Sunday 5th November 2017
The weather was definitely beginning to show signs of change and the swallows around us too were becoming restless.
The daylight hours had got shorter and the temperature was beginning to fall, rather more rapidly than we had hoped.
Time to move on and follow that late summer warmth further south.
Having made the decision to head towards Spain, we decided to take a last trip out in the car to visit a few of the surrounding villages of Languedoc-Roussillon.
One of the places was a small village on the Canal du Midi, Le Somail.
We would have loved to cycle there, but 27 kms and an estimated 1hr 17 mins there and the same back, didn’t sound quite so appealing 🙂
Our drive from the campsite took us along the main D11/D5 road; one which had become very familiar to us and was a delight to use.
What made the road lovely were avenues of old plane trees as well as an abundance of vines, in a variety of autumnal hues.
Taking the D607 south after the village of Cabezac, led us to Le Somail. What a charming sight it was.
Once parked up we walked towards the stone bridge and the old chapel. It was just as the tourist information had described. Picture postcard!
As we walked over the bridge we paused to read a plaque about Thomas Jefferson and his links with France.
We imagined that during the summer season this little port would be a vibrant hive of activity. There were several restaurants and boat hire companies along the cobbled banks, as well as a delightful hotel, closed for the season, overlooking the canal. (Other hotels are available).
Luckily for us, we were able to enjoy the serenity and peacefulness of this little port, almost entirely on our own!
Another major attraction is a world renowned antique bookshop , Le Trouvre tout du livre located in Le Somail. Well worth a visit when open 🙂
Back in the car we retraced our journey back as far as Capestang. Then turning south we headed towards Poilhes.Â
Poilhes is in the HĂ©rault department in the Occitanie region.
Next we drove back towards Colombiers to enjoy the views from the hill of EnsĂ©rune, of  L’Étang de Montady.
On our Google Maps we could quite clearly make out a pattern resembling rays of sun but containing water.
It is described as a masterpiece of hydro-agricultural engineering designed in the Middle Ages. Quite spectacular 🙂
Finally we took the opportunity to walk down to the Malpas Tunnel.
It was excavated in 1679 under the hill d’EnsĂ©rune, allowing the passage of the Canal du Midi. It is 165 kms long and Europe’s first navigable canal tunnel.
Situated on the south side of the canal is L’Office de Tourisme de La Domitienne La Maison du Malpas. Well worth a visit if time allows.
Happy memories of our time spent in Colombiers.