LIVE from the Camino Toulouse and Camino Aragones

[Deleted member 3000]

I hit Toulouse tomorrow. It looks like my trekking umbrella will be put to use!

 

[SabsP]

Enjoy! Toulouse and surroundings are beautiful.

 

[peregrina2000]

Buen camino falcon! Look forward to reading about your walk.

 

[LesBrass]

Lucky you... I love that area of France. I have to say it's been unseasonally wet this January. Toulouse is 3 hours form me... if it had been closer we could have shared a coffee... or a vin rouge

Have a great walk

 

[Jill81]

Welcome to Toulouse, the Ville Rose, and Bon Chemin!

 

[gittiharre]

Bon chemin Falcon!

 

[mspath]

Bon chemin Falcon! As always Ultreia!

Toulouse is a wonderful city with much brick construction. Hence it appears to 'glow' rosy especially at dusk. You will love it. Near the famous basilica of Saint Sernin are many good small cafes serving delicious set meals at a reasonable price. I strongly recommend Le Cafe Saint Sernin at 2 Rue St Bernard where many art students lunch; its a happy spot.

 

[Richard P]

Hello Falcon
I'll be starting from Arles later this year so will follow your posts with interest.
bon chemin

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Hello Falcon
I'll be starting from Arles later this year so will follow your posts with interest.
bon chemin

You get some mountains to start! Leaving Toulouse is flat, but very confusing. Today is almost all street walking to Pibrac; cloudy but no rain. Hands-free umbrella is still in its pouch...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The decaying hotel in Pibrac has closed. The bar next door says it is permanent. One of the best places I have stayed is the Friendly Auberge in Colomiers. An American ex-pat bought a hotel and created a hotel, gîte dormitory, bar, and restaurant. It works because she does, sixteen hours a day seven days a week. The hotel and restaurant are upscale enough to attract the Airbus crowd.

Léguevin is still maintained and open. Off season call ahead to sure it is open.

The Tourist Office has hours seven days a week to access the gîte in the rear of its building in L’Isle Jourdain. The town center is a bit of a trek from the gîte, but the affordable hotel is even further. The market is still on Saturday, and the town center is closed to traffic as everyone comes to town. A somewhat expensive hotel sits on the town square if you have 80€.

The Pilgrim gîte in Pau is not open in winter. My French was not good enough (or my hearing) to ascertain if it is ever open anymore. The priest/monk had a shouted conversation with him on the second floor and me on the street. If you go there, call to clarify.

There was rain today, and the hands-free umbrella works!

 

[lovingkindness]

Bon courage, falcon!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The Gave d'Aspe is changing. The rail service from Pau has made it an easy commute to Bedous. There is a lot of renovation and new building. Winter is not a good gauge of the effect on pilgrims. Nor have a lot of new places opened for "second coffee."

As in all of France, call ahead to check for closures.

Occasional light rain, but very walkable this time of year.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

For a few kilometers after Bedous, crews are clearing trees from the tracks. Then there is nothing until near the tunnel, where crews are again at work. Perhaps Pau will connect to Jaca again!

It is ski season and Jaca is filled with kids on ski excursions.