Paradise in the Pyrenees

Luis said early on that Duilhac is beautiful in all weather. It is – but there’s nothing like the summer! We just spent a long weekend chilling out completely, leaving London and everything about it behind. Just savouring the stillness, and time does seem to stand still under the warm June sun. Nothing moves, maybe it simmers but that’s it!

We walked across the Col de Croix to the Cascades one day but also spent time just sipping wine at a table in the passage outside our kitchen, and on our good new friends and neighbour’s terrace, which must be the best in the region. (Thank you!!).

The town’s core of elders (all four of them) are out in force, sitting on a bench on the little square next to our house at sunset, chatting away in lively competition with the birds and the bees while slightly alien-looking tourist couples walk past from time to time, observing the goings on of this small world with anthropological interest. To cater to the visitors’ needs, the restaurants La Batteuse and Auberge de Moulin are open daily, as is the Donjon snack and, our favourite, Maylis’ l’Aouzine: best sandwiches in Duilhac, best atmosphere.



The house has reached unparalleled levels of comfort after the acquisition of a 2.5 metres long and very plush sofa for the top floor (which is now the TV room) and a monumental cupboard for the kitchen. Not only does it look pretty good, it feels like home and domestic bliss was complete with me cooking apricot preserve and making elderflower cordial.

Meanwhile Duilhac is getting ready for this year’s Medieval Festival - Médiévales 2009, Grande Fête Médiévale du Château de Peyrepertuse - which will take place 11-13 August and feature archers, falconers, great, meaty banquets, and an artisan market.