Explore the south of France, the Pyrenees and northern Spain

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.

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

Marianne was not a real person. In 1792, she was dreamt up for a song, rather like Eleanor Rigby or Maggie May. Today in France, you will find her image on coins, postage stamps and government documents, and her bust is in most official buildings. READ MORE
In 1910, Armand Viguier built a pedal-powered aeroplane in his village church. When war broke out in 1914, he served successively as cavalryman, bomber pilot and fighter pilot. Learn more about his extraordinary career. READ MORE
At 10.17 on 21 September 2001, Toulouse was shaken by an explosion which killed 31 people. The cause? A fertiliser factory run by AZF. READ MORE

There are five Pics du Midi in the Pyrenees. The one from Bigorre is undoubtedly the easiest to reach, and it offers a combination of scientific interest and stunning views of the mountains. READ MORE
One of my favourite short walks in the Cerdagne is a five-kilometre balade néolithique, or Stone Age stroll, around the village of Eyne. As well as fine views of the Pyrenees, visitors of all ages will be astonished to discover such a wide range of ancient monuments in such a short distance. To help make sense of it all, the tourist office has erected a well-written and nicely-illustrated information board at each of nine stops along the route. READ MORE
This village in the south of France is famous for transforming ewe’s milk into blue cheese worth €350 million a year. Commercial success has left its mark on Roquefort, but not in a way you would expect. An interview with the mayor explains why nearly all the dwellings in his commune are uninhabited. READ MORE