Friday September 30, Sainte-Croix-de-Quintillargues

The salt ponds at Salin de Giraud

It was back on the road again after meeting our apartment host at 10 am and handing over the keys. We have really enjoyed staying here as it was so handy to town and the location was great.

We are getting used to using the Air B&B app to find self catering accommodation, especially as we really have no plans, just want to follow our noses and explore. Decided to head west and found this place about 20 minutes out of Montpellier.

First stop was an hour’s drive to the salt ponds at Salin de Giraud in the Camargue. The wind was blowing a gale as we climbed up to the observation deck to get a good look over the pink salt ponds. Read that most of the salt from here is used on the roads to melt ice.

But the real highlight for me was as we continued driving out to the coast and saw all the bird life and in particular the flamingos, there were just hundreds of them. They are not as pink as I expected but google could tell me that the ones in zoos are fed lots of carrots to bring their colour out…..not sure about that!!!

The next stop was Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer which proved to be a disappointment, a real tourist trap with lots of shops selling cheap clothing and bric a brac. And everywhere we saw the famous white Camargue horses, in stables and fields just waiting for tourists.  Found a café for lunch and enjoyed a really good paella. Picked up a few supplies and headed to this town, taking a route around the outskirts of Montpellier. It’s a very small village and we had a few issues trying to find the place which was on a one way street. I walked around and found the host who didn’t speak a word of English. We managed and worked out where to drive to the front door and unpack our gear then we parked the car about 200 metres away. But a great find, it has been created in what was a monastery then converted into a wine cellar before becoming this really quirky apartment.

The travel has really caught up with us tonight, guess the after effects of Covid are still playing a hand. No need for a proper dinner tonight after our good lunch, so enjoyed some French bread, boursin cheese and a nice pastry enclosed pate. Looking forward to my bed!!!

Salt mountain!

Not sure that this bird was...looked like a
flamingo but different colour.

Flamingo

 

Ian waiting patiently!!!

The Med looked a bit wild.

Very quirky, but comfortable.