Into the Pyrenees - June 7, 2022

For Mad, Chris, and Ron's last day here, we followed one of the Michelin tours of the Pyrenees. We started the day in the usual way, with croissants.

Starting near Foix, about 1/2 hour from Le Cazal (Manses), we wound our way up tortuous, narrow roads to see some spectacular mountain scenery, even if the day was quite hazy.

First stop, Col de Péguere (4500 feet) where we saw this mountain hut with chimney in the back. 

Ron, Chris, Lynn, Mad - No we did not put the stickers on the sign!

mountain hut provides both shelter ....

and a place to build a fire (see the chimney in the back?)

view of the high Pyrenees

telephoto of the high Pyrenees

Then a short hike to the Tour Laffont

the broom is in full bloom

formerly a beacon tower

the view

the path

Selfie with mountains - well worth remembering:

Ron, Chris, Dave, Mad

Another short hike to le Sommet de Portel rewarded hikers with these views.

The hike was short, but steep. That's our car by the road and Chris on the trail.

Ron and Mad (the road is behind them and barely visible) Didn't I say the climb was steep?

The reward is this view.

We found a picnic table outside the Mairie/school in the town of Biert where we ate our lunch. Then took a quick wander through the town center where, of course, the church is located.

This "little library" is located in the bus stop attached to the church.

Across the street is a Municipal Camping which I started to explore while the others went inside the church. Located along the bank of the Arac river, this lovely, well-maintained park reminded me that this little town is probably bustling in the summer. Clearly, some have permanent sites where their campers are covered in tarps for the winter. Some people were already enjoying their campsites and a couple others were opening their camper for the first time this year. There was a very clean bath/shower house (which I took advantage of, Rule Number 2, as Dave says). I wish I had taken photos to show how French campgrounds are organized. Campers are smaller, but added awnings & screen rooms make for more living space. They are close together and, at least in this park, only separated by a couple feet of grass. I saw electric hook-ups, but no water or sewer. I'd be interested to learn how these utilities are managed.

The very friendly campground manager chatted with me for a bit and let me know there was a trailer in the back that could be rented from him. He also took my picture next to the river. People in this area are so friendly and welcoming.

thank you campground manager.

We next drove through the town of Massat....

Look carefully. Do you see the cannons sticking out around this tower? Now that's a fortified church!

needs a little TLC

....to the Col de Port....

Ron reading the sign. We're at 4100 feet here.

....then through Tarascon to le Pont du Diable (Devil's bridge) between Tarascon and Foix. We spent a good amount of time exploring this bridge that is now part of a hiking trail. Of course, there's a devil in the legend of this bridge. In the 13th century, in exchange for building the bridge, the Baron of Saint-Paul will give the soul of the first person to cross the bridge to the devil. Of course, the devil is foiled by the Baron's cleverness. Here's the story from the sign at the bridge.

In actuality, the bridge was built in 1836 to test an innovative type of water wheel that could harness the power of the Ariege river that flows under the bridge. The ruins at the end of the bridge are the remains of the mill house. Sorry to be a myth-buster. (By the way, the Michelin guide tells the devil story but not the true story.)

the Ariege river

Heading home by the quickest route (through a tunnel rather than over the mountain), we stopped in the town of Vals just a few kilometers from Le Cazal to see if the church is open. When we first arrived, there was a sign on the church that it would be open by the end of April or first of May after renovations were completed. However, 

The sign says there's a delay and probably won't open until sometime in the summer.

Oh well, time for last aperos on the patio. But the pool is open and the water is warming up. Time for a little paddle in the water. Summer is coming

Ron & Chris

Umbrellas and sun chairs are ready

The panorama distorts (curves) the image, but the view is fantastic. (Thanks, Mad, for the photos.)

We were able to stay outside until there was only a little color in the sky around 10 pm. What a lovely way to end this visit by such dear friends.

One last aperos