Day 8 (2) - Le Cite de Carcassonne
Sunday 6th September 2015
Variously described as a fortified town or citadel, here is what Wikipedia has to say about Carcassonne:
All I can say is that it is visually stunning, has more places to eat and drink than Blackpool and that for knackered old bikers like me and Mick it is satisfyingly compact after you have made the effort to climb up the steep approach.
We walk along the river for about 15 minutes to reach Le Cite from the campsite. It is a steep climb up to the entrance but once inside you find yourself in a real life film set for an expensive movie, swords and sorcerers or James Bond.
The massive outer wall is dwarfed by an even more massive inner wall. Once inside the tiny winding lanes are filled with gawkers and browsers.
By the time we arrive the boutique shops and stalls are closing and there is a short lull before the night time crowds get into full swing. We stop at a small cafe with decent wifi. I have a delicious bowl of onion soup and Mick has a Croque Monsieur, all washed down with German beer.
We stroll through a central square of outside cafes and restaurants and then as night falls we explore the tiny lanes and massive fortifications. There are wonderful courtyard restaurants hidden in secret gardens. They look expensive.
In the dark we find our way back to the camp site and turn in.
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| First sighting of the citadel |
Variously described as a fortified town or citadel, here is what Wikipedia has to say about Carcassonne:
"Founded during the Gallo-Roman period, the citadel derives its reputation from its 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long double surrounding walls interspersed by 52 towers. The town has about 2,500 years of history and has seen the Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and Crusaders.
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| Shady riverside walk |
All I can say is that it is visually stunning, has more places to eat and drink than Blackpool and that for knackered old bikers like me and Mick it is satisfyingly compact after you have made the effort to climb up the steep approach.
 |
| It's a steep climb up to the gate |
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| First line of defence |
We walk along the river for about 15 minutes to reach Le Cite from the campsite. It is a steep climb up to the entrance but once inside you find yourself in a real life film set for an expensive movie, swords and sorcerers or James Bond.
The massive outer wall is dwarfed by an even more massive inner wall. Once inside the tiny winding lanes are filled with gawkers and browsers.
 |
| Second line of defense |
 |
| Between the defensive walls |
By the time we arrive the boutique shops and stalls are closing and there is a short lull before the night time crowds get into full swing. We stop at a small cafe with decent wifi. I have a delicious bowl of onion soup and Mick has a Croque Monsieur, all washed down with German beer.
 |
| Cafe in the main square |
We stroll through a central square of outside cafes and restaurants and then as night falls we explore the tiny lanes and massive fortifications. There are wonderful courtyard restaurants hidden in secret gardens. They look expensive.
In the dark we find our way back to the camp site and turn in.
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