Visiting Sommières (15 October 2024)

 

Roman bridge - Sommières

Bev had bought her sister a book about living in France called Pardon My French written by an Australian woman who, with her family, spent a year in France.  The village she chose to stay in was called Sommières.  Bev and I both read the book and were intrigued by the account of someone who arrived with very little French.  Her descriptions of the town intrigued us and as we were nearby and it was on the route to Carcassonne we thought we would call in and visit. 

Street scene




I had no expectations thinking that it would be yet another old medieval village, but it was one that surprised.  The village has ancient origins with the bridge across the river having been built 2000 years ago.  Of course it has been repaired and rebuilt a number of times but it is still on about seven arches.  It had a few more but they have been incorporated into a number of houses.  It was really charming - the buildings were old and no street was straight. We had to park on the outskirts of the village as there was no parking closer in.

 

We spent much longer than intended wandering around the village and had morning tea and lunch there before we continued on our journey to Carcassonne.  Staying off the autoroute means a much longer and slower journey but the advantage is getting to see parts of the countryside not seen travelling at 130kph. 

 

A couple of us were in need of a “nature” break as they would say in the Tour de France and suddenly we found ourselves on a narrow road alongside the Canal du Midi.  Shortly after, we came across a place where boats were moored. Conveniently there was a toilet and it was also a welcome break from driving. 
Canal du Midi
By the time we got to Carcassonne there were showers around and it was rather gloomy.  Nonetheless we easily found our Airbnb and even better some parking that was free. 

 

Cassoulet

Bev had asked for recommendations of places to eat nearby and we were given several.  We selected one and as were in Carcassonne and Cassoulet territory we all ordered one.  It is a very simple dish but it was tasty and really filling.  It was quite a highlight for me as the first cassoulet I ever had was in Carcassonne 19 years ago and I wanted to repeat the experience.  The weather was not much different either although I recall it being a bit cooler.



Clocktower sitting on one of the former bridge arches


The town square


Coffee and pastries


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