Explore the south of France, the Pyrenees and northern Spain

A smiling man wearing sunglasses, a helmet, and a colorful neck gaiter, standing outdoors in front of a metal structure and building, likely at a sporting event or outdoor activity.

About this site

Based in the south of France for 25 years, I am an author who specialises in history, landscapes and gastronomy on both sides of the Pyrenees.

There are three main ways to explore my website: (i) use the interactive map (ii) browse the list of selected articles (iii) choose a topic.

Cover image of the book 'Menu from the Midi' by Colin Duncan Taylor.

Cover image of the book 'Lauragais' by Colin Duncan Taylor.

Clickable map of locations covered in articles by Colin Duncan Taylor.

Latest articles

The first tourist bus crossed the Pyrenees in 1913. Ten years later, it brought Ernest Hemingway to Pamplona and the Cafe Iruña. A century after that, some residents had had enough. READ MORE
There are four parts to the story of Le Bibent, and together, they make it the most historically interesting cafe in Toulouse: outstanding architecture, catering innovation, political journalism and an assassination conspiracy. READ MORE
Loarre was built by the Christian kings in the 11th century as a secure base from which to launch their attacks on the Moors. In 2005, it provided a backdrop for Ridley Scott’s movie ‘Kingdom of Heaven’. READ MORE

This week’s photo

Is this the work of a giant!

According to legend, this precariously balanced rock was moved here by Samson before his haircut. More probably, it was left behind by a melting glacier. At its peak 80,000 years ago, the ice in the Vicdessos valley in the French Pyrenees was 500 metres thick. As the glacier gouged out the valley, it tore up rocks like this one. Geologists call them ‘glacial erratics’ and this magnificent specimen in the village of Sem was carried several kilometres downstream from the Bassiès massif before the ice melted and left it high and dry.