Day 12a: Sunday: Mass, a Picnic, and the Mayor

Sunday morning we said good-bye to the hotel and headed toward Charolles, a center for many generations of the Daubard family. On the way, we stopped for a few minutes to see one of the oldest living Daubards. Marie Daubard is the widow of Bernard's uncle, Robert Daubard. Bernard thinks she's about 88. She was a most delightful little lady. We caught her preparing lunch; she held a couple of peeled potatoes in her hand as we chatted in the yard.

We met more Daubard cousins before mass at the church in Charolles. Bernard had placed a notice in a regional paper inviting all Daubards in the area to join together for mass on this date. There were several cousins there who until that day were unknown to Bernard.

Charolles is a small, picturesque city at the confluence of two rivers, the Arconce and the Semence. It was the property of the kings of Spain during the XVth century and the House of Austria from 1493-1694. It was united to the French Crown in the XVIIIth century, when Louis XV bought the county from Mademoiselle de Charolais.

Charolles gave its name to the region, Charolais, and to the famous breed of white cattle whose high quality of meat is known all over the world. It is also known for a special pottery called faience, highly decorated in traditional designs. (In Italy such pottery is known as majolica; in the Netherlands and England as delft, and as faience in France, Germany, Spain, and Scandinavia.) The factory in Charolles founded by Hyppolie Prost in 1844 is still in operation, under the Terriers family. Bernard and Fabienne presented us with beautiful examples of this ware.

The church of the Holy Heart dates from the XIXth century. It was built in Neo-Romanesque style of the local yellow stone found in many buildings of the region. It experienced an exterior cleaning and received a new roof a few years ago.

The interior was impressive. There is a campaign underway to refurbish the church organ for the benefit of the community at large. The town sponsors many musical programs with artists from all over the world.

We didn't have time to explore Charolles, but I took this picture of the houses across from the church. They line one of the canals that gives the city the nickname "Venice of Burgundy."

After mass we moved on to the village of Saint-Bonnet-de-Veille-Vigne, once the home of many Daubard ancestors, especially some in Bernard's direct line. We enjoyed a picnic at the village hall. Some of the folks from the previous night's party were there, as well as more Daubards. Bernard displayed his amazing scroll of ancestors and shared his research with the newcomers.

There was yet another presentation. Lloyd presented a second genealogy to the mayor of Saint-Bonnet-de-Veille-Vigne for use of local genealogists. (The mayor, Mssr. Lambeuf, was once married to a Daubard. Daubards were everywhere!)

While we were at the picnic, a cold front passed through, accompanied by a brief, heavy rain.

Our intrepid picnickers weren't fazed. The tables were moved under shelter, and the eating and drinking continued.

Along with the still wines, Bernard served champagne, which he had bottled specially for this event. Lloyd brought home one of the labels. Bernard thought of everything!

Two of the older cousins at the picnic were Jean Max Daubard and his wife.  Their daughter, Noelle Beauchamp, is in the striped blouse. Bernard says Max is a dead ringer for his deceased grandfather, Claude Daubard.

Kathie and Lloyd with two of Bernard's sisters. Beatrice "Canou" on the left, Dominique on the right.

I spotted this sign at the village hall, which advertises local craftsmen and tourist services -- a yellow pages of sorts for the village. It lists an artist who paints; a woodworker; farm equipment; plumbing and heating services; metal recycling and dumpster placement; a café; camping; and a couple of bed and breakfast inns.  Keep in mind that most of these villages have fewer than 500 residents.

After the picnic, many in the group moved on to the nearby cemetery, where many Daubard ancestors are buried.