French Road Trip 2024 - Day 4, 5th October. Perpignan to Montpellier via Narbonne and Sete. 189km
Before heading towards Montpellier for our next overnight stop we decided to explore Perpignan.
Perpignan’s location near the Spanish border means the cultural connection between the two regions is very strong, with many locals speaking and considering themselves both French and Catalan.
Perpignan has a rich artistic heritage, partly thanks to its association with Salvador Dalí, who once referred to Perpignan’s train station as the “center of the universe.”
Driving in any new large city/town can be daunting, especially on a Saturday morning when its busy but we managed to find a very handy car park in one of the main squares, the Place de la République there was even a small market being set up selling local fruit and vegetables, giving this whole square a lovely atmosphere.
As we were here during "Pink October", the month dedicated to the prevention and fight against breast cancer, pretty pink umbrellas were hanging in the patio of the town hall.
Many of the other nearby streets were also decorated with flowers, butterflies and flags etc.
The Cathedral of Saint Jean Baptiste is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, built between the 14th and 16th centuries. It is the city’s main religious building and features an ornate Baroque altar and stained glass windows. The adjoining Campo Santo, one of the largest medieval cloistered cemeteries in France, adds to the cathedral’s historic significance.
There is a lot to see here in Perpignan, and we only managed to see a very small part of the old town but it was really lovely, being filled with artisan shops, boutiques and small cafés, many with outdoor terraces just perfect for enjoying a glass of local wine or coffee, we found one such cafe, who did not serve any food but were more than happy for us to order our coffees and pop across the street to the patisserie for our croissants.
we really enjoyed wandering around, even if we did get slightly lost in the small winding streets, typical of the city’s medieval layout we did eventually manage to find the car park again.
Our next stop on the way to Montpellier was Narbonne, again we were able to find a great parking spot right beside the canal.
Due to the fact we are now both getting on in years and I have a health problem which is causing balance issues sadly this year we will not be doing as much walking as previous years, but still intend to see all the main sights wherever we stop, so using google maps and making sure we mark where we parked the car, we let google show us what is in easy walking distance.
French Road Trip 2024 - Day 4
Narbonne is a historic town still in the Occitanie region of southern France. Narbonne is known for its ancient ruins, stunning Gothic architecture, and proximity to beautiful beaches and vineyards.
Narbonne was founded in 118 BCE as Narbo Martius, the first Roman colony outside of Italy, making it one of the oldest cities in France. During the Roman Empire, it became a major trading hub due to its strategic location along the Via Domitia, the first Roman road built in Gaul, which connected Italy to Spain.
The Canal de la Robine, a branch of the Canal du Midi, runs through the center of Narbonne and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal played a vital role in trade during the 17th century, connecting Narbonne to the Mediterranean.
This picturesque waterway is lined with trees and offers a peaceful place for a stroll, a coffee, or even a boat ride, or simply to enjoy the scenic surroundings.
The Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur, begun in the 13th century, is one of the most stunning examples of Gothic architecture in southern France. Though never fully completed, the cathedral’s massive height and intricate design make it an impressive sight.
The choir and high vaults are some of the tallest in France, standing at 41 meters, and the stained glass windows are among the finest examples of medieval artistry.
The cathedral is part of a larger Archbishop’s Palace complex, which also includes the Palais des Archevêques, home to museums that explore both the city’s history and fine arts.
The Narbonne Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville de Narbonne) is a key landmark located in the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, right in the heart of the historic city center.
The Town Hall is where the city’s administrative functions are managed, and it plays a central role in the civic life of Narbonne, it also contains two museums: Musée d’Art et d’Histoire: Featuring a collection of fine art, historical artifacts, and items showcasing Narbonne’s cultural heritage. and the Musée Archéologique: This museum focuses on the city’s Roman past and includes an extensive collection of Roman artifacts, mosaics, and sculptures.
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville: The square in front of the Town Hall, is a lively area with open-air cafés and surrounded by historical buildings.
A segment of the Via Domitia, the ancient Roman road, is visible in the square, embedded into the ground for visitors to view.
Aux Dames de France is a beautiful, historic building located in the heart of Narbonne, was originally constructed as a department store in the early 20th century and has since become an iconic landmark of the city.
Today, while the department store is no longer in operation, the building has been repurposed and houses various offices and businesses. Its stunning architecture continues to be a focal point and is surrounded by cafes and shops.
The city has preserved much of its historical charm while offering a vibrant modern atmosphere and we both really loved it here even though we only spent a brief couple of hours enjoying the sights, but this is a very easy city to get lost in. We parked beside the river, thinking we could not really lose that so our plan was to find the river and then follow that to find the car again.
Little did we know that the river runs under one of the main shopping streets. After walking for a while wondering where such a big river had disappeared to we had to resort to google maps, only to find we had already crossed it while walking down the shopping street.
You can see where the street above crosses the river in the photo below. We did eventually find the car and I am please to say that the public WC in the car park was NOT a hole in the ground one, but a nice clean "proper" toilet.
French Road Trip 2024 - Day 4
SETE - As it was now quite late in the evening, we did not have as much time as we would have liked here, but its a charming town, with a lovely atmosphere, and we actually heard the words Oh là là, being used, which made us smile.
Sete is often referred to as the "Venice of the Languedoc," this is a charming coastal town known for its canals, seafood, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning seaside views, Sète is a lively and picturesque destination with a rich maritime heritage.
One of the most unique and vibrant traditions in Sète is water jousting, a centuries-old sport that is celebrated during the Fête de la Saint-Louis, held in August, is the most important event of the year, where jousting tournaments take place on the canals.
During these tournaments, participants stand on platforms on the back of boats and attempt to knock each other into the water using lances.
It was now starting to get dark so time for the last leg of today's journey to our accommodation, just outside Montpellier.
French Road Trip 2024, night 4 - Kyriad Direct, Montpellier Saint Jean De Védas - La Peyrière. 47€, free parking.
This hotel was situated on the southern outskirts of Montpellier, in a somewhat industrial area, making it feel more like a hotel for business users, than holidaymakers, but only 5 minutes drive from the city centre.
The room was basic but clean and made a good base for the night, there were two different buildings and we seem to have been placed in the older one, maybe the newer building would have felt a bit different, but it was good value for money for this area and quite adequate for a one nights stay, just glad we did not book it for 2 nights.
Would we use this hotel again if in the area, probably not.
Unfortunately it started to rain, so hoping the weather would be better in the morning and being quiet tired after a busy day we spent the night planning tomorrows journey and accommodation.
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