Haute l'Aude & Bourgogne

September - October 2021

10 days in the south of France, exploring medieval towns, castles and their nature!
...and then some. Read more

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Traveler Haute l'Aude & Bourgogne
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- Sep 25, 2021, 11:00pm
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 148 m
- Germany Rheinland-Pfalz Trier 49.74999, 6.6371449°44’60” N 6°38’14” E
Day 1
The road to nowhere
September 25, 2021 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
After some failed attempts to nap for both of us (I was working until 6, Luka had to take on a friend's child in the middle of the night), we decided to start our trip.
One thing is for sure:
The highway seems to not only be faster, but also safer at night.
Les Vosges were filled wirh foggy streets, we near missed a mother deer running after her child, passed a boar eating with two meters distance and drove over what seemed like an already dead raccoon.
After a short 1 hr nap break at a creepy gasstation we both were so sleepy that we took the next one available to sleep a bit more.
This time continuing the highways, the ride was not only faster, but also way more safe.
No more animals, yay.
Oh.. and it's weird waking up to some dudes playing with their dicks in the next car.Read more
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- Sep 26, 2021, 7:00pm
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- France Occitania Gruissan Étang de Gruissan 43.10705, 3.0861843°6’25” N 3°5’10” E
Day 2
Gruissan
September 26, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Arrival day.
After unpacking our stuff we decided to check the local beach, even though we were both so tired from the ride and a lack of sleep.
We found ourselves among surprisingly many people.
The water was still pleasantly nice for the mild temperatures.
After taking a nap we went to discover Gruissan a little bit.
Aside from cute narrow streets and castle ruins in the middle, the place didn't have too much to offer.
It was just enough to start the vacation though.
Just when we tried to find a restaurant and make the signs with the offers make sense, Luka got shat on by a damn pigeon.
Anyway.. we found a place, got eaten up by mosquitos, as were the rest of the guests and placed or order..
Moules frites and burgers.. service staff will like that.
And hear these words of advice:
Mind birds from above and take caution under trees with poop.Read more
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- Sep 27, 2021, 11:00am
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- France Occitania Narbonne 43.18428, 3.0030843°11’3” N 3°0’11” E
Day 3
Narbonne
September 27, 2021 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
After discovering that we probably packed the whole house for nothing - we had a wahung machine in our little beach house - we went to buy some breakfast.
Today we took it to a larger city closeby, Narbonne.
Narbonne is a surpisingly lively small scale city, with lots of mediterranean flair and a historic center completed by a rather stinky canal.
There should be more unfinished cathedrals as they make for strangely beautiful sights.
Mondays are rest days here.. the good life.
Some french law says, people should have at least 35 hours between working once per werk and since saturday is shopping day, most shops decide to remain closed on mondays.
Today's words of advice:
Check your cups for lipstick residue.Read more
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- Sep 28, 2021, 1:53pm
- ☁️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 112 m
- France Occitania Carcassonne 43.21307, 2.3514643°12’47” N 2°21’5” E
Day 4
Carcasonne & La Cité
September 28, 2021 in France ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Beautiful narrow streets in the center with small boutiques, a nice walk up to the medieval Cité.
Stunning views of the Pyrennées, and a 90 minute walk through the walls included.
Listen to service staff though, otherwise you will end up with menthol lemonade.

