I love playing board games, although I rarely find the time these days. My absolute favourite is a strategy game called Carcassonne (which is now also an app). One of the game’s main aims is to arrange the square tiles in order to construct walled cities.
The in-game cities mirror an actual fortress called the Cité de Carcassonne in Southern France, after which the game is named. And which I added to my Bucket List the instant I learned it was a real place!
A few years ago, we decided to change things up on one of our trips back to the UK and fly via Paris. Our plans not only allowed us to meet up with Rich’s parents in the French capital for a couple of days, but also enabled us to go a little further afield before they arrived.
Although our definition of ‘a little further afield’ is perhaps a bit looser than most peoples’. I mean, Carcassonne is only 390 miles from Paris, as the Vultureses flies. That’s practically next door, right?
OK, so perhaps ‘remote’ from Paris is more accurate. In fact, by the time we’d completed our pre-Paris loop, we’d covered almost 1300 miles… in under five days! But boy was it worth it!
Rocamadour, the Pyrenees, Andorra, Northern Spain, the Pont du Gard and Lyon were all pretty cool, but the unquestionable highlight of our little jaunt was definitely Carcassonne itself. We arrived late afternoon, in time to see the sun bathing the imposing walls of the fortress-city in a beautiful golden light.
The Cité de Carcassonne stands on a hill above the modern town. Most of the structures visible originate from the medieval period, although some parts date back to the Romans. As the sun set and night came on, we climbed the hill to forage for food… although we got repeatedly sidetracked along the way.
Our hotel was located just outside the citadel, so the next morning we were able to get an early start. It began with an outdoor breakfast within the atmospheric old town. After that we headed off to explore the medieval city, citadel and ramparts.
Today the Cité de Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which makes it even harder to to believe that by the 1800s the fortress was so dilapidated the French government decided to demolish it. Thankfully, the uproar that followed this declaration saved the citadel, and led to its (albeit sometimes whimsical) renovation.
The timely restoration of Carcassonne has preserved a masterpiece of architectural and military history worthy of anyone’s Bucket List. I’m certainly glad we made our little side trip from Paris to see this mighty city for ourselves!
This post was inspired by the themes Squares, Triangles and Angles (from Cee of Cee’s Photography) and Remote(from Sue of A Word in Your Ear).
While you’re still awestruck but the magnificence of Carcassonne (or perhaps just the scope of our ‘little jaunt’), why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal, or through my website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
And if that’s not enough for you, there are now three Jaspa’s Journey novels to enjoy as ebooks! Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!
Looks like you had a lot of fun. Thanks 🙂
We enjoy Carcassone too and we are going to the actual place in August!! Thanks for sharing this 🙂
You’re going to absolutely love it. I look forward to reading about your time there.
PS Do you have the app?
No – no app! Do you recommend it??
Absolutely… Rich will even challenge you!
Will look into it 🙂
Beautiful place and magical too…
I agree!
What a fine castle that is! It looks a fascinating trip.
It really was, although a bit hectic… as always!
One of our favourite places on our trip last year. Thanks for taking us back there.
You’re welcome!
These are stunning and enticing photos!
Thanks, Qwen!
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