AnselmAdorne

I've been thinking a bit more, Ger, and have one suggestion to pass on. As you drive by Narbonne, you will be very near l'Abbaye de Fontfroide, an old Cistercian monastery.

This kind of thing may not appeal to you at all, but the abbey has has been lovingly restored and is an excellent example of the unique Cistercian design. There is ample parking and hourly tours, if I remember correctly. The only down side is that the tours were conducted entirely in French. It's not a problem if you are bilingual; it's a bit difficult if you aren't. They do hand out a some English notes, though, that you can read as you walk around.

You mentioned you have the Green Guide for Languedoc. It's written up there (page 190 in my copy). Oh, one other thing: there is a very good restaurant on the site. We had a pea soup there that we still talk about, and that was in October 2001.

Anselm

OReilly

Anselm: Thanks; I will definitely fit Sete in. I am OK with gritty. Also, yes, I AM into abbeys and will try to work it in. Taking the tour in French does not bother me as I can grasp the important bits and am mostly interested in admiring the architecture. I appreciate your suggestions.

Elle: Oddly, I usually find myself in the same position – he drives, I schlep luggage Perhaps I should skip the “magpie” wine; I chatter indiscreetly with the best of them! Thanks for the feedback on the hotel. I am still a little nervous, as I e-mailed them three times and faxed them once regarding availability and had no response. I assume that the on-line booking goes to a booking agency and not directly to the hotel. I will have to call to confirm directly with the hotel before I feel comfortable.

Flygirl: “I do hope you are not on one of your glamourous European jaunts when I make it through to your neck of the woods this summer!” Do you want a smack ? I will do my best to work around your dates.

Thanks all

Regards Ger

cigalechanta

Ger, have you tried Le Jardin de les Sens? This hotel has a very well know restaurant by the same name.

cigalechanta

I forgot to post the url.


http://www.jardin-des-sens.com/

OReilly

Wow, that look wonderful Mimi. I'll try to get a table. I wish I'd seen this before booking the Guilhem

Thanks Mimi.

elle

Do you have this e-mail address for the hotel, Ger? It's how I corresponded with them:

[email protected]

OReilly

Thanks Elle! I have been using the contact info on the site. I will try this e-mail id.

My booking was confirmed electronically, but I would prefer to have a PERSON respond to confirm!

Regards Ger

elle

Yes, those androids are notoriously unreliable. Plus, they chatter indiscreetly.

Bonne chance et bon voyage--looking forward to reading a lovely report after you return.

OReilly

Thanks so much elle!

I e-mailed the hotel last night and they responded this morning. First, they told me that I had a stnd room @ 135 Euros/night. In responded that I had booked a superior room @ 115/night. I received a note offering profuse apologies for the mix-up!

Had I not e-mailed the hotel directly, I would probably have had the arguement when I checked it.

Once more, a Fodorite saves the day

Best regards Ger

elle

So happy to hear that you received your confirmation and everything is all clear!

One of my fond memories from that trip is when he stumbled (exhausted and hungry; we drove from Collioure to Montpellier that day, stopping only in Beziers where my husband had a business appointment) into an Asian restaurant just off of the Egg.

We sat on the terrace. I'm still not totally sure if it was Vietnamese of Chinese; the food was a bit of a fusion. The owner was extremely good looking--to us, he looked like a cross between a young George Harrison and textbook pictures of Genghis Khan.

He was so sweet and solicitous. After we paid our bill, he asked us if we wanted to taste something special. He brought out a bottle of Chinese Rose Wine and poured us each a glass. He was very proud of the wine, but we could barely choke it down. It was like drinking eau de toilette. Still, we walked back to the hotel very happy from the experience.

OReilly

Elle, I have tasted Chinese wine (GAG!), but what a sweet story!

Mimi: I sent a note to Jardins des Sens asking for a reservation on the Fri or Sat for dinner. I suppose it is unlikely I will be successful at this late stage, but no harm in trying.

Regarding restuarants: I have been checking Peter's website for recommendation (what a great resource for the area - well done Peter and thanks). On the Thurs evening

cigalechanta

Wishing you a safe and happy trip.

Peter does a great job on his site.

He goes to Grand Motte on his boat. That must be wonderful.

Good luck with the reservation.

OReilly

Opps .. hit the button too early.

On the Thurs evening, I will be tired after the flights, so I thought I'd have a quick, simple dinner at L'Entrecote (steak 'n chips)
http://www.entrecote.fr/villes/montpellier.htm

If I don't get into "jardins des Sens", can anyone recommend two good restaurants: Moderate-expensive?

Regards Ger

cigalechanta

One option is to sit at the many cafés lined along the Place de la Comédie.
The only other restaurant I know is expensive, Le Chandelier.
We had a terrible lunch at a beautiful spot sur Berges du Lez,
"La Guinguette"specializing in fish.

mpprh

Hi

Just to say I've got my brother staying from New Zealand and I've been doing the sights mentioned above.

I was in Sete & Bouzigues, yesterday, Sommieres market, Nimes, Montpellier, Uzes during the week.

A trip into the Cevennes is planned for today.

The weather is delightful. We've had virtualy no rain (or clouds) since November and currently there is virtually no wind. Forecast is to get warmer.

Enjoy

Peter

mpprh

Hi

Coastal forecast for afternoon tomorrow is sunny 19C - 20C. But I was driving in snow today 50 km away in the hills of the Cevennes !

Peter
www.the-languedoc-page.com

AnselmAdorne

Peter, are you trying to make us drop everything and come over right away? Last Tuesday in Halifax we had 146 kph wind gusts in a rainstorm. This weekend it snowed (again), and I spent 90 minutes this morning shovelling my driveway. The weather at this moment: freezing drizzle.

We're going to France in May. Can't wait.

Anselm

OReilly

OK, I am off. I am in the lounge in Toronto about to board the Paris flight. Upgrade to B/C confirmed so I'll be sipping champers all the way over gt

Thanks for the weather forcast Peter! I packed my summer clothes: I will hold your PERSONALLY responsible if we get a snow-storm in Montpellier.

Anselm: I did not realize you are Canadian. MOVE TO VICTORIA, BC. I just did (from Toronto) and the weather is spectacular!

best regards Ger

AnselmAdorne

Ger, enjoy the MLL and even better, enjoy the upgrade.

Your fellow AC patron,

Anselm

ira

Bon Voyage,Ger.