Day 15, Tuesday 19 May 2026
Yesterday we had a lovely rest day on the Canal du Midi but we had to move due to construction works beginning on the track. After our morning walk we returned 4km to the place we stayed in 2022 near the de Guerre lock. Mark polished up Bluey and we did some planning on which way we will go through the Pyrenees into Spain.
The next day we started our day at the shopping centre in CASTELNAUDARY. We popped on a wash and dry and also filled up the fridge. We found a parking spot closer into town and went for a quick walk. There were a few interesting buildings but the main attraction was the port and basin that is part of the Canal du Midi.
Our next stop was MIREPOIX, also visited in 2022, but today there was no market and we could better enjoy the beautiful square with its many timber houses and daubed walls supported by enormous wooden pillars. The houses above the shops, cafes and restaurants all reflecting the medieval history.
One particular building has carved decorations typical of medieval industry. From bearded men, to alligators and tortoises, to tragic faces .. there are 103 of them.
Saint-Maurice’s Cathedral took forever to build, but has French Gothic influences. Its’ 22-metre-wide nave, (the central part of the church) makes it the second largest in Europe (Girona in Spain has the largest).
We finally get a kebab for lunch… it was ok but not the best we have had.
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| These are still seen in most towns …ooohlala love is in the air |
We then used the dump point and filled up with fuel before we set off via Lavelanet a village that had a strong textile industry.
We then drove the remains of the cathar stronghold in MONTSEGUR. As we approached we saw It perched on a rocky cliff at 1207m altitude. It’s had a tumultuous past especially when the Catholic Church undertook a crusade to eliminate all "heretics" cathars (a religious deviance that appears in Languedoc)
At the beginning of the 13th Century the castle became one of the last refuges of these " men », persecuted by the Church. It was here that the last of the catharsis were defeated with more than 200 burned at the stake.
We weren’t too sure if we would make it up the hill to the ruins, but we decided to give it a go. Although we paid €6 each to go up we did notice another path from the road side that would be free! We surprised ourselves, making it to the top in 25mins where we were rewarded with stunning views of the Pyrenees and the valley. It was worth definitely worth it.
On our return we find a levelling parking spot and settle in for the night along with a few others… enjoying the views and the weather.
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| 80km today |
