Blogs from Molitg-les-Bains, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, Europe

I am not yet clear whether Catalan acrobats perform at every feast or festival or only on special occasions. We certainly felt lucky today when we timed our excursion down the mountain to Prades perfectly, to coincide with the festival of St Pere. Approaching Prades from the highway is spectacular because of Mt Canigou looming above it, and once in town, approaching the main square near the cathedral is spectacular because the footpaths are made of red marble! I couldn't believe it when I looked down. As we emerged from a little laneway near where we parked the car, a great big effigy of St Pere began bobbing in the air and the reedy Catalan wind instruments and drums began to play. It was all slightly surreal, but we decided to go with the flow and ... read more

The last time I wrote about an authentic, unspoiled town in France, it doubled in size in 3 years and went from having only 3 places to stay listed on Trip Advisor, to 103! I am sure it had nothing to do with me, but all the same I'm just a little concerned that Sete and Molitg-les-Bains will go the same way if I don't keep them a secret. We would never have known that the little coastal town of Sete existed if Benoît hadn't recommended it as a a good place to stop for lunch. I don't think the locals don't mind having tourists, but it's not a town set up for them. It's main industry is fish and shellfish, thanks to the canals that feed from the Mediterranean sea to a huge inland body ... read more