Al Knight

aldisphotographicdesigns.com

“Fayrac Manor”
The Dordogne Valley - Southwest France
(18" x 24")

Artist’s Statement
Southwest France reminded me of Indiana as it might have been 75 years ago. From the air, the small farms were like a patchwork of colors. On the ground the fields turned out to be filled with growing corn, tobacco, and grapevines. Unlike Indiana, the acres of grapevines far outnumbered the acres of corn.

The villages were charming, the countryside was rolling, and the French were warm and friendly. I soon realized that it is this area of France that is dubbed the cradle of civilization. And, this section of the valley included fighting during the Hundred Years’ War. As evidence, on the north bank of the Dordogne still stands the mighty Beynac French Fortress. Upriver on the opposite side still stands the English Chateau de Castelnaud.

I discovered that even today the region is divided in its cultural beliefs and attitudes. It some ways, it reminded me of differences between the North and South where the Mason-Dixon Line is the divide.

In the Aquitaine region of France, the dividing line is the Dordogne River. Today the region bustles with canoes gliding down the river, little cafes are everywhere, markets are abundant, and every turn on every street creates a scene to remember.