2. Arzens to Fanjeaux

We both slept like logs in Arzens and when we awoke… rain!

Thankfully it was relatively light, and there was an open boulangerie just down the road. A coffee and a pastry makes any morning better when you’re walking, and even more so when it’s raining.🌧️🌧️☔️☔️

And so, jackets and pack covers on and happily breakfasted, we set out for Fanjeaux. 

The path was fairly flat to begin.

But pretty soon we were undulating up and down, more up than down it seemed, but with expansive and stunning rural views.

Five kilometres further on we entered the hillside town of Montreal.

On the very top of the hill was this enormous church. Most of the churches we have passed so far have been closed, but testing this door we found it open and in we went.

It was amazingly decorated and a lovely place to meditate (until the cleaning roster team arrived and there was much banging, crashing and loud whispering!!).

We continued through the old town, through an intriguing passage

which led to a small courtyard and the ancient village well.

This partly exposed wall reveals a long and layered past.

What’s not to like about this leafy alleyway?

And then we were out the other side and the path once more meandering across the fields.

Along with grapes and grain, sunflowers seem to be a major crop here. They are a friendly company to walk beside.

Fanjeaux in the distance. Another hill to climb (and no doubt there will be many more in the days ahead). For defensive purposes in past years all these villages were build on hilltops.

The climb was worth it. Fanjeaux is a beautiful little village. The church sits atop the highest point and the (newly renovated 6 bed) pilgrim gite stands beside it (complete with clothes line drying pilgrim gear!).

What to do now? The clothes are washed and drying and supermarket for dinner supplies doesn't open for another hour. Oh, a concert has just started in the courtyard garden next door, why not pause a while and savour??

We’ve just finished another pasta dinner in our gite, shared with Andy. Time for another early night in preparation for a slightly longer stage tomorrow with more rain predicted. Again - thanks for following along. It’s lovely to have your company and comments. 

Bon chemin and blessings to all. 

👣  👣