont de St.-Projet on the Dordogne River.
But just as we descended toward the river, the fog burned off, almost in seconds, and we could see where we were. We crossed an artificial lake at a point just upstream of the Barrage de l'Aigle (Eagle Dam). The little suspension bridge was beautiful, and there were small tunnels on either end that we had to drive through.
A warning sign.
Of course, we couldn't resist getting out to take pictures. The sign above, posted by EDF (Electricité de France) says:
Attention. Danger.
EDF Artificial Lake
Eagle Dam
IT IS DANGEROUS
to venture into this riverbed
or on its islands and sand banks,
the water level can rise quickly and
at any time due to the functioning
of the hydro-electric power plants.
This sign wasn't kidding. The road surface was a rough mess.
Then we climbed back out of the valley and headed north to Aubusson, where we had lunch in a little pizzeria before finishing the trip back home. Callie was glad to find we hadn't left home for good.
Le Pont de St.-Projet on the Dordogne River.
A warning sign.
This sign wasn't kidding. The road surface was a rough mess.
Never forget: Il est dangereux de s'aventurer dans le lit!
ReplyDeleteJudy - LOL!!
ReplyDeleteWalt - Happy haircut!
BettyAnn
judy, hahaha!
ReplyDeletebettyann, merci!
I love the way the French do things. you are considered to be reasonably intelligent and to have some common sense. Instead of filling everything with guard rails and other safety devices, they put up a sign that tells you the perils and consequences in plain language and then leave it up to you.
ReplyDeleteAt the Pont du Gard, there are signs that say in big letters Danger de Mort. Then in words and graphics they tell/show you all the ways in which mort can occur. You can then decide to walk across safely in the channel where the water once ran or to climb on top and be one of the one or two tourists who are blown off by the mistral every year. Your choice.
will, yes, they treat people like adults, and they expect parents to be responsible for their children. Exceptions abound. For example, walking across the top of the Pont du Gard is no longer permitted. I'm glad I had the chance to do it back in 1989!
ReplyDelete