Mapping in Mountains: Tarascon pt 3 - Abandonments of Tarascon

Having seen Tarason from the car coming back from the field work, I knew that there were some interesting abandoned places. Thomas had explained to me that there was an aluminum industry in the Ariège valley that had disappeared in the later part of the 20th century. Remnants of this industry play an important role in the image of Tarascon, with a large abandoned relic prominently located across from the main Train Station.

Remnants of the Aluminum Mining industry from the Train Station in Tarascon-sur-Ariège

I walked through the town, along the railroad tracks, just as the sun started to warm the valley. I had seen a pair of deliciously decrepit mountain villas on the road between Tarascon and the principality of Andorra, whose commercial district is roughly the same size and area as the Vince Lombardi Service Area on the New Jersey Turnpike (and whose functionality is more or less the same...)

Lombardi Service Area

Andorra Service Area, er, Shopping Area

Unfortunately, after walking along a shoulder-less road for about 30 minutes, I realized that my conception of time and distance had been influenced by the promise of cheap alcohol and food, and that it could be hours before I actually arrived at said buildings.

I turned around and walked back to Tarascon, and stumbled upon an abandoned church building.

Abandoned Religious Building in Tarascon

The head of the church was lurking about the premises, talking about the Lord and such, and about the cultural significance of his building in the Patrimonial Heritage of Tarascon. I lurked even harder, debating whether or not I should ask permission to go into the building.