2024 September: France and Spain – Laissac to Uzes

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Here at Laissac it has rained on or off most of the night so the ground is very wet when we get up. After breakfast we service Hymer, call at Intermarché for diesel and leave Laissac about 10.30. Taking N88 to Sévérac d’Aveyron where we turn north on A75. At La Canourgue we follow the Lot valley around its loops to Chanac, then D31 mountain road across Cevennes National Park to Ispagnac. This high level road with some serious hairpin bends is also used by trucks, it has some stunning views and we stop along here for lunch. At Ispagnac we take N106 following the Gardon river part of the way to Alès then D981 to the old Medieval town of Uzès.

We have to drive around the old city walls to get to our parking place for the night at the Sports Stadium. This large town centre car park is free 24/7, has water, disposal facilities and a toilet. When we arrive there are already about 20 motorhomes parked up. The parking is very large, arranged in rows so it’s not picturesque, the afternoon is also hot, not unbearable, but hot, we would have preferred somewhere with shade. We find a space and join the other motorhomes.

It is about 4.00pm and Mr C. remarks that his bites are troublesome, large, red and quite sore. We have a short break then walk to the old city to explore. It is a lovely old town, with narrow streets that all lead to a central plaza around the Chateau of Uzès and the cathedral. We visit the cathedral first, which is surprisingly plain although it does still have the evidence of its lovely old painted walls from about 16c. The Chateau, built in wood during Roman times has been occupied ever since. It looks magnificent and in good repair but at €22 each for the tour and we decide it is too much and too late in the day so. We spend some time wandering around the old narrow streets, looking at (overpriced) shops and finish in the plaza thronged with people..

Wandering back to the Hymer I notice/feel a nip on the back of my hand, it is immediately swatted but… although mosquito in shape, it is tiny and has black and white stripes. It is unknown to me, not having seen anything like this before. Later, Mr C. is reading a review of places to stay and comments on a campsite infested with tiger mosquitos. Voila! I put two and two together, look on Google images and sure enough the little striped blighter is Aedes albopictus a tiger mosquito (the Asian variety of the more commonly known North American type). It was likely brought to Europe through trade around 2014, it is monitored carefully as it can carry Denge. Since 2022 it has been on red alert in 78 of the 101 French Departments, it is most prolific on the Mediterranean coast. It’s bite is similar the north American variety but perhaps more troublesome causing much more skin irritation and lasting 5 to 7 days… as we find out!

We cook burgers, mushrooms and tomatoes for tea, and despite being on a car park… the evening is warm and we enjoy watching the activities of our neighbours and the toing and froing of the city people and it is very quiet overnight.

Photos from Laissac to Uzes

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