Last Saturday morning we realised that if we did not take the chance to get away for a few days we would have no time to fit it in before I go back to the UK in May to be with the family. A couple of hours later we had booked our hotel in the Mediaeval Cite of Carcassonne.
There has been no work done in the garden this week but if you would like to share our visit to Carcassonne – here are some photographs of the places we saw.
The area is really beautiful and we hope to return another time to explore more of the countryside.
Outer walls and ramparts of Carcassonne. The medieval cite was restored by the french architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th. century.
The Narbonnaise entrance to the old city
Restored 12th. century house
The old cite is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites and restoration and repair is continuous.
We took a guided tour and Julian our guide did an admirable hob of giving us a potted history of Carcassone and the Cathars in a time slot of two and a half hours.
View of the old city from the new city on the other side of the river Aude.
Basilique des Saints Nazarre et Celse 11th & 14 th. Century
Gargoyle on the Basilica Saints Nazarre
North rosace
Stain glass window Basilica Saints Nazarre early 14th. century
The Doros choir was singing in the Basillica. I cannot describe how beautiful these five men sounded using only their range of voices.
Staying in the old city lets you capture the feel of the ramparts in the evening
Canal du Midi at Carcassonne
I think these people chose the best transport for a view of the Canal du Midi.
Minerve has the accolade of one of the most beautiful villages in France
Village door in Minerve
The cobbled streets of Minerve
La Porte d’Eau Lagrasse. Lagrasse also has the accolade “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”
Lagrasse looking towards the Abbey Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse
Perfect place for children to play in the river Orbieu running through Lagrasse
a french garden 