PlanetSKI’s Autumn Trip to the Alps & Pyrenees Continues
17th September 2023
Last modified on September 20th, 2023
We’ve been in the Pyrenees. We’re heading to the Alps and then hopefully it’s the Jura. Plus we’re taking in the Rugby World Cup. Did we mention golf and lilo testing? UPDATED
Week Two, Update:
The plan was to leave Nice straight after the two Rugby World Cup games last weekend – Wales v Portugal (28 – 8 ) and England v Japan ( 34 – 12 ).
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
But with forecast sun and some golf available it seemed a no-brainer to delay our visit to the Alps by a day or so.
There was also a range of lilos on offer at our accommodation.
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
We’re staying at friend’s house in the hills outside Nice and I can report that extensive research was done into the attributes of each lilo as the sun beat down.
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
We also hadn’t worked out exactly where to go in the Alps.
The golf was at the par 71 Saint Donat course near Grasse.
It was not cheap at €100 a round but that is, er, par for course in this neck of the woods.
With temperatures set to top 30C later in the day we opted for an early start – 7AM.
There was heavy dew on the course as we set off.
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
It soon warmed up.
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
This is what a 4-week tour of the mountains in Europe and the Rugby World Cup is all about, even though we were no-where near either.
The great thing about the Rugby World Cup is the games are largely at the weekend so there is the chance to explore France during the week.
Last week it was the Pyrenees:
E-biking in the Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
Later this week it’s the Alps and then the following week a visit to the Jura mountains is in the plan.
We weren’t the only rugby fans playing early morning golf at Saint Donat.
We spotted a lone Kiwi supporter on the 16th.
He was probably thinking about his team’s next game: New Zealand v Italy on the 29th September.
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
While playing the round I made an alpine planning decision.
Nice, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Chamonix and Morzine were on the agenda, but I had always wanted to visit the town of Chambery and Ax-Les-Bains.
I must have driven past them a million times on the way to the Alps, but never stopped.
Time to put that right.
We’ll be staying in Chateau de Candie that is run by the UK company Ski France that specialises in holidays to the French mountains.
We’re going to explore the town and get a spot of high-altitude hiking in too.
Plus just chill out in the Alps before Argentina v Samoa in St Etienne on Friday and then the big one on Sunday in Lyon – Wales v Australia.
Do check back…
Week Two
Last week it was Wales v Fiji in Bordeaux and then we headed into the French Pyrenees to the town of Ax-Les-Thermes for a few days in the mountains.
We went hiking and biking:
Hiking in the French Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
E-biking in the Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
And visiting the ski resort of Ax-3-Domaines.
E-biking in the Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
E-biking in the Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
See here for the rolling blog from Week One:
We’re also keeping an eye out for any rugby-related stories in the mountains:
It was a beautiful drive out of the Pyrenees as we headed for the next matches.
The Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
The Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
The Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI
Now we are in Nice in the south of France as PlanetSKI turns into PlanetRUGBY for the weekend.
We were in the Stade de Nice for Wales v Portugal on Saturday.
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
On Sunday it was England v Japan.
The England win was a disappointment for our editor, James Cove.
Rugby World Cup. Image © PlanetSKI
Next we’re heading into the Alps for more mountain adventures.
Quite where we are going and what we are doing remains unclear – we’ll keep you posted.
We headed over to Nice from the Pyrenees stopping off in Carcassonne with its medieval city.
By night the city looked spectacular.
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
We watched France v Uruguay in the street.
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
The next day it was a visit to the medieval city.
It was restored in the 19th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Carcassonne, France. Image © PlanetSKI
We will be updating this rolling blog when we arrive in the Alps on Tuesday after the rugby.
We’ll let you know how it goes…..
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