A Visit to Carcassonne

Our destination today was only 30 km from "home".  So, after a visit from the bread truck and a leisurely breakfast, we headed out.  We had no problem finding our way to Carcassonne - just had to wander a bit to find the parking lot near the entrance - holding 2000 cars.  Yes, there are lots of visitors to Carcassonne; I cannot imagine what it is like during summer vacation and on weekends.  There were pretty fair crowds as we entered the walled city and the first narrow street lined with souvenir shops did not really give a pleasant first impression to us.  However, we strolled on through the town where the streets were wider and not as crowded and eventually arrived at the entrance to the castle.  However, you had to buy a ticket to enter and/or take a tour.  We were prepared to do so but there was a very long line and only one ticket seller - all in the now hot sun.  So, we decided that we did not really have to see the interior of the castle and instead made a near complete circuit between the two walls of the cite.  This was not crowded with tourists and it was very pleasant for picture-taking. The weather was outstanding as long as you were able to occasionally step into the shade - very much like San Miguel weather.

Carcassonne has a ancient history but I will not go into much of that because there is tons of information on the Internet and in guide books.  Here is one link: Carcassonne. What is seen now is a mixture of old, older and oldest.  The old fortress was a crumbling ruin in the 1800's and getting worse.  So in about 1850, forces gathered to restore it to its current appearance which is not 100% accurate but is very picturesque.  And touristy, somewhat in a Disneyland way.

After our walk around and between the walls, we arrived at the basilica (originally construction in the 11th century with modifications at various times).  We stepped inside and a few minutes later, an incredibly  beautiful musical sound drew our attention to the front on the church where four men were singing a capella.  We quickly sat down to listen - the acoustics were fabulous and the sound gave me goosebumps.  Sadly, they only sang two pieces.  They were a Russian quartet giving a preview of their upcoming concert on Sept 15 in this same venue.  I would love to go but it is at 9 p.m. in the evening - so we will probably not make it.  However, we did purchase a CD from them.

 

We stepped out of the Basilica Sainte Lazaire, and next door was the top hotel in the cite - Hotel de la Cite - over 100 yrs old.  We went in to take a quick look - through the lobby and out to the garden area which was cool, green, elegant and lovely.  However, I don't think we will be staying there any time soon - particularly at 400 to 500 euros per night.

It was time for lunch - after 2:00 - and some of the restaurants were already finished serving but we did find a nice little outdoor one and sat down to enjoy some French cuisine.  We had the Troubadour 3-course lunch special with choice of starter, main course and dessert.  For starters I had the salad with warm goat cheese, while John had gazpacho (well, I guess that is not french); then I had a traditional cassoulet while John ordered the lasagna (hmm - again not french - oh well).  We finished with a delicious mousse chocolat.  All was quite tasty and inexpensive at 12 euros each.

Baby greens with warm goat cheese & light vinagrette

Gazpacho

French lasagna

Traditional Cassoulet

Mousse chocolat

Happily well fed me

With full tummies, we decided that we had seen enough and headed for home.  We agreed that it was a pleasant and not-to-be-missed site.  It would be nice to see lit up at night but I don't think John is going to want to drive there at night.

LOTS MORE PICTURES IF YOU CLICK HERE.