"Want to get off the beaten track?" La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin by Beausoleil

You know how people always say they want to get off the beaten track and see how real people live, as though tourists weren't real people. Well, go to La Chapelle St. Ursin near Bourges and you will experience the real France.

The day we arrived, they were setting up what appeared to be a huge fete in front of the church. There were large and small trucks parked on the grass, barriers up, parking places blocked and people bustling about putting up a stage, presumably for an evening performance. It was all quite exciting.

Church (and trucks) in La Chapelle St. Ursin

I always tell people to visit the church. In this case, we skipped the church. Perhaps we'll return someday and see it. It just seemed a bit too difficult to wade through workers and trucks . . . but it's quite pretty from the outside.

Wonder what the fete was all about? Looked like it was going to be some party. Shall I do a "Nightlife" Tip?

An old well

When a well isn't used any more, what do you do with it? Here is one person's answer and we loved the idea.

If you take the time to walk through the town, all kinds of pleasant surprises await you, tiny carvings hidden away, farm animals, lovely flowers, busy mothers hustling children to and fro, the ubiquitous Frenchman with a baguette on the back of his bicycle.

Visit the artisan bakery for your picnic baguette!

• Pros:Quiet, lovely, very friendly village
• Cons:We had to miss the party that evening . . . so sad!
• In a nutshell:La Chapelle defines "Off the Beaten Track" -- lovely!