Eating, drinking, shopping, swimming
Food Scene
Proper French food, lovely people, and a good value set menu, for when your hunger feels bigger than your wallet 😊
L'Auberge du Dominicain
14 Av. du LauragaisProper French food, lovely people, and a good value set menu, for when your hunger feels bigger than your wallet 😊
A great pizza and a few beers overlooking the rolling hills, spot on, but book early, if you rock up at 9pm it could be a 'Non'....more informal than the Dominicain, and if you want a heated debate about Rugby with the locals at the end of the bar, they'll be happy to oblige 👍
L'Express
1 Av. du LauragaisA great pizza and a few beers overlooking the rolling hills, spot on, but book early, if you rock up at 9pm it could be a 'Non'....more informal than the Dominicain, and if you want a heated debate about Rugby with the locals at the end of the bar, they'll be happy to oblige 👍
More great pizza, a short drive away in a pretty village ...lovely outdoor area, often a medicinal dish of the day, and a very welcoming host, with a large moustache....remember to book early.
Le Roll
More great pizza, a short drive away in a pretty village ...lovely outdoor area, often a medicinal dish of the day, and a very welcoming host, with a large moustache....remember to book early.
A personal favourite, and not just because of the large cocktails.
Ok, it is the large cocktails, but the food is ace, and perfect English is spoken if you're tired and fancy a few hours off.
Next to the pretty canal at Bram, but that does mean the odd bite in Mozzy season...they leave me alone after one tried a nibble and immediately dropped dead, but for the gentler skinned among you wear light linen strides.
This place is a must.
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Restaurant "L'Ile aux Oiseaux"
A personal favourite, and not just because of the large cocktails.
Ok, it is the large cocktails, but the food is ace, and perfect English is spoken if you're tired and fancy a few hours off.
Next to the pretty canal at Bram, but that does mean the odd bite in Mozzy season...they leave me alone after one tried a nibble and immediately dropped dead, but for the gentler skinned among you wear light linen strides.
This place is a must.
There are two bakeries in Montreal. This is the best. I may be assassinated for saying that, baking is a life and death subject in a French village, but show me a lighter and more flakey croissant and you can stay another night for free.
One indisputable fact, you can get coffee at this one and sit outside with something crusty, the bread, not a handsome rugged local.
Pain des lys
14 Av. des TilleulsThere are two bakeries in Montreal. This is the best. I may be assassinated for saying that, baking is a life and death subject in a French village, but show me a lighter and more flakey croissant and you can stay another night for free.
One indisputable fact, you can get coffee at this one and sit outside with something crusty, the bread, not a handsome rugged local.
Stand by for a minor panic as you approach Le Jardin de L'Estagnol, as you pass the lock up of Monsieur Stepteau and several breaker's yards...but if you hold your nerve, you'll find an oasis of utter French decency in the sea of rubble.
Beneath the lavender shutters, the gentle strains of Smoke on the Water....who needs drugs?
Le Jardin de l'Estagnol
1 Rue Benjamin Franklin, 11000 Carcassonne, France
+33 4 68 47 33 17
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8xxyuc5uxmYFg5SA
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Le Jardin de l'Estagnol
1 Rue Benjamin FranklinStand by for a minor panic as you approach Le Jardin de L'Estagnol, as you pass the lock up of Monsieur Stepteau and several breaker's yards...but if you hold your nerve, you'll find an oasis of utter French decency in the sea of rubble.
Beneath the lavender shutters, the gentle strains of Smoke on the Water....who needs drugs?
Le Jardin de l'Estagnol
1 Rue Benjamin Franklin, 11000 Carcassonne, France
+33 4 68 47 33 17
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8xxyuc5uxmYFg5SA
Lunchtime genius. You have to go to Mirepoix anyway, because you do, so why not ice the cake with a memorable lunch? You can't think of a reason why not can you, so that's that.
Not sure if they're serving later in the day, so if time runs away with you, then Le Commerce, under the tree in the courtyard will be just as lovely.
Le Comptoir Gourmand
24 Cr du Maréchal de MirepoixLunchtime genius. You have to go to Mirepoix anyway, because you do, so why not ice the cake with a memorable lunch? You can't think of a reason why not can you, so that's that.
