The regular Sunday walk this weekend was 3 hours from Cesseras, up to the ancient Cathar village of Minerve and along the gorge of the Cesse river. The picture is of the natural bridge below Minerve which the Cesse flows under. the walls of the gorge are riddled with caves in which evidence of human habitation going back hundreds of thousands of years has been discovered.

Retiring in France

http://www.facebook.com/l/vAQHF0OFUAQH_mPqGZ1a-924nTz8fbKtk0V7ebvnOrcP7Uw/ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/retire-france-205328177.html
Here is a link to a great article about a couple that has retired to France.  It's not as difficult as you might think and especially appealing as spring has sprung. The fruit trees are in blossom and there is warmth in the sun.

Walking in the Minervois valley

March 10, 2013

The regular Sunday walk on a warm spring day. We started out at Tourouzelle just 5 kilometers from Olonzac for a three hour trek on well marked trails through the hills and vineyards. Tourouzelle is a small village on the other side of the Aude river from Olonzac. From the hills above the village are good views of the Minervois valley, Olonzac and the surrounding villages. The country side here varies from wooded slopes to vineyards and fruit tree orchards.
There was a strange site on the hill overlooking the village in the form of a 2 meter high bright blue toy bear sitting looking out at the view.

 Teddy bear picnic?

The Minervois valley with Olonzac at it's center

Tourouzelle with Lac de Jourres behind. This recreational lake is a short walk out of Olonzac and has a park, restaurant, swimming beach and sailing club.