We woke up this morning in St. Jean de Luz, packed up the car, and hit the road for Pau, where we had lunch. From Pau, we continued east toward our destination – Carcassonne. We were almost there. So close, and yet so far…
The day’s drive had been enjoyable. The French countryside was beautiful. We had plenty of time, so there was no reason to rush. And the GPS Lady with her proper English accent had guided us without a hitch.
Centre Ville
When traveling by car in France, one often sees signs saying “Centre Ville.” Centre Ville is the ancient heart of many a French city. The nicest squares and neatest buildings are usually there. If you’re a tourist, this is usually where you want to hang out.
Streets in Centre Ville areas are often cobblestone. They’re usually skinny and one-way only. They’re more like back alleys than streets – not where you want to be driving around unless you’re on a bike or maybe in a vintage 2CV.
Our hotel was located close to the walled city, not in Centre Ville, but as soon as we entered the city, the GPS Lady took us into Carcassonne’s Centre Ville. OK. Who am I to argue with the GPS Lady?
She took us on a meandering path through the tiniest of streets. I was barely able to get the car around a couple of the corners without hitting anything. Fortunately, few pedestrians were roaming around.
We finally came to a stop sign at a main road. The GPS Lady told us to cross the road, then veer slightly off to the right. We were stopped on an uphill slope, so I couldn’t see across the main road, but I assumed that the GPS Lady knew what she was talking about.
Wrong
On the other side of the main road, our street split into two streets, both veering off to the right. They were almost on top of each other. I just had to choose one and go for it.
I crossed the road, veered to the right, and stopped. Immediately. Wrong choice. Hefty metal cylinders rose up from the pavement, blocking through traffic. The rest of the street was for pedestrians only. We had just barely made it across the main road.
OK. Wrong choice. When no cars were coming on the main road, I backed up and got out of there. The GPS lady recalculated, set a new route, and proceeded to take us back down into the alleyways of Centre Ville.
We retraced our steps, but this time, I crossed the main road, veered off to the right, and took the street I didn’t take last time. It wasn’t blocked, but the GPS Lady made a noise and immediately started recalculating a new route. Wrong again. Are you kidding me?
My first choice had been the right street, but apparently the GPS Lady didn’t know it would be temporarily blocked. I thought she was supposed to know about stuff like that. Dang. (She offered no apology, by the way).
We decided to drive a ways off so we could approach the hotel from a completely different direction. It worked. The GPS lady mapped out a new route that didn’t pass through Centre Ville.
Wrong Again!
But guess what? I was going slow and being careful, but I missed a turn somewhere on the new route. The GPS Lady recalculated and led us right back into Centre Ville for the third time. Merde.
Something was odd about the location of our hotel. It was time to park the car as close to the hotel as possible and walk. We parked and found the hotel on foot. The receptionist pulled out a map and showed me the tiny street – an alleyway, really – where I should have turned.
Two employees tried to show us how to drive from the parking lot to the hotel to drop off our luggage, but even they seemed to be confused. Not a good sign. We’d have to go way around Centre Ville and come in another way.
We gave it a try. No luck. We parked the car in the parking garage – again – and schlepped our bags to the hotel on foot. Fortunately for everyone involved, the hotel bar was open.
To be continued…