On a different note:
Parking here seems to be cheaper than in most countries.
So don't be afraid to take the garages to leave your car for hours on end.
Choosing the highways or the routes nationale seems to be more of a personal preference decision.
One goes a bit faster, one might take you through cute towns and some nice scenery.Read more
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- Sep 28, 2021, 7:06pm
- ☁️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 130 m
- France Occitania Lagrasse Alsou 43.09174, 2.6173343°5’30” N 2°37’2” E
Day 4
Lagrasse
September 28, 2021 in France ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Mountainous ride ahead!
Make sure to not take the highway, as you will miss some stunning views.
Beautiful town, actually one of the most beautiful in France according to Les plus beaux villages de France.
The abbey was closed though, we could only see that one from outside.
Oh.. and the toilets are ineteresting.Read more
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- Sep 29, 2021, 3:46pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 54 m
- France Occitania Perpignan Palace of the Kings of Majorca 42.69437, 2.8949842°41’40” N 2°53’42” E
Day 5
Perpignan
September 29, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Vibrant city full of sights and streetart.
The Palais roi de Majorque is closed on tuesdays though, which was a bit of a downer.
The markets had some nice food in store for us.
Catalán influence is visible all over.
Memo: Learn how to order coffee.. or get over the fact that coffee as in a full cup of coffee is just too German.
By now we were actually thinking it would have been better to go further down south with our Airbnb.
While the house in the holiday village is perfectly fine, life seems to be taking place somewhere else off season.
Stores and restaurants remain closed, only one or two were still opening for what seems to be the Longuedoc hardliners that are here in late september-october.
Le Croqi is definitely the place to be. ;)Read more
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- Sep 29, 2021, 5:07pm
- ☀️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- France Occitania Salses-le-Château Castell de Salses 42.83904, 2.9181442°50’21” N 2°55’5” E
Day 5
Fortresse de Salses
September 29, 2021 in France ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
One of a kind tour just for the two of us.
Impressive fortress, intriguing architecture, smart building.
They even thought of rain canals as a source of water in 1497.
Even though she said her english was not good, it was perfectly understandable.
It made up for the closed Palais in Perpignan.Read more
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- Sep 30, 2021, 12:28pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- France Occitania Collioure Anse de la Baleta 42.52632, 3.083142°31’35” N 3°4’59” E
Day 6
Collioure
September 30, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
This is a beautiful village, if I have ever seen one.
Well integrated in the cliffs you will find a church, a lighthouse and a royal castle next to the tiny streets, restaurants down the canal and bars by the rocky beaches.
Just a few kilometers outside of the town, some beautiful and private beaches in the bayous cliffs were inviting us for a dive.
I finally made my peace with double espressi as well.
Back home in our place for the first time we (rather I) have tried to cook with the limited equipment given in a beach house.
While the induction plates worked a little a bit too well, let's just say the sauce bolognese went on to become more of a soupe d'hachè viande.
Well.. enjoy!Read more
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- Sep 30, 2021, 4:51pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 147 m
- France Occitania les Bateries Ansa Dels Reguers 42.51802, 3.092842°31’5” N 3°5’34” E
Day 6
Fort St Elme
September 30, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Visible from afar and standing strong on the top of the hill you will find Fort St Elme.
It will give you some stunning views over the landscape, sea on one side, mountains on the other.
Seeing it really sparks a jealousy of where people live.
The fort itself provides a nice walk through the french and spanish fortifications and some old weaponry in the tower that you can climb for one of the most stunning views I have had on this trip.Read more
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- Oct 1, 2021, 2:00pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 6 m
- France Occitania Narbonne Narbonne-Plage 43.16192, 3.1680543°9’43” N 3°10’5” E
Day 7
Beachday & resting
October 1, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
It seems like a shift of plans is highly likely now.
We saw so many things that took us down south that we plan on going down to Barcelona not one, but two or even three nights.
Today, after some laundry and cleaning, we went to the beach here for probably the last time.
While having it to yourself does have it's benefits, it does leave an alienating feeling.
The emptiness feels almost unwelcoming.
The water is still nice and warm though.
But all in all, we found ourselves here at the end of a season that just waits to be finished.
Highlight of today:
Dinner in the beautiful city of Narbonne.
We we're walking around the canal to find a place and ended up in a small street.
We found a restaurant which also was a butchery.
They had one thing on the menu: steak.
Wine was 1€ per centimeter, fries were handcut potatoes, dessert was a choice of cheesecake, creme brulee, mousse or rum cake.
It was delicious.
Just that one group of 20 people standing next our table for a cigarette was.. interesting.
But all in all an experience worth of a turn.
And: for the first time this summer, I am experiencing a slight sunburn. Tssss.Read more
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