#18 - THE MAGIC KINGDOM

THE MAGIC KINGDOM

#18

To:                Carcassonne - France

Climate:        15C = 60F

CARCASSONNE -

The first time I ever heard of Carcassonne was in 1979 listening to French Singer - Michel Sardou - sing his song " Carcassonne". I included the video for you to listen to - just click above.  If you are not familiar with him - take the time to discover his beautiful voice.

CARCASSONNE

more than just a song..... 

TRULY MEDIEVAL 

A couple years ago we stopped in Carcassonne but unfortunately it was a cold and rainy day. We promised to return one day to properly discover this jewel of a walled city. 

BIT OF HISTORY

• Named " La Cite"  - "The City"
• The first inhabitants were Neolithic - dating back 500BC
• Became part of the Roman Empire around 1st century
• Later rebuilt over the ruins of a former Roman fortress
• Crusaders used this location against the heretics in the 13th century
• Part of the "Cite" was burned down in fire by the "Black Prince" in 1355
• Developed as a city of Draperies
• Unesco World Heritage Site 1997
• Fort has 2 fortified walls surround the entire city, 52 towers
• Fort has been occupied by: Gauls, Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and Franks
• The language of Occitan was spoken here - not French
• Citadel - became important during the Crusades 
• Used as a border between France and Spain 
• Each year they host a medieval festival with all the horses, crusaders in full costume
• La Cite -  so well preserved you actually feel as if you are back in the middle ages

Enjoy these photos.. 

You cannot escape the sweets in France. Just look at how beautiful the displays are... and needless to say my sweet tooth got the better of me...

This amount of chocolate should be illegal....

Dried candy fruit..... even more sweet!!

I hope you are sitting down. Bob and I bought one of these dried candies to try. I got the one in the back - mandarin and he took the green watermelon. 2 pieces ( 1 each)
Total Price - $8.00....

Crazy or what?
But oh so sweet...

I lit a candle for all those I know and said an extra prayer for a friend in need.

This is a typical local bean soup dish.

Ok.. well - someone has to do the wash around here... and I am sure you are tired at looking at us in the same ole clothes.

YEA!! More than meat on the menu... ah.. a lovely French Pizza..
I was happy!!

Well I tried to take enough photos to give you the flavor and sense of the beautiful and  lovely MAGICAL KINGDOM of Carcassonne. Please make it one of your stops along the South of France. 

TIDBIT: Did you know that the SOUTH OF FRANCE is also called LE MIDI?

night night..

Tomorrow we have decided not to decide. Just to get on a road and pick a road and place by name.... so let's see which way Bob turns the steering wheel - left, right or straight. I will be watching myself in anticipation.

......see you soon!

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