The Road to Narbonne

Friday, May 10th-2019

If it’s Friday it must be Narbonne along the Canal de la Robine. 

This was Monsieur Honey & I’s first visit to Narbonne other than the train station to take a connecting train many years ago.

We found a parking spot in a lot along the Canal. 

Our first destination was Les Halles (circa 1901) a magnificent building housing the indoor market place. 

It is open daily from 7AM-2PM. 

Some architectural detail

I’d say if you can’t find what you’re looking for here it probably doesn’t exist.

The market vendors sell all products from A to Z ... from anchovies to zucchinis with everything in between. 

Fresh baked goods from “Le pain to patisseries”, cheeses, butchers of every kind (beef, pork, poultry, etc.), fish mongers,  fresh fruits and vegetables of every sort, olives, oils, spices and of course wines. 

Beautiful fresh flowers ...

There are several restaurants within the Market Hall ... 

After our “market fix” or should I say my fix (I love French markets), we wandered along the canal and crossed the river to the other side where the majestic Cathedral Saint Just and Saint Pasteur is located. 

Construction started April 3rd 1282. It has a long history during it’s time of building. The choir* was completed in the 1330s and then in 1345 work was stopped due to the Hundred Year War. 

*A choir, also sometimes called quire, is the area of a church or cathedral that provides seating for the clergy and church choir. It is in the western part of the chancel, between the nave and the sanctuary, which houses the altar and Church tabernacle. Wikipedia

Work continued later and into the 1840s. 

It is dedicated to two Spanish brothers & martyrs Justus and Pastor from the late IIIrd century. 

We visited the Church each with our own reasons. 

We enjoyed an excellent Mediterranean tapas lunch at La Rotonde before exploring some more.

  

Some magnificent architecture ...

Here in the main square is a portion of the “Via Domita” the historic Roman Road.

The Via Domitia was the first Roman road built in Gaul that linked Italy to Spain dating to 118BC.

What history! 

The gargoyles overlooking the church grounds ...

Narbonne is definitely worth another visit ... 

More to Carcassonne than the Cité.

We’ve been watching the weather in order to choose the better/best days for outdoor activities. 

Jennifer is only here for seven days and it’s her first visit to “La Belle France” so we’re trying to make the most of her time here. 

We settled on a visit to Carcassonne for today, Thursday, May 9th ... the weather man is promising sunshine!

Twice in one week Monsieur Honey & I visited with the grand Dame Carcas. 

She stood out in her glory against the blue, blue skies today. 

(If you want some history on Carcassonne read the post “Legends and Cars of Carcassonne” posted on May 15th.)

We strolled thru the inner cobble-stoned streets flanked by the many tourist shops in the medieval Cité. 

Some are your typical “Disney” type selling traditional souvenirs, however, there are some more interesting boutique shops.

This shop’s owner provided excellent service and his merchandise was of good quality. 

Monsieur Honey typically doesn’t like to wear anything with advertisement, but here he made an exception with a “Carcassonne” T-shirt.

We later wandered around the outside of the inner walls ...which provided views of the other Carcassonne. 

Panoramic view over the “new town” below.

The rest of our day was spent in the Place Carnot area. 

We found a table in the square to enjoy some lunch in the sunshine, followed by some retail therapy at the boutique shops. 

The fountain in the square ...


My companions look happy after some great tasting food while catching some rays in the glorious sunshine. 

Tapas for lunch ... delicious! 

The restaurant front we sat in the square opposite ... 

The square is surrounded by apartment buildings with interesting architectural details and fancy railings.

Lamppost in the square ...

As I finish this post this morning, I realize that a week ago today we were heading back to the airport in Toulouse for Jennifer’s return flight.  

Time goes so quickly ...

I’ll be back with more of our travels with Jenn to Narbonne, Cerét, Bram, Mirepoix and Gruissan. 

Such a pretty basket of flowers ... 

Return to Caunes-Minervois

After our gourmet lunch in Villeneuve-Minervois, we continued on to Caunes-Minervois. 

First a little history about the town and our rendezvous with Caunes-Minervois ... and then mostly a pictorial post.  

The shutter on my camera phone is constantly clicking.  

It’s difficult to choose what to share. 

I hope you enjoy. 

“Caunes-Minervois is a small medieval town and commune in the Aude department in the Occitanie region in southern France. It is known particularly for its ancient Abbey, dating from the eighth century, and the outstanding red marble that has been quarried locally from Roman times. The name may derive from the ancient local Occitan word for cave, “cauna”, of which there are a number in the immediate area.”... Wikipedia 

“The ancient quarry is called "du roy" in reference to the sun king who ordered massive blocks to ornate the Trianon of his palace in Versailles. This red marble can also be seen in other monuments of Paris, Rome and many churches and bourgeois houses in the region”. Info from Aude Tourism.

In the summer of 2005,  we spent a week in Caunes-Minervois at Maison des Remparts with our friends D & S ...

the house is still standing but I don’t believe it’s still operating as a gite. 

We had a great view over the village allotments ... and today, there were several of the residents working in their garden patch! 

We discovered that there was a “Marche du Printemps” happening at the ancient Abbey. 

Various vendors, artisans selling their creations. 

Families enjoying the May 8th holiday.

Jennifer checking out the unique jewelry ...

A flower stand ...

Donkey rides for the kids. 

Monsieur Honey playing peekaboo ...

A posed Jennifer in the sunshine ...

Throughout the town there are many pink sculptures made from the famous marble. 

A table for two by the pink marble fountain ...

Along the river walk, many sculptures are displayed from the 2007  Symposium that was held here.

It’s difficult to see in the photo ... the shutters were in the similar shade / tone as these beautiful plants .

The ancient lavoir that is still in use .

One of many ancient homes framed in rose bushes,  accessoried with a pink marble step and bench. 

Hello Toro! 

Monsieur this might be a nice addition in our courtyard? 

We enjoyed a full and busy day in the Minervois region!