Even though Fenouillet is very small, it does have some distinct ‘suburbs’.

Where we are staying is one of them. It consists of the beautiful home we are staying in with its separate gite (a furnished holiday home) on the opposite side of a very tiny (has to be one-way) road, and a large building that consists of four separate dwellings, some of which are inhabited only infrequently.

A 500m walk away we reach Las Costes, where there are some council flats (we believe), and a further 500m onwards we reach La Vilasse – the main settlement area beneath the ruins of an 11th Century castle.

Mick and I went for a walk yesterday as the sun was shining and we were keen for some fresh air. We decided not to venture too far because Mick had not been well. It was very unusual for him, but he spent most of the day in bed yesterday.

On another day, we will reacquaint ourselves with these ruins – it is not a too difficult walk up to them.

From La Villasse we had a great view of another ruin, Sabarda . A chateau that was built in the 12th Century which was taken over by the Cathars in the 13th Century as a place of refuge during their persecution.

The link I have included here makes for very interesting reading.

This morning as we were driving out of La Vilasse and we met François – a local gentleman who has agreed to give us some French lessons next year. He is a delightful man who loves to walk each day around this area. I hope he has lots of patience.

Last time we were here, we walked down the Gorge de Saint Jaume – it takes us all the way to Caudiès. This waterway is the starting point for our walk and the noise of this gushing fresh water is deafening. We can hear it at our house and often I think it is raining. It is such clear water possibly coming off the peaks surrounding us.

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