Saint-Gaudens

We spent the night in Saint-Gaudens, capital of the Comminges region of southern France. It’s a grittier place than any other we’ve visited; its industries are in plain view, including the large paper mill that pollutes the entire valley. Still, it has an interesting history and some lovely older buildings, many with a pronounced Spanish flavour; an understandable colouring given the town’s proximity to the border.

We ate at a Québécois restaurant astound the corner from our hotel – interesting food, but not on the “must do this again” list. Breakfast at the cafe in the market beside the cathedral was much more interesting. Once again the barista asked us to buy our croissants from the boulangerie along the road – in this case the best croissants we’ve eaten in France so far. Many cafes only sell coffee: anything else you have to find elsewhere.

As we were driving out of Saint-Gaudens – in fact, as we were recovering from another of our Tom Tom’s unplanned diversions – we drove down a side street to find a dog lying in the middle of the road. He looked healthy and happy, but no amount of encouragement or provocation would make him give up his position on the white line. Eventually Richard inched carefully past him and we continued on our way.

Farewell Saint-Gaudens. Under the grime and smoke you may have hidden gems we didn’t discover, but our compass is set for the heights. Pyrénées here we come!

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