Lees in France

My last bucket list item for France came to me about 4 months ago as I was doing ancestry research on my Papa Dewey’s side of the family. The short version of history is that my great(x8) grandfather from the 1600’s lived and worked in Génolhac, France. I descend from his daughter.

Génolhac is a very small village nestled in the Cevennes mountains of central eastern France, less than two hours from me. Jean Pierre Bondurant owned several inn’s for travelers. He and his family eventually fled France due to religious persecution. His family remained Christians, never converting to Catholicism, which was ordered by the King. His family made their way to Manakin, VA as French Huguenots.

Randy encouraged me to take a train to go see and experience the village. I caught the train early. The train schedule allowed me 4 hours to explore this village of 10 streets. When I arrived I was enthralled with the beauty of the hydrangea bushes lining the train station. I did not realize how hilly Génolhac was on a the map. 

I found Jean Pierre’s house and apothecary, which still stands and is a home for a family, located at 42 Grand Rue, 30450 Génolhac, France

My plan for the next 3.5 hours came after visiting the village information center. I walked just about every street following historical signs in the village. I realized many of the signs described village history after the 1600’s, but it was something to do.

Eventually I made my way to a small grocery store and purchased a typical French picnic of baguette, meat, cheese and a red pepper. I was off to walk along the road that reminded me of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

The young guy at the information office sent me on a hike to a secluded water area. This was perfect. I enjoyed the hike and the cool water. The babbling creek and quietness of the forest, minus a few birds, did not disappoint.

This actually exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Expectations I didn’t even know I had. I soaked in the sun on a rock, enjoyed my lunch, and imagined life during the 1600’s the best I could.

On the way home I changed trains in Nimes. Right outside the beautiful train station is a Roman coliseum.