France 2023 tour.

[Pauljenny]

Now on an aire at Frontignan la Plage. Came across this nugget in pristine condition, what year would you reckon, a guesstamate?
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We boated the Canal du Midi, into the Petit Rhone and up through the Etang du Thau . Then on the Séte canal up to Aigues Mortes.. And into the Camargue.. Several summer holidays, while the kids were growing up.
Then we went back in the motorhome when we became empty nesters.
Arles, Beziers, Port La Nouvelle .... Narbonne .
Do they still have the Guillotine Lock at Frontignan?

Great area.. if you avoid the hot, Mossie season.
Wonderful memories.

 

[tonybvi]

We did similar to Pauljenny. I remember picking my son up from Lyon where he had been on a school skiing trip one Easter in thick snow and driving to Trebes to pick up the canal boat, where it was over 30deg C!
Our Penicuik son in law’s dad lives in Carcassonne so we now have somewhere to stay if we’re not in the motorhome.
It’s a great pity that the aire beside the canal at Trebes is now closed - super place to stay with a great resto just over the lock gates (The Moulin de Trebes)

 

[runnach]

We boated the Canal du Midi, into the Petit Rhone and up through the Etang du Thau . Then on the Séte canal up to Aigues Mortes.. And into the Camargue.. Several summer holidays, while the kids were growing up.
Then we went back in the motorhome when we became empty nesters.
Arles, Beziers, Port La Nouvelle .... Narbonne .
Do they still have the Guillotine Lock at Frontignan?

Great area.. if you avoid the hot, Mossie season.
Wonderful memories.

Hi Paul, certainly an interesting area to tour around, Bea mentioned this being best time to tour, not too busy, while hot, not too hot and, no mozzies. I can’t believe the amount of Flamingos in the numerous lagoons, they are shy, their heads are always buried in the water.

Guillotine Lock still there and operational, first time crossing over we had to wait as a boat was going through, then wacky races with the backlog of motors and scooters as the lock returned to road level. Tomorrow planning a cycle up the canal path towards a tower.
Cheers.…

 

[runnach]

One for the auld canal salties. Check out the blue covered pool on the not so pointy bow, posh or wot!!

 

[runnach]

Nice auld DS leaving the CP.

 

[Barge1914]

Haven’t travelled far today, we are now parked up for the night at St, Maurice Navacelles, village. Tomorrow a drive or cycle over to the Cirque de Navacelles, a UNESCO protected site. Renowned French sculpture Paul Darde studio still remains here, although in a poor state. Attached image is one of his pieces on the roadside. The drive over to here certainly gave a better insight of how harsh and rugged terrain this region is.Haven’t travelled far today, we are now parked up for the night at St, Maurice Navacelles, village. Tomorrow a drive or cycle over to the Cirque de Navacelles,

How close did you manage to get to the Cirque with a van? We’ll be there next year, but don’t have bikes, just unreliable legs.

 

[runnach]

Hi, before you go down to the Cirque, there is a visitor centre and CP, with a section of CP reserved for bus and MH’s. From CP to bottom is 3 kms, then the long slog return trip from bottom to top three hundred metre deep. I intended to do the walk, which meant leaving Bea and dog up top. I was so near yet so far!!

Bea mentioned a small bus runs beginning of July through to September, peak holiday season.
Hope this helps.

 

[runnach]

Carbonnier Tower and views from the top. The numerous lagoons and lakes reminded me of Florida.

 

[runnach]

The views.

 

[Val54]

One for the auld canal salties. Check out the blue covered pool on the not so pointy bow, posh or wot!!
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A bit over the top for the Trent and Mersey or Shropshire Union canals Terry
I'm guessing its not quite mozzie season down on the Camargue?

 

[runnach]

A bit over the top for the Trent and Mersey or Shropshire Union canals Terry
I'm guessing its not quite mozzie season down on the Camargue?

OTT for our Union canal too, Dave. Canal boats are not my forte, that was special and first I have ever viewed with its own wee pool, I wonder if they are looking for a life guard?

No mozzies to date, Dave. We headed further inland this afternoon, on an aire in the town of Comps, chill here for a day or three then head to Arle. Our view from inside the MH.

 

[Barge1914]

Hi, before you go down to the Cirque, there is a visitor centre and CP, with a section of CP reserved for bus and MH’s. From CP to bottom is 3 kms, then the long slog return trip from bottom to top three hundred metre deep. I intended to do the walk, which meant leaving Bea and dog up top. I was so near yet so far!!

Bea mentioned a small bus runs beginning of July through to September, peak holiday season.
Hope this helps.

Thanks that’s good to know, presumably the one at the red spot? I’ll add to my itinerary. Not sure I’ll get down to the bottom and back unless the knee I b……d up this trip improves somewhat.

 

[Pauljenny]

One for the auld canal salties. Check out the blue covered pool on the not so pointy bow, posh or wot!!
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Absolute bloody luxury..
They don't know they were born. !

 

[runnach]

Thanks that’s good to know, presumably the one at the red spot? I’ll add to my itinerary. Not sure I’ll get down to the bottom and back unless the knee I b……d up this trip improves somewhat. View attachment 67376

Morning, yes that is the CP and visitor centre/restaurant. I imagine CP could get very busy peak French holiday time, hence a bud to take visitors down, less traffic to accommodate.

 

[runnach]

Still on the aire at the village of Comps, raining at the moment and of course overcast, still warm and sitting under the awning. Earlier this morning we went for a cycle and came across some wild cherry trees and, we had to pick some, this is what is left after we gave some to a couple from Kent parked next to us.

 

[runnach]

A gent rocked at the aire today to use facilities before moving on. When we were making the move from our old T25 air cooled VW, this was the van for me. We got chatting, I got the tour, what a great MH and, only 500 built.

 

[runnach]

Comps, Garde region.
Arrived at small village of Comps last Sunday and still here, first two nights at the riverside section, then moved to top section where facilities are. Reason, less solar harvest due to trees, beasts a plenty and, exposed when the Mistral winds starts to blow. Up where we are now is behind and below flood defence barriers, giving shelter from the Mistral winds. We created a nice wee spot to ourselves, nice and private. Pic attached. 6€ pn, this includes toilet and pottable water. Most important, it is quite, hence our reason to stay and chill.

Many flood defences are evident, village has suffered lot of flooding from the rivers Gardon and Rhine. See one pic depicting levels in 2002 & 3. Image with measure gauge fixed to house and blue plaques depicting the year of each bad flood. Lots of farm tracks to walk or cycle along. If any members are in the area and looking for a night or two, I would recommend this aire.

 

[Wully]

That wee dug will be able to bark in French it’s been in France so long.

 

[runnach]

It’s the other end that’s the bother Wully wi the variety o food he is eating, from goats cheese to mussels, the result can be eye watering.

 

[The laird]

A gent rocked at the aire today to use facilities before moving on. When we were making the move from our old T25 air cooled VW, this was the van for me. We got chatting, I got the tour, what a great MH and, only 500 built.

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Hymer exsis drop-down bed I think on that