Our Area of the Midi

Our Area of the Midi Esperaza
(click on photos to display larger images)

	The town church. Note that the words "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" and the "RF" (Republique Francaise) are above everything else.
	The boules court at the rear of the church. Unfortunately, these poplar trees are no longer there. They were cut down when this wall of the church was renovated a couple of years ago.
	The town square, or "place".
	The fountain at the end of the town square.
	Jambon! This is the window of the butcher shop two doors down from our house.
	The Hotel de Ville - not a hotel, but the town government offices, or mairie. This is on our street, a block or two away.
	Esperaza is home to a serious paleontological museum. Their web site informs us that the museum "houses a permanent exhibition devoted to dinosaurs, which includes fossil bones, eggs and trackways of these animals, as well as life-like reconstructions and a video about the last dinosaurs ever to roam the Earth."

Rennes le Chateau
Ahhh. What can we say? The village of Rennes le Chateau is about 2 miles from Esperaza. It has become a center for new age pilgrims and others seeking, well, something or other. If you want to know more about Rennes le Chateau, you can start here: http://www.rennes-le-chateau.com/default-uk.htm

This is the street leading into the village of Rennes le Chateau. It's a lovely little village, and we were there on a day of perfect weather. The drive to the village is a beautiful one, a narrow road climbing up from the Aude valley along switch backs and turns, with gorgeous views of the surrounding fields and vineyards.

Garden next to the church.

Base of the baptismal font in the church.

Thirsty chien patiently waiting for some kind pilgrim to buy him a little boisson.

Iris garden near where we parked at Rennes le Chateau. Iris seemed to be everywhere, blooming in great huge masses along roadsides. Irises seem to like France quite a bit.

View of Esperaza from Rennes le Chateau.

While we were there, some modern pilgrims appeared on horseback. Actually, a group from a local rental stable on a ride through the area, I think.

View from the parking lot, looking east. The hill in the background is the Pech de Bugarach, a few miles away.

Farther Afield
In between haunting local furniture and department stores, we did get a chance for a couple of days of exploring, east to the Mediterranean and west to what's said to be the most remote area of France, the Quercorb.

La Mer! The Mediterranean Sea. The day was windy, but the water was warm. We could have gone swimming if we had been dressed for it and had the time. This was on April 30th. Amazing to New Englanders!

The Gorges of Galamus. On the way back from the coast, we took what seemed would be an ordinary road west, and ended up on a tiny mountain road hovering along the edge of huge mountain gorges. In places it was wide enough for only one car and oncoming cars, or our car, would have to back up to a some slightly wider area to pass. Beautiful views, but a scary drive!

Cypress trees were common everywhere we went. Many were in graveyards, but these were just lining the crest of the hill over this village in the Quercorb.

The poppies were just coming into flower when we drove to the Quercorb. By the end of the week, they were fluttering by the roadsides everywhere.

Our closest big city is Carcassonne, about a half hour's drive north. It has some more modern parts than what you see in this picture. Click on the picture to go to a web site about this beautiful old city.

	This is the street leading into the village of Rennes le Chateau. It's a lovely little village, and we were there on a day of perfect weather. The drive to the village is a beautiful one, a narrow road climbing up from the Aude valley along switch backs and turns, with gorgeous views of the surrounding fields and vineyards.
	Garden next to the church.
	Base of the baptismal font in the church.
	Thirsty chien patiently waiting for some kind pilgrim to buy him a little boisson.
	Iris garden near where we parked at Rennes le Chateau. Iris seemed to be everywhere, blooming in great huge masses along roadsides. Irises seem to like France quite a bit.
	View of Esperaza from Rennes le Chateau.
	While we were there, some modern pilgrims appeared on horseback. Actually, a group from a local rental stable on a ride through the area, I think.
	View from the parking lot, looking east. The hill in the background is the Pech de Bugarach, a few miles away.

	La Mer! The Mediterranean Sea. The day was windy, but the water was warm. We could have gone swimming if we had been dressed for it and had the time. This was on April 30th. Amazing to New Englanders!
	The Gorges of Galamus. On the way back from the coast, we took what seemed would be an ordinary road west, and ended up on a tiny mountain road hovering along the edge of huge mountain gorges. In places it was wide enough for only one car and oncoming cars, or our car, would have to back up to a some slightly wider area to pass. Beautiful views, but a scary drive!
	Cypress trees were common everywhere we went. Many were in graveyards, but these were just lining the crest of the hill over this village in the Quercorb.
	The poppies were just coming into flower when we drove to the Quercorb. By the end of the week, they were fluttering by the roadsides everywhere.
	Our closest big city is Carcassonne, about a half hour's drive north. It has some more modern parts than what you see in this picture. Click on the picture to go to a web site about this beautiful old city.