Sainte Croix en Jarez: typical and atypical.

Description

This is one of the most beautiful villages in France (official: on the Plus Beaux Villages de France list!), and probably the one with the most nerve! Sainte Croix en Jarez is a 14th century village with a bit of a cheek, squatting as it does an old monastery. A large communal square and a church; the scene is set.

As for the protagonists, well don't bother coming to live here if you prefer your own company. They still live the communal life here, it's like the Neighbours' festival everyday here. "The world turns, but the cross remains" was the motto of the monks before the Revolution and they got it just right. The cross is still here, but the rest has certainly changed. No more silence and austerity, today it's drinks with the neighbours, kids playing tag and visitors are welcome. So, you know what you have to do now...