At 10:59 PM 10/16/99 +0100, Jean-Paul Cornec wrote: >> the 1792 engraved stone VD dial >> on church in the village of Camburat, a silent >witness to the capture of >> Robespierre in 1794 prior to his execution by >guillotine in Figac in 1794. >> > >Robespierre was not captured in Camburat but >overthrown in Paris and executed in Paris, not in >Figeac. > >Jean-Paul Cornec > Bon Jour Jean-Paul,
You are correct. The history books and encyclopedias record that Robespierre was captured and executed in Paris and this ended the Reign of Terror. I did not make up the story I told. It is recorded on the information boards for tourists in village squares near Figeac (Camburat and Cardaillac). A poor translation on my part? Perhaps. Je parle Francais un peu. A local legend? Perhaps, encouraged by the local Syndicat d'Initiative. In America all old inns carry on the legend that "George Washington slept here". Watch me. I am liable to invent more stories. Did you know that Roland's famous sword, Durandal, stuck in a cleft in the rock at Rocamadour is actually the gnomon for a vertically declining dial that the pilgrims used as they climbed the steps to the Chapelle Notre-Dame on their knees. Did you know that the scallop shell "Coquille St Jacques" worn by the pilgrims on their way to Santiago is actually a portable sundial?* Did you know that there are sundials on the pillars of the bridge at Cahors?** There are many things to enjoy in France and many stories to tell about what I did for my summer vacation. A bientot, Roger Bailey N 51 W 115 * Check the Artisme catalogue ** Not on the classic Pont Valentre, the signature for Cahors, but the N20-E09 viaduct over D27
