Languedoc Before Lockdown - Part I
Easter Break Trip: March 28 - April 2, 2021
Salt Flats in Parc Narbonnaise
We knew travelling in a pandemic would be tricky, so I was prepared to expect the unexpected. Initially we planned to spend the first four days of our trip in the Languedoc-Rousillon area of France (which, since 2016 forms part of the greater Occitanie region), followed by four days in the tiny Pyrenees-Orientales region (adjacent to Andorra and known as the “Catalan” Country of France, and finally four days in the French Basque country.
However, things took a turn when the French president, Macron, announced that France would be entering it’s third lockdown. Under the new measures, French citizens cannot travel freely beyond 10 km of their homes, and the curfew starting at 7pm will continue. Given that we wouldn´t be able to travel freely around the country, we had to change our plans! Fortunately, the same day France decided to close down, Spain changed the rules to allowed Andorran residents to travel in Spain (at least Catalonia). Spain had been getting a lot of backlash for its hypocritical rules for its citizens. In many cases, it was easier for foreigners to travel in the country than its own residents could between regions. In some cases, it was even easier to fly out of the country and into a different region than it was to cross regions. Prompted by this backlash, and likely further pushed/motivated by the recent visit of the Spanish monarchs to Andorra, Spain eased some of these restrictions, which benefitted us Andorrans.
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, we were able to do quite a lot in the few days of unrestricted travel (although, many things we wanted to do were not available and we of course had the curfew). I’m so glad I had the opportunity to travel to France and I can’t wait to go back!
Toulouse
Since there weren’t many options to rent an automatic car in Andorra, we had to begin our journey, bright and early, by bus, in Toulouse. We picked up the contactless rental car and headed to the city center where we walked around the botanical gardens, perused the open-air market, and checked out Saint Sernin Cathedral. After that, it was off to our lodging in Fleury!
We learned an important lesson: don’t always trust Google Maps! It took us on a “shortcut” that was an incredibly bumpy and narrow dirt road, with cars coming in the opposite direction. Fortunately Chloe did an excellent job getting us through it!
Fleury and Béziers
Carcasonne
While Carcassone might be a popular tourist destination in the before times, the medieval cite was quite dead during the pandemic. Though we could meander the streets, the ramparts and the chateau were closed. I enjoyed the views I could see from in-between the city’s fortifications, and it was nice to take in the landscape and architecture while basically having the whole thing to ourselves.
Exploring the ramparts in Carcasonne!
Narbonne
I judged Narbonne way too early! The first time we drove through to buy groceries, I didn’t find it too nice. However, when we returned to peruse the city, we discovered the beauty of the cathedral—that looks like a castle—and the castle. It was nice to see all the French people out and about!
