Les Paulilles

Early rise to get down to the coast to Les Paulilles, a nature reserve that was once Nobel’s dynamite factory with a stunning beach.

Wanted to get there for about 08:00, but didn’t arrive until 08:40 and my heart sank when I saw the number of cars in the car park.  However, they were good tourists, waiting patiently in the sun by the gate waiting for the 09:00 opening time, while this subversive slopped along a track along the side of the reserve to get onto the beach another way.  There were only about 20 people on the beach – in the know like me – so I got my spot, had my first swim and my breakfast and was just going in for my second dip, when the hoards started to descend, so after that I dried off and made my way back for a coffee at the Café.

Walking back to the main building and café I walked through what were the gardens of the Director’s house with their cool fountain and flowering shrubs.  It is a delight.

I left the car park around 10:30 and the barriers were down ‘cos it was full.  Need to leave home at 06:30 on Wednesday to have more time in the luxury of silence