Bazas

Woke early this morning listening to the first serious rain we have had this trip. Our day was bookended with some serious rain this evening at Houeilles - and the temperature has returned to a more accommodating level!

After spending time shopping this morning we headed further southeast to the village of Bazas. 

This ancient town is dominated by the UNESCO listed Cathedral. The importantance of the town stemmed from being at the junction of the ancient trade routes from The east and those to the Spanish south. It became an important staging point for the pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela. 

Founded over 2,000 years ago, as the capital of the Roman province of Vasates, the town of Bazas later became a bishopric on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela. 

Its magnificent Gothic cathedral was built between the 13th and 17th centuries, and has been restored. 

Particularly striking are the triple Gothic doorway embellished with intricate carvings, both dating from the 13th century. 

The medieval builders used part of the old castle fortifications of earlier times. Behind the facade of the cathedral you can see the remains of a corner tower from an existing fortification. 

In front of the cathedral is the gently sloping square on which a colourful market has been held every Saturday since 1492. 

The square is lined with arcaded 16th-and 17th-century houses, which have finely decorated façades.

An area in one of the old buildings was dedicated to a variety of arts: from upholstery to fine arts. 

After spending an afternoon in Bazas we drove further southeast to the town of Houeilles for our overnight stop.