Where is this in France ?

[Nomoss]

Molière?

Less well-known and a couple of centuries later.

[Liz]

It was just a guess, he's the only French dramatist I know!

[Nomoss]

Henri Bataille. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tomb-henry-bataille

I believe his family originated in Moux, (pronounced "mooks" by most of the locals) which is quite near us, but I can no longer find any reference for them in the area.

I noticed Panoramio pictures of the tomb when I was looking around the area on Google Earth a couple of years ago.
I often do this when looking for somewhere not too far away to visit. We don't do French bars and restaurants, but like to go to interesting places for a picnic.

[Oldblueraincoat]

[mention]Nomoss[/mention] - Fascinating stuff but what really caught my eye was the phrase " we don't do French bars and restaurants" and as someone who has "done them" and thoroughly enjoyed them for the past 51 years was interested why?

[Nomoss]

@Nomoss - Fascinating stuff but what really caught my eye was the phrase " we don't do French bars and restaurants" and as someone who has "done them" and thoroughly enjoyed them for the past 51 years was interested why?

The bars are stupidly overpriced in my opinion - 5€40 for two 25cl pressions when we, unusually, recently tried a nearby roadside bar.
The "ordinary" restaurants around here cater for the tourist trade, and have a a poor choice, or are too expensive for us. When we do "eat out" I usually feel cheated, as I could have cooked better at home.
We frequently go to Spain, where we enjoy a beer for 1€20 or less, and an excellent midday meal for around 12€.

[Nomoss]

Here is the lunchtime Menu from a place we eat often. We were there two weeks ago. Coffees are another 1€10 each.
It is popular with long distance lorry drivers and there are many similar places in Spain. There used to be many in France, and there are still a few left, but taxes, permits and regulations shut them down, and lorries have moved onto the Autoroutes.
It's in Catalan, you can translate with Google if necessary. In the restaurant they have a Castilian version on the other side.

[Char]

Nomoss, the Relais Routiers are generally good value for money and have excellent grub.

[Oldblueraincoat]

@Nomoss - We lived quite close to the Spanish border in the Pyrenees Orientales and would frequently drive into Spain, initially to buy cheaper booze at Jonquera, then on a more regular basis to play at some of the magnificent golf courses in Catalunya. We would often eat at 'workers' restaurants rather than the overpriced golf clubs, great food, lovely wine and incredible value. Our favourite was a small roadside restaurant just outside Figueres that specialised in Serrano ham which was strung up across the ceiling - delicious on fresh garlic and tomato rubbed bread, washed down with the local redstuff.

[Nomoss]

Nomoss, the Relais Routiers are generally good value for money and have excellent grub.

Agreed, the best ones have been marked on our road maps, some for years.
But so many have closed down, and the nearest ones to us now are around 40 km away. We have tried all the very few within range, but they were obviously struggling and below the old standards of both menu and cleanliness. I won't mention any of the bad ones, but forget about any within 35 km of Carcassonne. One reasonable ex- Routiers joint is just S of Castelnaudary, but their coffee isn't great.

[Oldblueraincoat]

@Nomoss - any chance of a new "somewhere"