June 6, 2009 - A day on the road

We stayed at a rather seedy campsite just a short bicycle ride away from Saint Martin de Londres. The following day, we headed to Carcassonne which was to be the most south-westerly point of our tour. As usual, we stayed off of the freeways (Autoroutes) and meandered mainly along "D" roads. The total journey for the day was less than 100 miles (nonetheless, as much as we generally seek to do) and we passed through numerous villages and one large town. The pictures for this post illustrate elements of some of the villages and the roads connecting them. Click here for a short journey through southern France.

June 4, 2009 - Lussan, France

Continuing our southwesterly ride across southern France, my Main Squeeze noticed another of those tiny knots of streets a mile or so off to the north, this one going by the name Lussan. Ready for an afternoon break, we made the short diversion and parked in a field set aside for that purpose at the foot of the steep climb up into town.
Lussan has a population of 365, plus or minus a few, and seems to have survived for no other purpose than to amuse and delight visitors. The population actually peaked in the 19th century at about 1600, with silk being the major industry. The valley was filled with mulbery trees and silk worms ruled.
Imports from French overseas possessions crippled the trade by the beginning of the 20th century and WWI finished it entirely. Although the entire village is less than 250 yards in diameter it has lots to offer the curious. See here for some sights around town.