May 5, 2010 - Minerve and another great lunch

No rain today but it is cold and very windy. We decided to try Minerve but not try to paint there. We stopped in Olonzac for some euros and then continued through wild, gorgeous countryside to the beautiful little town on a hill. You can park all day for three euros. It’s a 200-yard walk from parking along the gorge and into town.

La Caunette on the drive from Homps to Minerve

Minerve, a Plus Beau Village of France

First sight of Minerve

Minerve, a Plus Beau Village of France

Minerve from the parking lot

We started at the Tourist Office/Post Office for a town map then headed to the archeology museum since it was warm and inside. As we were leaving the small museum, the ticket lady asked if we wanted to see the church. We said yes so she locked the museum and took us to the locked church that she unlocked. She is “keeper of the keys!” We arrived at the same time as an English tour group so got an English tour of the tiny church. The tour guide was delighted to find the keeper of the keys at the church. Normally, she has to go to the museum and get keys while her tour group waits outside the church . . . not a pleasant prospect on a cold, windy day.

Minerve - Cross and Cathar Monument outside Église Saint-Etienne

Minerve - Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory

Minerve - Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory

Minerve - Église Saint-Etienne

Minerve - Église Saint-Etienne

Minerve - Église Saint-Etienne

Minerve - Église Saint-Etienne

The Dove by J.-L. Séverac, sculpted (1982)

Leaving the church (and the tour group) we walked down the Martyr’s road, circled back toward the bridge and then down to the southern door (Rue de la Poterne). We circled up and back, stopping in the one art gallery open on this cold windy day. No restaurants appeared to be open so we hiked back to parking, got the car and drove home to eat at the Auberge de l’Arboussier again. We both got the salmon this time and it was excellent. The young waiter remembered us. We spent the chilly evening painting and watching British tv.

Minerve, a Plus Beau Village of France

Minerve, a Plus Beau Village of France

Minerve - one of the houses in the village

Minerve - street scene

Minerve - Carved wooden sign

Minerve - a Plus Beau Village of France

South Entrance to Minerve - 13th century

Minerve - the Cesse, one of the rivers that meet below Minerve

Minerve - the Tour Candela, all that is left of the Château

Minerve - View from the parking lot

Homps - Auberge de l’Arboussier on the Canal du Midi