We left Montmorillon on Saturday and headed for Carcassonne, a five hour drive, mostly on A routes. Carcassonne is one of the largest walled medieval cities in Europe. It draws tourists, but is well worth the extra hustle and bustle.
Arriving at our hotel, just a few mètres from the castle itself, we were tired and hot. We checked in, dropped our luggage, then crossed the street to an outdoor cafe for a well deserved rest.
The next morning, c’est mon habitude, I went out early for coffee, while Tricia slept in a bit, responded to her many blog followers, and probably sent messages to friends and family. Thankfully there was at least one place in the walled city open for coffee.
I met back up with Tricia at the hotel for breakfast, them we both went to the city to wander and explore. It was threatening to rain so we took a break at a cafe, Dame Jeanne, before finding lunch. We had a delightful server who was able to smile and be fun, even though she must tire of the onslaught of tourists; she sat on the wall across from us and took a break.
The next morning I had my coffee at the same place but just looked in a different direction for my sketch.
If we turned to the right, out the door of the hotel, we ended up in the “new” city, which just means newer than the ancient city. Tricia was writing a blog, so I walked a bit and found a place to sit and sketch, she joined me shortly.
For some reason, and I do think my recent foray back into acrylics had something to do with it, I wanted to do gouache paints again. So we stopped at a delightful store in Carcassonne so I could pick up some paints – did I ever tell you how thankful I am that Tricia is so supportive of my compulsions?
We drove from Carcassonne to Arles, with a stop along the way in Olonzac to have lunch with our Renestance consultant, and after all this time, our friend, Sarah. It was so good to meet her in person after two years of working together.
Editorial note: If you are thinking of relocating in France hire Renestance, they are a lifesaver when it comes to navigating the famous French bureaucracy. We can’t imagine doing this without Sarah.
We found our BnB in Arles and settled in, well stocked for the evening from all of the goodies we procured at the market day in Olonzac. The next morning I was of course off for coffee. I found a very non-tourist bar, which are my preference, and ordered un cafe doublé, double espresso. I sketched the building across the way, then added the colors, using my new gouache paints, back in the room.
The vivid colors and the creamy texture, along them not being transparent, made me realize why I like gouache.
As you know I send out postcards, a few followers have asked for them and I sent them, so feel free to ask. My favorite person to send cards to is Niki, our daughter – what a good reason to get more time with the gouache paints. I sent her a painting of where we live.
Exploring keeps us young. Travel opens our eyes to new places, as Tricia often shares in her weekly travel quotes. Experimenting with different art materials keeps me young as well.
The last lines of my book, “Let It Be Hot”, is a quote from Jack London, I loved it then and I love it now:
I would rather that my spark burn out in a brilliant blaze than it be stifled by dry rot.
Jack London
theTravelsketcher 
Wonderful sketches
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Beautiful sketches and descriptions of your trip. I’m not interested in dry rot either! Cheers.
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Lots of watercolor sketching going on! Did you share the sketch of the young server taking a break? What is it about French cafes that just make you want to sit down and be a part of the scene….?! Ambience, food….all of it? We’ve been to Carcassonne and Arles. We found the former almost more Spanish than French; an interesting mix. We stayed in a fascinating B&B were the owners had to leave so left the entire place to our disposal. An interesting experience…
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Yes, I did show her while it was in progress. I get what you mean about the Spanish influence.
It is fun to mix it up with paints, a couple of watercolor, just ink, and then a couple of gouache, keeps me from getting bored.
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Lovely post and sketches! I can’t imagine you not sketching or painting. Love the quote too. Thanks for the shoutouts.
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Just as I can’t imagine you not taking photos and writing about interesting places.
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Love the gouache, the colours are brighter.
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It is a different medium for sure.
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Hmmm, feels like a new investment is coming on, I’d better drive faster past the art shop. 😉
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Love your sketches. It’s been many years since I’ve visited Carcassonne. Went to see “the gaggles of geese” that I had read about when young. Didn’t see a single goose but loved Carcassonne…it was before it was so popular.
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Thank you so much. We never saw any geese, but then again since I had never heard of “the gaggles of geese” we were not looking for them… curious. It is quite popular these days, that is for sure.
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These are excellent
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Thank you
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Lovely sketches. I especially like the last one.
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Thank you so much.
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What a lovely telling of your Carrcassone to Arles road trip this post is. It was a delight to read — I almost felt like I was right there with you. (Or definitely wish I were.) Your sketch of the closed umbrellas was wonderful… I kept scrolling back to study it. Thank you for bringing art into my day, Travel Sketcher.
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Glad you liked it. It was on of those time when nothing inspired me so I just sketched what was in front of me, sometimes it just works out.
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