Carcassonne (Languedoc)

The past couple of years if I have had time to kill in Carcassonne waiting for the train I've tended just to sit by the canal and read a book. The city centre just across the bridge from the railway station was as I recall was a bit on the down trodden side with quite a few empty shops but things may have improved. There is a bit of city wall and a couple of old churches if your into that short of thing. But the main reason people go (in their millions) to Carcassonne is for the 'Cite', this is a mediaeval disneyland. I don't know how much is authentic, the castle in the middle and the encompassing walls I guess, and how much was reconstructed - not many luxury hotels in the olde 13th. century.

Depending on how dedicated a shopper or history nut you are the Cite will entertain you somewhere between 2 hours and a full day. In the narrow streets choc a block with tourists from all over the world the a masses of little nick nacky shops (and a couple of good craft/art galleries), lots and lots of cafe/restaurents, hotels and museums (including the ubiquitous torture museum). There are daily shows of mediaeval deering do and for the walker a circuit of the ramparts will take you away from the central summer frenzy and afford some splendid views, see the black mountains to the north thats were we are yoohoo!