We left for Spain on Saturday morning. We could have driven over to Madrid in one day but we decided to take our time. At the end of Saturday we found ourselves in Carcassonne, a beautiful town in the south of France.
the medieval castle at Carcasson through the vineyards
The castle is huge, and very impressive as you drive into the town.
from the base
up close
inside the castle compound
The newer part of Carcassonne is also impressive. There is a lovley bridge leading across the river.
looking across to the new part of town
looking towards the castle
a fine home for the pigeons beside the bridge
a pretty park in the town
a lovely old house
Neptune's fountain - he looks a bit puny compared to Bologna and Florence
he doesn't look happy - would you?
Block G - where we stayed
the park nearby
the sitting room
breakfast
Sniper - the very fat Devon Rex
the lovely lady outside the hotel
I’ll give you a bit more information about lovely Carcassonne a bit later. I’m sitting on a cold, damp stone bench in a Spanish village called Ainsa, taking advantage of the free wifi.
We were in Carcasonne on a wet day two years ago. Just another castle, we thought, but a great lunch a pretty town made up for it. I’m jealous of your first photo on this post – I didn’t get anything nearly as good as that.|
BTW, just sent you an email on bagnidilucca@gmail.com Did you get it?
By: Richard Tulloch on April 4, 2011
at 7:47 am
I was lucky with that shot, it was a reasonable day, not sunny, and we just happened to arrive that way. I’ll have a look now for the email.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:35 pm
What a beautiful place! Admiring the romantic turrets in the misty distance, I am reminded of knights in shining armour, damsels in distress and jolly banqueting halls. I love the thinly ornate arch over the old stone bridge. At first glance, I thought the middle of the arch was in the form of a tiny cupcake! My mouth is drooling over the delicious looking breakfast table. Those asparagus look yummy!
Thanks for sharing the pictures, Deb – continues my fantasies about the South of France.
By: Sandra H on April 4, 2011
at 7:55 am
It is a very pretty place and the hotel was great, especially the resident Devon Rex called Sniper.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:37 pm
OK. It’s GORGEOUS and I’m jealous. But my favorite touch is the ASPARAGUS for breakfast! That is over the top! Yum.
By: The Daily Cure on April 4, 2011
at 8:06 am
The breakfast was excellent.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:38 pm
Bonjour 🙂
Le photo c’est tres magnifique…
You should have come to Bordeaux because you were near by 😉
By: Dakota on April 4, 2011
at 10:34 am
If we hadn’t been heading to Spain we would have – next time.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:38 pm
Thank you for sitting on that cold, damp stone bench to post these treats. Our visit to France is on the count down in weeks now. Enjoy “sunny” Spain.
By: helen on April 4, 2011
at 11:08 am
We are now in Spain and it is indeed sunny.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:39 pm
Lucky, lucky you. Enjoy, and keep posting.
By: Theresa Lauf on April 4, 2011
at 11:25 am
I know I am lucky and thank you.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:39 pm
Great post, great photos, as usual. It’s like we’ve all tagged along with you. Grazie!
By: Caterina on April 4, 2011
at 12:10 pm
Thank you for reading.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:40 pm
Gee., thanks for letting me tag along with you on this trip Deb, love the massive castle & the photo of the vines., they all look so incredibly old & uniform don’t they.
By: Anna Johnston on April 4, 2011
at 1:04 pm
It is a beautiful setting. Thanks for coming along.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:40 pm
Fantastic castle. How long did it take to get there from Bagni? And as a B&B owner I am of course desperate to know if asparagus for breakfast works? Did you try it? It ws lovely to meet you in real life the other day, hope you are having a great time in Spain.
By: From a Tuscan Villa on April 4, 2011
at 1:31 pm
It took about 9 and a half hours. We stopped for lunch along the way. The asparagus was delicious. We stayed last night in a small village called Ainsa, in the north of Spain – very pretty – photos will follow.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:33 pm
very impressive. simply breathtaking. this is what i like about your site. it just makes me want to go to all these place. keep up the good work. George M.
By: george miori on April 4, 2011
at 2:01 pm
You had better get moving George.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:41 pm
Your photos include the everyday things which give the places you visit such a personal feel. They give a heart beat to the places you visit!
By: Denise Blackman on April 4, 2011
at 5:09 pm
Thank you, I really liked the cat.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 5:41 pm
Julie, Ann and I were there last September, before we saw you in Lucca. We loved Carcassonne.
Enjoy your travels.
By: Pamela Proctor on April 4, 2011
at 8:35 pm
Thank you, we liked Carcassonne as well.
By: bagnidilucca on April 4, 2011
at 8:49 pm
Beautiful shots of a surreal location. John and I visited Carcassone a few years ago but our pictures don’t begin to compare with what you have captured, Deb. You are amazing!
By: Karen Overton on April 5, 2011
at 3:09 am
Thanks, it is a pretty place.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:15 am
Wow…the scenes are soo beautiful… I bet you enjoyed your stay in Spain…
By: Fragolina on April 5, 2011
at 8:18 am
We are still here in Spain. We were in Madrid today – tomorrow Toledo.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:05 pm
What a beautiful area! Armchair travel for me at its very best. Thanks Debra.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on April 5, 2011
at 10:34 pm
The whole area is very beautiful, you would love it.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 5:54 am
[…] room was lovely and the breakfast excellent. Take a look at lovely Carcassonne – just click here. breakfast in […]
By: Breakfast in France « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 4, 2011
at 12:20 am