May 13, 2010 - (Thursday–Ascension Day)

Community Highlights Europe May 13, 2010 - (Thursday–Ascension Day)

Up early. This was the day for dark laundry so as it washed, we caught up on French tv news and read Le Monde. Laundry done, we decided to hang it inside because it was already starting to rain.

For our tour du jour I had suggested Arles-sur-Tech and was nixed for Narbonne so we set off north and fairly soon the sun appeared. Joy! We drove through Fitou but there are no flamingoes this time of year. Arrived in Narbonne and quickly found parking . . . free on a holiday (Ascension Day).

We walked around the corner following church spires and found the canal, a lock and the Office of Tourism. We crossed the little footbridge by the lock and arrived at the Tourist Office just before they closed for lunch. We got a map and directions to an area of many restaurants. Thus began the daily search for lunch. We walked down Cours de la Republique looking at menus and enjoying the lively market on the Promenade opposite. After much research, we decided on Restaurant les Barques [29 Cours de la Republique, 11100 Narbonne, +33 (0)4 6812-2486] They had outside seating but it was chilly for us so we went inside and were the only English speakers there. We got the daily special – hot goat cheese salad, confit de canard and moelleux au chocolat.

Walked back to Hotel de Ville and bought tickets to the entire compound even though we had come to see the Art & History Museum. It’s a package ticket for three days. Who knows; if it rains, we may go back. We climbed to the museum on the third floor, had our passes punched and entered. It’s an odd collection of paintings mostly “from the school of” and faience. There was a Breughel, our reason for coming, a Rousseau, Poussin and a couple others. The surprise was a new Moroccan section with paintings having an Oriental influence. The gallery was done up like a Moroccan Palace and had verses painted on the walls. It was very interesting.

Next we tried to visit the church and couldn’t get in. Another couple was having the same problem. We finally went to the ticket office for directions and the lady didn’t speak any English. We made ourselves understood and she gave us directions and we set off around the block where, sure enough, we found the entrance.

We went through the church and cloister but the sun had disappeared again so it was quite dark. I got much better pictures ten years ago. It was getting late so we set off in the rain for our car. I had foolishly left my umbrella in the car so wrapped my camera in my scarf for the walk.

We retrieved the car and drove back to Canet where Ed bought our evening baguette and we drove to the church for a 6:30 Mass. We parked and walked along the beach to the church, entered and sat down. Eventually an older man came over and asked Ed if he would be the lector for the Mass. Do we look French?! Ed politely declined, not wishing to confuse the congregation.

Walking back to the car afterwards, it was apparent they had had a very heavy rain . . . huge puddles and one flooded parking lot. What strange weather . . .

This featured blog entry was written by Beausoleil from the blog The Dordogne and Languedoc-Roussillon.
Read comments or Subscribe