The weather’s great for a January Monday. I feel like stretching my legs and taking a breath of fresh air.
I’m meeting up with the president of the association who started the project at 10 am at Taingy City Hall. She’s going to be our guide during the walk.
Taingy , is a small, and well preserved village in Forterre, south-west of Auxerre. Today, the village counts 300 inhabitants, a handful of die hard in love with their village. They have formed an association « Les amis du Patrimoine » (Friends of Heritage) to keep alive and preserve the village’ heritage. Their festival of live arts « Taingy dans la rue » (Taingy in the street), where everyone meet to chat, eat and watch the companies perform on the village square, is a must. Warm and festive atmosphere, guaranteed!
And lately they came up with this idea of the decorated shop signs walk.
During the 19th century, there were some sixty shopkeepers and craftsmen in Taigny and the life of the village was punctuated by patron saint festivals and fairs. So to highlight this heritage, the association asked local contemporary artists to create, in wood, sandstone or iron, the signs of 28 trades. And it’s up to you to you to find them out during the walk … They are to be found on the houses of the old grocery shop i.e today’s grocer’s, the cooper’s, the baker’s… And be curious enough as to open the door of St Martin’s church to admire Saint -Roch. You should also explore the wash house… there’s a thousand hidden treasures to discover during the walk : the wash-house, the spring, the crosses and Calvaries …
Bring a snack for the children, there’s tables and swings awaiting for you in the heart of the village: the ideal break after a 4km walk. If you still have enough energy why not continue the walk to the orientation table, highest point at 368 meters with a 360° panoramic view!
Information leaflets and tour map are available in the village centre.
More info at : amispatrimoinetaingy.wordpress.com