Not sure if they're serving later in the day, so if time runs away with you, then Le Commerce, under the tree in the courtyard will be just as lovely.
Beach
My favourite beach, an hour away, but the location for the film Betty Blue, so why not.
The stilted chalets are still there, above the odd Citroën Mehari, baking in the sun
When you've finished sizzling, a short drive to the old port of Gruissan for the freshest seafood.
Wear your stripey T shirt, this is as French as it gets.
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Gruissan Plage
My favourite beach, an hour away, but the location for the film Betty Blue, so why not.
The stilted chalets are still there, above the odd Citroën Mehari, baking in the sun
When you've finished sizzling, a short drive to the old port of Gruissan for the freshest seafood.
Wear your stripey T shirt, this is as French as it gets.
River Swimming
A good hour's drive, quicker by motorway, but if you go on the B roads I think one of the most beautiful routes you'll ever find. And on arrival, uncrowded, clear watered river swimming as good as anywhere, with grassy banks designed for picnics.
Perhaps leave jumping off the high bridge to the locals however...it left me rather delicate in the Gentlemen's department for at least 24 hours.
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Ribaute
A good hour's drive, quicker by motorway, but if you go on the B roads I think one of the most beautiful routes you'll ever find. And on arrival, uncrowded, clear watered river swimming as good as anywhere, with grassy banks designed for picnics.
Perhaps leave jumping off the high bridge to the locals however...it left me rather delicate in the Gentlemen's department for at least 24 hours.
Sightseeing
The largest and best preserved Medieval walled city in Europe, almost certainly.
Don't be put off by the fact that this was the location for Robin Hood Prince of inaccurate accents, as Kevin Costner proved that he's never been to Nottingham.
Try and avoid peak times as it can be very busy, but beyond the wooden swords and souvenir tea towels, an entirely memorable step back in time.
Top tip...to eat, head out of the walled Cite, into the real Carcassonne town square, for a fine meal at a better price.
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Carcassonne
The largest and best preserved Medieval walled city in Europe, almost certainly.
Don't be put off by the fact that this was the location for Robin Hood Prince of inaccurate accents, as Kevin Costner proved that he's never been to Nottingham.
Try and avoid peak times as it can be very busy, but beyond the wooden swords and souvenir tea towels, an entirely memorable step back in time.
Top tip...to eat, head out of the walled Cite, into the real Carcassonne town square, for a fine meal at a better price.
Lake Swimming
An excellent beach alternative.
With a water park on one side for belly flop fans, really great for kids but keep an eye on the big slide, I've seen some howlers, but also with many quiet civilised stretches, for the gentle swimmer doggy paddling towards the lake side bar.
Sandy stretches, boats for hire, showers, ice creams...
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Lac de la Cavayere
An excellent beach alternative.
With a water park on one side for belly flop fans, really great for kids but keep an eye on the big slide, I've seen some howlers, but also with many quiet civilised stretches, for the gentle swimmer doggy paddling towards the lake side bar.
Sandy stretches, boats for hire, showers, ice creams...
Antiques
Love the old objets d'arts and big piles of French tat? Me too, and you've come to the right neck of the woods....plenty of Trocs and Brocantes to rifle, but this is a favourite.
You may get lucky with under priced mid century pieces, or at the very least come home with a dreadful painting.
CôTé TROC Achat Cash & Dépôt Vente à Mirepoix
Love the old objets d'arts and big piles of French tat? Me too, and you've come to the right neck of the woods....plenty of Trocs and Brocantes to rifle, but this is a favourite.
You may get lucky with under priced mid century pieces, or at the very least come home with a dreadful painting.
Not sure about these pics, but inside you'll find plenty of interesting and irrelevant must haves.
Bruno is a top bloke, and likes to keep things moving so there may be good deals to be had.
When you've finished drive on the the cafe in Fanjeaux, and celebrate.
Batel Bruno
Not sure about these pics, but inside you'll find plenty of interesting and irrelevant must haves.
Bruno is a top bloke, and likes to keep things moving so there may be good deals to be had.
When you've finished drive on the the cafe in Fanjeaux, and celebrate.