March 31, 2024 – Sainte Gilles to Gallargues-le-Montueux – 27kms – Studio Neuf Proche Camargue

April 1, 2024 – Gallargues-le-Montueux – Vendargues – 25kms – La Domitiene

April 2, 2024 – Vendargues – Montpellier – 12kms – Citadines

Ruth: I tried to write my own lyrics to the Sound of Music’s “Favourite Things” with a French twist, but my rhymes were so bad I just can’t share them.  Consider yourself spared. 

I do love France for so many reasons. It truly is one of my favourite things. They love and preserve their heritage so well here. We have been wandering through beautiful small towns well off the tourist circuit. They have all had lovely historic centres full of old stone buildings draped with wisteria or mock orange. 

Today was a short day into Montpellier, one of only two large cities on the Arles Route (Toulouse is the other). We have a great apartment very close to the old centre, where we await the arrival of our friend Ewa who is flying in tonight to join us for a couple of days. Montpellier has lots to love. There is free public transit for locals – how cool is that!!! Place de la Comédie, the central promenade, is a wonderful expanse of people ringed by beautiful Belle Époque buildings. They also have an unusual 14th century cathedral, which is classic Gothic on the interior, but on the exterior has a porte cochere high enough to pull an oil derrick through.

We have seen a handful of pilgrims, but the ones we have spoken with were just out for a few days over Easter.  We did stay in a lovely pilgrim gîte last night, which we had entirely to ourselves.  There seems to be general knowledge of the Camino, and it is well marked as a Grande Randonnée, but at this point there are few people on it.

And any time now Ewa should arrive – one of my very favourite things!