Carcassonne

We have been to Carcassonne a few times but I thought another visit would not go astray.

But first, Marianne had been hoping to see snow somewhere on the trip and the Pyrenees obliged.

We found our B&B in Carcassonne and went out to find dinner. We had caught colds and fortunately, we found a Vietnamese restaurant close by where we each ordered a bowl of hot soup. Next morning, our colds were much improved. Very tasty as well.

The major attraction is the Citadel, or medieval fortress.

A good brekkie served by our very friendly Yorkshire hostess who has been to Fraser Island.

Our B&B is beside the River Aude.

A small chapel beside the old bridge.

The old bridge.

Typical French tree pruning.

Now that is a drain pipe.

Plenty of cobbles.

I don't know why the curved stripes are on the walls.

After quite a climb, we reached the entrance.

Inside the city.

I stayed in this youth hostel back in 1974.

The entrance. It appears it is going to be closed and moved elsewhere.

It's a very popular tourist destination so filled with restaurants and shops. 

You know you are in France. It was quite cold (6 C) and we needed hats and jackets.

It may be cold but there are no hordes filling the narrow lanes.

Unfortunately, the walks along the ramparts were closed.

It's 261 Euros per night to stay here. Back in 1974, I was amazed to see a group of nuns entering.

The church which has some of the best stained glass in southern France.

Marianne liked the greenish colour.

There are no kneeling cushions for French Catholic worshipers. They breed them tough here.

We were getting quite tired so we descended down the left-hand lane.

And very carefully descended these steps.

And crossed the river.

My legs were very tired from all the climbing and descending as well as walking on cobblestones. We walked over 6000 steps (4 km). We returned to the B&B and had a cup of tea and a good nap.