Stopover in Aigues Mortes in the Camargue en route to Ferrals Les Corbiers just outside Carcassonne.

In 1240, Saint Louis decided to build a city close to his kingdom in order to have a direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. That was here in Aigues-Mortes, in an area of marshes, sand and water. Seven centuries later, the fortification still dominates the Camargue as one of the most well preserved medieval French buildings. Inside the old town there are still houses where locals live alongside all the usual tourist shops.

We took the "Petit Trein" ride around the walled town which gave us a bit of background. In the photo you can see the mountains of salt in the background. The air was lovely and humid with the smell of salt.

We had dinner in the town square at an outdoor restaurant with music probably because it was Saturday and lots of families around.

On Sunday I tried (and failed) to stop in Montpellier for "the best coffee" - just too hard to navigate the town with inadequate maps. We did however manage a stopover and walk around the walled town of Pezenas as it was very close to the freeway. I was hoping to see the town so was pleased we could fit it in. There is a wonderful free museum L'Hotel de Saint Germain donated by a nobelman, Baron Francois de Vulliod which is how the wealthy lived in the 18th century. Some beautiful old tapestries and white marble staircases.