Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus) flowers all year round. That is, in Dordogne it thinks the summers too hot and too dry, so it is especially in winter you can find it in flower. In freezing weather when it is really too cold the flowers wilt for a while, but snow is not really a problem, it just goes on flowering.
This year there has not been any snow. Too bad!
When in full bloom the flowers of Common Gorse are very yellow and conspicuous compared to the duller winter colours of other plants. Buds, and also petals,are slightly downy.
Common Gorse loves the edge of chestnut woods, roe deer also. Maybe that's why it has those long thorns. If not, roe deer in search of fresh green would eat all of it.