Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Visiting Pézenas on the way to Perpignan and Canet-en-Roussillon

Pézenas is a small medieval town about 60 km (37 miles) from Montpellier with beautiful cobblestone streets lined with craft workshops and mansions from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.  It's market day when I arrive and I stroll the city streets and visit the market stalls on a comfortable fall day.


 Streets of Pézenas 





 Market day in the main square

I'm on my way to Perpignan, on the Mediterranean 38 km (24 miles) from the Spanish border, and I continue out of Pézenas to the autoroute that takes me along the sea to Perpignan.  I'm staying at the beach in the small town of Canet-en-Roussillon, about 10 km (6 miles) from Perpignan.  I arrive and stroll the beach.  What a change from Pézenas!  I settle in and wander along the beach to the harbor.


Along the beach


 To the harbor

Returning to my hotel on the beach, I sit on the balcony and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean.  This has been quite a day, visiting the medieval village and ending up at the beach.  What great variety all in this part of France.


 Sunset over the Mediterranean




Friday, October 25, 2019

Montpellier Area Seaside Towns

It's a short drive, tram ride, or bicycle ride (bike path along the river Lez) from Montpellier to the Mediterranean (Mer Méditerranée) and the small fishing and beach communities on the coast near Montpellier:  Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon, Plage le Petit Travers, Plage du Grand Travers, La Grande-Motte, and Le Grau-du-Roi.  I make the short 10 km (6 mile) trip from Montpellier to Palavas-les-Flots and arrive at the beach.

 Found the beach

I wander around Palavas-les-Flots, looking at the fishing boats (with stands next to each to sell catch right off the boat), restaurants across the street from the boats to prepare and serve the fish, and shops and beaches along the way.


 Palavas-les-Flots

 Beaches

The next town, Carnon, has a large harbor and marina, along with the fishing boats, fish stands, restaurants, and beaches, although not many people are out an a rainy fall day.


Carnon

 Fish for sale off the boat


 Beaches

Before the next town, two beaches, Plage le Petit Travers and Plage du Grand Travers offer sun, sand, and sea delights to all.

 More beaches

The town of La Grande Motte provides more of the same, with beaches, modern seafront apartments, and tempting seafood.


 La Grande Motte

The last town on this stretch of coast, Le Grau-de-Roi, is a serious commercial fishing port, with nets piled on the docks near the ships and more great beaches a little further on.




 Le Grau-de-Roi port


Le Grau-de-Roi beaches

What a great adventure, exploring the little villages and beaches on the Mediterranean next to Montpellier.  This is a great trip from town (just take the tram from town for an afternoon on the beach or a dinner of fish fresh off the boat).  I could live here!