Everywhere I turn to inside the fortified walls of La Cite Carcassonne, it is all about ‘medieval’. The dark and violent Middle Ages. It is clearly its pervading all-encompassing theme here.
The walled city was restored under the wings of Violet-le-Duc in the second half of the 19th century. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and you can find more information here: Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne and here is my earlier post about its ramparts: The Ramparts of Carassonne
Anyway, I will not bore you further with stories but with pictures instead. Enjoy =)
This is at the entrance of the fortified city. Naturally it is filled with souvenir shops. There is a strong medieval theme in this old city. Yep, the princess stuff, swords and horses.
Many outdoor cafe terraces are inside the city.
This is a cute little square with a fountain but the weather was not helping at all. It was dry but grey and it is not making it look happy.
A few restaurants and cafes beside the chateau inside the fortified city. Yes, there is a castle inside and I will post this separately soon.
A restaurant’s way of inviting guests. Local dishes such as cassoulet are famous in the region.
This is a chicken and sausage cassoulet. I actually had a cassoulet lunch in a very convivial setting restaurant. More soon about this beloved dish of the region. Carcassonne is famous for its own version as well, although many claim Castelnaudary have the best.
The cobbled stone streets of La Cite Carcassonne.
A busy cafe terrace on one of the squares inside the walled city.
I think I am going to check this cafe terrace out…
An old water well in the middle of the street.
In Carcassonne there are many cafes and restaurant under the ground such as this one.
I like this brasserie with a cute outdoor terrace.
Medieval costumes for children and my afternoon snack, coffee and a local liquor, L’Audoise.
The owner of the cafe suggested L’Audoise liquor, a sweet yet strong and smooth one named after the river flowing below the old fortified city of Carcassonne, Aude River. He said this drink is very typical in the region.
Just the French way of describing the Roman Catholic Church as Cult. No hard feelings okay =) Just a language translation thing.
Inside the Basilique St. Nazaire which is just from the corner of the auberge where I stayed.
The church is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.
Basilique Saint Nazaire inside the fortifed city.
The streets of Carcassonne.
This guy was with a group of people (tourists) and I am not sure if he is just playing the ‘monk’ or really is a monk, perhaps a priest.
The Middle Ages is not all about fairytales but also about wars with the sword, inquisition and torture.
Travel Period: November 2013
Destination: Carcassonne (Languedoc-Rossillon), France
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
