We've been seeing posters for La Fête des Roses to be held in Camon today, Sunday, May 19. A market, food, and music are promised. Rain is supposed to arrive around 3:00 so we planned to eat lunch there and then come home.
We figured parking would be difficult in this small village, but were surprised when we saw cars parked on the road a kilometer away from the edge of town and people walking along the road.
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| cars parked on left, cars driving into town on right, people walking in the road |
But we pushed onward knowing there was parking near the bridge. But no. Once down in the parking area, there was no turning around. So we followed the lane through the parking and onto a road where traffic was soon at a standstill.
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| a car was oncoming in front of the car with the door open |
You know those one lane wide French roads? Well, this was one of those and four cars ahead of us was a car coming in the opposite direction. Behind us was a parade of cars that had done the same thing we did.
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| cars behind us on the one lane path |
With ditches on either side of the road, there was no place for the oncoming car to turn around so it was backing - very slowly - down the road which had no cross roads or driveways for several kilometers. Finally, the offending car was able to make a y-turn and we began moving. This lovely road path finally ended at the next town over and we started our approach to Camon again, this time parking just over half a mile from the town entrance. Not a very promising start to the day. The maneuver had cost us a half hour of time.
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| parked a half-mile from town |
Once in the village, it was apparent that this small village of 800 was inundated with thousands of fest goers. And while the roses smelled good and looked even better, it was hard to see them through the crowds. So we carried on.
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| cars parked, cars crossing the bridge, cars everywhere |
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| Paulette and roses |
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| More roses and lots of people |
After fighting the crowds through some of the market stalls, we worked our way past the tables set up for the food stalls and exited the main area for the quiet road outside the ramparts where there was breathing room.
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| stalls selling plants took up most of the room on the road |
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| Dave, Judy, Paulette, and Dan take a bench outside the village walls |
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| Paulette walking up from the cemetery |
We walked the rampart road past the church and around the end of the abbey (now a private bed and breakfast hotel), and down to the public bathrooms, where of course there was a line for the single women's stall.
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| the back of the church |
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| The public bathroom was clean, but only one for men and one for women with a sink in the center. So lines were long, even for men. |
We continued along the rampart wall to visit the rest of the merchant stalls, some selling bedding plants, others selling artisan crafts.
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| lots of stalls were selling bedding plants and of course rose bushes |
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| this street is outside the city walls |
Back at the beer stall, Dave had a local wine while we waited for Paulette to finish her shopping. We decided to skip getting lunch after looking at the line of people waiting to pick up their lunch (after having waited in another line to purchase a ticket to turn in at the food counter. We left by the same gate as before and made our way out of the village and back to the car.
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| the beer tent |
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| the tables for eating lunch. The gate to outside the walls is where the sign is on the stone wall. People standing are in line to get their meal |
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| the counter for getting your food is behind these diners |
Today was such a contrast to the last time we were in this village. At that time there were only a few people on the streets and we were able to park very near the mayor's office. (see blogpost from that day here: https://retiredtraveller.blogspot.com/2024/05/pamiers-market-and-camon-may-4-2024.html ) This really is a "Plus Beaux Village" (most beautiful village) but today it was impossible to see its character.
Home for a lovely lunch with all the fresh fruits and vegetables from yesterday to accompany our usual sandwiches and chips. Of course, there was wine. A lovely Tavel hit the spot.
The afternoon was a washout - quite literally - it rained really hard for awhile, making for an afternoon in. A little laundry, a bit of cleaning up, a trip to the recycling in Manses. Followed by a card game (Sevens) and a chicken alfredo pasta dinner.
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| Dan tossing bottles in the glass recycling. It's OK if the bottles break. |
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