Our OAT group left Carcassonne with Bayonne being our final destination for the day.  Along the way, we stopped in Auch for a walking tour led by Tom, our tour leader, for the pre-extension portion of our tour.

Auch, in southwestern France, is a small, 800-year-old town of less than 23,000 people.  It was too small to spend a lot of time in, but it was a lovely day for a walking tour and an al fresco lunch.

There was a wedding in progress at the Auch Cathedral, but we quietly scampered in to have a look around the areas where we could stay out of sight.  A national monument, the interior was beautiful.

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

It was also market day, so we had a quick look at the stalls and this clever wine bar on wheels:

More scenes from around Auch:

Another stop we made was to see the “Tour de France in the Pyrenees” (The Great Loop) sculpture by Jean-Bernard Metais. Located across from a gas station on the A64 motorway of the Pyrenees Mountains, it is quite a sight to see!

Next up: SOUTHWEST FRANCE, NORTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL #5: BEAUTIFUL BAYONNE