Beauty and the Beasts

or, Hiking in Open Season

Visiting in the green hills of the Aude department (11) of Languedoc-Roussillon, we happened on the tiny village of La Serpent, about 40 km south of Carcassonne and south of Limoux [map].

Approaching the village, low hills with ancient stone towers, perhaps old windmills or Medieval lookout towers, and broad fields of sunflowers sweep up to a majestic walled castle.

Inside the village of La Serpent, just a few narrow streets and a collection of old houses, and even a couple of very ancient and very faded sundials (cadrans solaires).

We also happened on the somewhat gruesome "trophy wall" of a village garage, reminding us that it's now hunting season. From mid-August to mid-January, hunting is allowed for gros gibier (large game), and especially sanglier (wild boar). Especially - because the proliferation of sangliers in the South of France has made them a menace, and this year tens of thousands of hunting licenses have been issued.

Trying to be open minded about other cultures, including hunting, the idea still isn't pleasant of hiking forest trails knowing we could be in the midst of heavily armed men eager to shoot something.

A village sign in the southwest stated that hunting takes place on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. We've altered our hiking plans accordingly.