Carcassonne, Languedoc Roussillon Region, France, 12/13
Driving through the Southwestern part of France, many people had insisted we visit Carcassonne, the largest fortified city in Europe. What struck us first were the impenetrable walls high up on the hill, yet people were driving their cars into the fully walled cité where they clattered by us over the cobblestones. Cars in a fortress? It felt strange.
Carcassonne’s first human trace dates back to 3500 BC. It became important during Roman occupation around 100 BC and the history goes on.
We parked just below the walls next to the church in Ville Basse (lower village) from where we hiked up to the fortress. After touring the palace and meandering through its narrow streets we discovered the local St. Nicolas Market, (It was December 6, St. Nicolas Day.). We ended up at the cozy Le Trouvère restaurant where we enjoyed local foods (yes, fries for an appetizer!), and chatted Spanish with our Catalan table neighbors.
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- We were lucky enough to park right below the fortified city of Carcassonne.
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- The walls of Carcassonne Cité were intimidating.
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- Lady Carcas is credited for the city’s name.
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- This is the main entrance into the fortress.
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- There was no airplane available so we snapped a picture of a postcard.
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- The Christmas spirit was very subtle yet everywhere.
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- Carcassonne seemed to be famous for its sweets
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- “Lices”? Not sure we would want to stay here….
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- In the moat between the palace and the city, locals planted vegetable gardens.
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- Standing on the bridge connecting the palace with the city, we had our souvenir photo taken.
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- The courtyard of the palace of Carcassone was quite large.
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- It was fun to wander along the massive walls of Carcassonne.
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- Can you spot The Turtle below?
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- Gary is enjoying his French appetizer.
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- The view from The Turtle of Carcassonne by night was impressive.
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