"LA ROMIEU" La Romieu by Lady_Mystique

La Romieu Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 28 photos

=^..^=~~~~~=^..^=~~~~~=^..^=~~~~~=^..^=~~~~~=^..^=~~~~~=^..^=

In the year 1338, in a Gascon village called La Romieu renowned for its beautiful collegiate built 20 years earlier, lived a woodman, Vincent, and his wife, Mariette. After 3 years of marriage the wife gave birth to a little girl, whom they called Angeline.
Alas, one day Vincent was crushed by a tree he was felling. Mariette sank into a deep depression and 2 months later died, with tiny Angeline still in her arms. The infant was taken in by neighbours and raised as their own.
Angeline showed a great affection for cats and there was always one or more around her, often sleeping with her at night.
In 1342 and the following 2 years, the winters were harsh and the spring and summer so wet that the crops failed. A famine soon followed and the inhabitants, with little to eat, began to hunt the numerous cats around. Knowing Angeline's love for her cats, her parents allowed her to hide hers in the attic, letting them out at night to hunt. The famine grew worse and many villagers died.
Eventually times became easier and crops more plentiful. But, in La Romieu where the cats had disappeared, the rats increased to such a point that, once again, the crops were threatened!
Angeline, having hidden her male and female cats, had by this time 20 more cats from the litters of kittens that were born. Angeline then announced to the village that she would release some of her cats for the inhabitants to adopt. The rats rapidly disappeared and it is thus that Angeline and her cats saved La Romieu from another disaster.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cat sculptures of La Romieu

Cat Sculptures
=^..^=

It was from listening to a grandmother telling this story of Angeline's cats to her grandchildren that a sculptor from Orleans; Maurice Serreau had the idea of reviving the legend by placing sculptures of cats all around the square in La Romieu.

>^..^<

Feline La Romieu resident

Where Sleeping Cats Lie
=^..^=

I love the village of La Romieu because the village of La Romieu loves cats!!!
Take a leisurely stroll in the lanes of this "flowered village"...it has beautiful flowers growing everywhere too!!...and enjoy seeing the ancient facades of the houses and the famous statues of the "Angeline Cats" that revive a lovely medieval legend.

Intro Updated Dec 7, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (13)

The Narrow Streets of La Romieu Favorites (6)

Here's a typical street in la Romieu. Actually, this one here is probably one of the widest. Most are very narrow...you... more travel advice

...and just one more rooftop pic!! Favorites (6)

...last ...but not least! more travel advice

The Outside Edge of Town Favorites (6)

Upon walking and wandering through La Romieu I discovered how much the residents seemed to care for every inch of land... more travel advice

Rooftops Favorites (6)

...and here's more. more travel advice

Things to Do (6)
See All Stained Glass Windows in the Church

Hotels (1)
Camping Caravanning Site

Comments (7)

Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Jul 7, 2011 at 1:19 PM

A great looking little village! I just looked it up on the map and it's nowhere near anyplace where I have ever been.
Reply
- Report abuse
CoAir13 Feb 28, 2005 at 5:49 AM

Stunning page! I REALLY need to brush up on my French so we can take a driving holiday to see beautiful places such as this!
Reply
- Report abuse
freya_heaven Jan 13, 2005 at 2:45 PM

Great to see more camping tips, this looks another beautiful little French place for me to find. Lovely page, I like rooftops too! (~_~)
Reply
- Report abuse
Wild_Orchid Dec 19, 2004 at 6:09 PM

you have done it again! I enjoyed the stories and the pics!
Reply
- Report abuse
Maillekeukeul Dec 18, 2004 at 2:36 PM

Only a cat could take such splendid roof pictures...!
Reply
- Report abuse
billus Dec 9, 2004 at 8:14 PM

Ah ave never been there neither but eet reminds me of my own home town, Novion -->
Reply
- Report abuse
Toyin Dec 8, 2004 at 12:12 PM

Though I live in France presently, ..I never get to know this peaceful place. It has become a must see now for me..thank you Mystique.