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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 16:11:14 GMT
This may be a somewhat superfluous thread in that Htmb has already delightfully reported on our visit to Narbonne in July. Well, she does things in a timely manner and I do not, plus Lugg's mentioning Narbonne in her lovely ode to the Aude made me think there might be some interest. We needed a stopover in our trek from Toulouse (report pending) to our rendezvous with Kerouac2 in Montpelier. Narbonne was well placed and promised to be interesting. I would characterize it as low-key and pleasant for at least one overnight and with possibilities as a base for exploring the surrounding area. Because of logistics we had decided to forgo the big attraction on our route, but Htmb alerted me to be on the lookout as we passed it on the train ~
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 16:15:22 GMT
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Post by htmb on Oct 23, 2016 17:35:03 GMT
Yes, htmb alerted you to watch out for Carcassonne, then missed it herself.
Nice start, Bixa. I can relive our stop through your eyes!!!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 19:13:30 GMT
Thank you! It's fun to see the similarities and differences in what we recorded. I see that my pics are church-heavy, whereas you got some lovely people shots along with your church ones. Speaking of which, getting to the Cathédrale Saint-Just-Saint-Pasteur and finding a way in was tantamount to being caught in a Borges story, as it always seemed to be right there, yet somehow wasn't. The circuitous route was enjoyable, though ~
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 19:17:45 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 20:10:24 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 22:41:25 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 23, 2016 22:49:44 GMT
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Post by htmb on Oct 23, 2016 23:02:43 GMT
Gosh! I don't remember that last scene.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 24, 2016 2:16:32 GMT
It's pretty cool, isn't it?
In the penultimate picture, that foreground soldier's get up makes me think he might break into a rousing rendition of "Honey Bun" from South Pacific.
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Post by mossie on Oct 24, 2016 10:40:44 GMT
Some lovely pictures inside the church. The apse is reminiscent of La Chapelle in Paris.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 24, 2016 13:00:47 GMT
Thank you, Mossie. I didn't notice that about the apse until you mentioned it. Really, the relatively small size of the Sainte-Chapelle couple with the soaring windows creates a cohesive impact completely different from the huge Gothic churches. Anyway, on to some local architecture and too many telamons. I was quite taken with this house on the way to our hotel and like how the apartment building next to it does a nice job of subtly mirroring its details and gentling the transition to the severe building which follows ~
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 24, 2016 13:25:59 GMT
Crossing the large open space in front of the market, we're on our way to check out the music we can hear on the other side of the canal ~ This area of France has a strong Occitan background and this happy group was celebrating that. There's a great discussion of that in Htmb's thread (link in OP): replies 11--17. I'd seen photos of this dance and envisioned it as quite lively, but what I witnessed in Narbonne was a more stately kicking up of heels ~ There was a small area showcasing Occitan products. The sausages looked good, but it was too hot to get enthusiastic about them ~ More wandering to take advantage of the very long daylight hours ~ The long summer days seemed never to end, but the shut-up market and the setting sun told me it was time to turn in. We were off to more adventures in the south of France the next day -- adventures I'll eventually cover here in my pokey way.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 25, 2016 4:49:47 GMT
Thank you for 'releasing' these splendid photos of Narbonne! Some of our tour group took a day trip there as they had already visited Carcasonne previously - I could quite easily head back to South-Western France in a heartbeat. Tremendous photos!
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Post by lugg on Oct 25, 2016 16:26:16 GMT
Wonderful thread, thank you Bixa. My desire to visit Narbonne has now increased even more. Your photos are wonderful, I love the way you capture the height in the cathedral. The market hall itself is very attractive but inside- positively salivating at your photos ( except at the eels )
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 27, 2016 12:07:04 GMT
Thank you so much, ladies! Tod, your great coverage of that area was a real eye-opener for me. Lugg, I'd so love to meet you there so we could indulge in a taste tour.
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Post by lugg on Sept 28, 2018 9:16:04 GMT
So finally getting my wish and have a trip planned to Narbonne. Re reading these reports (Bixa and Htmb) has heightened my excitement even more. Some great info in them . We ( my sis and I ) are going back to Quillan first for couple of nights to meet up with friends , then Narbonne for 4 nights before of course going to St Laurent de la Cabrerisse to stay in Villa Celine so we can meet up with our god mother and her family. I'm hoping that from Narbonne we can also get further south to Carmargue area which is somewhere I have also wanted to visit for a long time. Any other suggestions welcome ( we will have a car)
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 28, 2018 15:01:58 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Sept 28, 2018 16:06:19 GMT
I'm jealous, lugg, because I have travelled very little this year in France. I didn't make my usual pilgrimage south in July and I really missed it.
When are you making your trip?
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Post by lugg on Sept 28, 2018 17:58:40 GMT
Thank you for the links Bixa will follow them up . Im also keen on maybe visiting Avignon so reading up on that and various other of K2 s posts in this area too. We leave next Friday K2 for 1 week. You maybe slightly jealous, but what adventures you have had elsewhere.
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Post by mossie on Sept 28, 2018 19:09:24 GMT
Having had a holiday some time ago in Provence, Avignon is well worth a visit, but the star for me in that area was Aix en Provence
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Post by lugg on Sept 30, 2018 7:29:23 GMT
Good to know thank you Mossie - I will have a look and see if doable .
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