La Canourgue
Suddenly I found myself in the mountains north of Montpellier. It's like to travel back in time hundreds and hundreds of years, back to a time when Jeanne d'Arc lived (1400 century)
You instantly feel welcomed here, like a huge hug from Holy Mary on the hill, watching over the medieval village of La Canourgue, even called by the locals for "La Petite Venise Lozerienne" Little Venice of Lozerienne"
The air is clear and fresh, and the sky is blue and the only thing you can hear is the present of the river Ruiseau de Saint-Saturinin.
Me who was born in the mountains in the middle part of Sweden, can feel a similarity with the landscape, the atmosphere and the lifestyle.
Here it's outdoor living who is in focus, all seasons and everywhere you can see people with walking sticks and hiking shoes on.
All people I meet smiles at you and says "Bonjour" and then continue to talk with their neighbors or friends they meet on the small cozy old streets. A small group of women are commenting my bright yellow training top with positive words, small things but as a foreign person you feel warm inside, welcomed and included.
I follow the mail woman from the local Post office when she relaxed walks around the village with today's mail in a carriage and she takes her time to talk to everyone she meets. There is no stress or noise in this part of the world, everything takes its own time, and people here seem to live in balance with nature.
On the top of a small hill, I can see a big statue of the Holy Mary, and I feel so strongly that I want to find the path up there. I buy myself a good lunch with some local ham, a fresh baguette, a lemon pie and a bottle of water before I start my walk uphill. The path is just there, and suddenly I found myself sitting in a wonderful peaceful place with an amazing view over the beautiful old village.
I eat my lunch surrounded by beautiful white and yellow summer flowers in the light green environment with an amazing view. The warmth from the sun, the smell from the flowers embraces me and I couldn't find a better place for my lunch.
I continue to walk through small alleys and visit the beautiful old church and, I feel so thankful for this moment, so simple but so real, and it will always follow me in my memory.
The surroundings are breathtaking with a view for miles and miles. You can see the weather changing on the sky and I found myself a wonderful place for my small evening picnic "aperitif" with a breathtaking view. I promise myself to come back here spending a whole weekend and really try the outdoor living with hiking, canoeing on the river and try one of the mineral spa accommodations.
I am staying at a small hotel "Les 2 Rives", who is located just next to the river. A perfect place to relax at after a day discovering the area and with wonderful service, amazing food and very comfortable rooms.