ESW

Can anyone give me any information about this?
http://www.lebournat.fr/

We enjoy ecomuseums about how people used to live. The only thing that concerns me is the funfair, especially as this is flagged up as a major attraction. (A definite no-no for us). I'm a bit concerned that the emphasis may be on fun and entertainment rather than social history, which is what we are after.

Thanks

StCirq

It's total kitsch. If you are truly interested in what a bournat is, go to the actual one in Les Eyzies.

ESW

Thank you, that was the impression I was getting.

Which is the one you are refering to in les Eyzies, please?

StCirq

There is a real bournat in Les Eyzies, roughly across the street from the Post Office. It may have odd hours or have nothing going on when you stop by. Also, just about any materials they have on display or for information are likely to be in Occitan. It gets very busy around the time of the félibrée but may be fairly quiet the rest of the year.

But if a Williamsburg-like experience to learn about what life was like in earlier days in the Périgord will suffice, the Village du Bournat does that just fine. You can skip the fun-fair part. That whole park area is devoted to tourism. The acquarium (which is pretty interesting) is next door, and there's miniature golf and the municipal swimming pool and snack bars.

Carlux

Sounds like exactly the information you received to your request on Slowtravel.

Jeff801

A perhaps more realistic eco-museum is the 14th century farm village, some 20 kilometers from Salers in Auvergne. It is rarely crowded except when a group of school children arrive. There is a a well done film showing the cycle of the year in the village, and then you are free to wander about at your own pace. You are asked to sit through the film before going through the village.

The only slightly off note was a shot of the menacing wolf stalking the sheep during the winter. When we stepped out of the cabin where the film was shown, the wolf was at the door. He was lying in the shade, and thumped his tail in the dust at every visitor who walked by.

ESW

I think I'll give Village le Bournat a miss and try and find the one you refer to.

Does the word have a meaning? I'd assumed it was a place name, but if there is another in Les Eyzies, it can't be.

StCirq

It's the Occitan word for beehive (ruche in French). It's essentially a community house.

ESW

Thank you. The next question is - why is the word used for the Village le Bournat? Surely this is a lot more than the communal house?

StCirq

Because the purpose of the bournat (or lo bornat) was to bring people together to preserve and foster the Occitan language and traditions and more generally the customs of the people of the area. The Village du Bournat is just a modern-day extension of that concept turned into a sort of theme park. I don't even think there is a communal house in the Village du Bournat.

http://www.lobornat.org/

ESW

Right, I understand now. Thank you for the explanation.