Carcassonne

We finally left the Abbey 3 days later and headed south to Carcassonne. For the first time since leaving England it was cloudy and raining. Now of all the fairytale castles/chateaus we have visited or driven past this has to be one of the best. Despite the dark moody clouds this old walled city atop of the hill is truly breathtaking.

Night view of the walls

The Hotel International came up trumps again with some excellent accomadation actually inside the city walls. Fantastic. We had to leave Mondey outside the city some 10 minute walk away as no cars were allowed inside the city walls. But as it was free parking with security what did we care?

The city within the walls had a great medieval feel about it especially when all the day visiting tourists have left and just the chosen few who are either staying in the one posh hotel or HI stayed behind. This Hostel although housed in a modern building within the city walls was excellent and only 22 Euros for the both of us per night in a private room.

The hotel inside the walled city

Our last eveng we spent in the not so magical lower quarters (outside La Cite) down the hill in the new part of town. This enabled us to look up in awe and take some amazing night time shots of this magical medieval city. Definately worth a visit.

the town inside the walls

The walled city