Montagne Noire cottage
Chuch at Labastide
Another attractive corner
A waymark
A woodland walk
Here's a novel way to store your wood.
Hibiscus
Well stocked for winter
A fig tree
Sweet chestnuts
La Muse, the writers' and artists' retreat
You certainly know when you've arrived
A pretty corner in Labastide
Labastide
A group of friends enjoy a chat
Rainbow valley
For sale - nuts
The Mairie in Labastide Esparbairenque
Labastide Esparbairenque in the snow
The village in Mid November
Pale Blue Shutter
House on Rue Haute
Cottage on Rue Haute
Labastide Esparbaïrenque
An ancient perched village sheltered in the valley of the Orbiel. Labastide is fairly high in La Montage Noire, and is on the road which leads, a further 10km or so, to the Pic du Nore, highest point in the range, and for some distance all around, at 1209m. About 40 people live at Labastide. It has its own Mairie - which also covers surrounding hameaus - and there are regular events at its foyer. In the centre of the village, a big old maison du maitre is home to La Muse Inn, a retreat for writers and artists who come from far and wide.