The Cote Vermeille and Cadaqués

From About.com:

The magnificent vistas of the Côte Vermeille have inspired some of the world’s most famous artists—indeed, they sparked an entire style of painting. It’s easy to see why.

As you stand at one of several overlooks, the Mediterranean crashes several stories below. Craggy mountains pierce the sea. Steeply sloping vineyards speckle the landscape and crowd the coastline. Spain’s rugged shore can be spotted just to the south.

I stole the pic above from Randys blog. Please take a peek at it and read about these two places.

From Wikipedia: Cadaqués is a town in the Alt Empordà comarca, in Girona province, Catalonia, Spain. It is on a bay near the Cap de Creus peninsula, on the Costa Brava of the Mediterranean Sea.

THE HAUTE VALLEE

winefields
A view of the Pyrénnées.




Right off the bat, I'll confess, this post is from Randy's blog. The scenery is just so fantastic and she already has pics up! The Haute Vallée of the Aude if that small, hilly region located between Chalabre to the west on the one hand and Limoux and Couiza to the east on the other.

Lac de Montbel

 Lac de Montbel is a reservoir 5 minutes from Chalabre, which is a great location for watersports and swimming. It is located at the border between the Ariège and Aude départements of southwestern France. The mountains of the Pyrenees are visible in the background. 

la boulangerie

Here are a couple of pics that Randy took for me of goodies in la boulangerie which really close to Randys house.  You can read  more about la boulangerie here. Don' these look too good to eat!!

Chateau de Montsegur

Randy says we will probably go to see the Chateau de Montsegur.
Here is some info: from Wikipedia. I am hoping I can make it to the top! It is supposed to be a 45 minute hike up. There are also some great pics here

Where is Chalabre? Where will I be staying?

Chalabre is about 100 km (60  miles) southwest of Toulouse. It is in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is close to the northern border of Spain and west the Mediterranean Sea.

Randy has a nice link to her house. 

Bonjour for now!

Getting ready for France

I've decided to start a blog to document my upcoming trip to France.  My cyber friend Randy has graciously invited me to share her (and JM's) home and to be my tour guide. Randy lives in the south of France near the France/Spain border in a small, quaint, centuries old village called Chalabre. You can read more on the village of Chalabre on Randy's Our Life in Chalabre site. She has wonderful stories, posts and pics. I will probably be posting some of her pics later on. My tickets are bought, my petsitter booked, and I've applied for  my passport!

While you're at it, check out Randy and Raven's children's book.

Bonjour for now!!