November 30, 2011

La Cité de Carcassonne

Carcassonne

In the height of summer, La Cité de Carcassonne oozes a plastic, Disneyland-esque quality, but on a quiet November day it still offers a bit of magic.

Carcassonne Ramparts

Carcassonne - la Cité

Cassoulets

Carcassonne

Carcassonne

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21 comments:

Diane said...

Thanks for these photos it looks so pretty there. I have heard so much about Carcassonne but have never been there yet. I hope in the not too distant future we will get to visit. Diane

The Celiac Husband said...

We came to France in the winter on purpose, to see if we like the foggy, not as picture perfect time of year.

No complaints so far.

French Girl in Seattle said...

Lovely shots of the old Cité. My family and i stopped by in July, on our way to Spain. This is definitely a better time to see it, once all the big crowds are gone! - Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

syrahsuzie said...

I love Carcassonne when all the crowds and the plastic have disappeared for another year. You can really get a feel of medieval times.

Liza in Ann Arbor said...

J'aime ca!

Anonymous said...

My wife and I passed a lovely, foggy October evening drifting through the streets and walking the walls of the Cité. It was practically all ours, it was deserted, quiet and mysterious.

Anonymous said...

Wow, it sure looks different without all the tourist crowds!

Murissa said...

Wow the restaurant sounds so good - confit de canard pour moi s'il vous plait!

The Wanderfull Traveler

Sharon T said...

We did not make it to Carcassonne. It looks so lovely. We did go to Saint Cirq Lapopie (near Cahors) that also has that surreal, frozen in time quality that can be a bit erie.

Emm said...

That second picture is haunting, makes me think it's what the Cathar defenders saw when they looked out at the armies coming at them. I'm imagining soldiers rushing into position, checking their bows and spears.

Michel said...

Beautiful pictures of Carcassone. I have some very haunting pictures of La Cite in the early morning fog which I use as a screen saver on my work computer.

Elizabeth said...

beautiful!

Lisa Gordon said...

A beautiful series of photographs LouLou.
I especially love the second one. It is so beautifully composed.

Jennifer said...

Diane
You should try to come down and see it some time. It is a beautiful place...when it is quiet. :)

THC
The atmosphere in rural France is completely different in the winter vs. summer. It was smart of you to come and experience it when most of the tourists have gone home.

Véronique
I can't bear la Cité in July/August. TOO crowded!
But I guess if you only have that one chance to experience it, it doesn't really matter what time of year it is.
If you can, come back in the winter when it is quiet! :)

Jennifer said...

syrahsuzie
Exactly!
(I love your name!)

Liza
Merci. :)

Anon
That sounds perfect!

Jennifer said...

Camille
It is completely different. I hadn't been there is a few years and loved that we had it almost to ourselves.

Murissa
Not sure if that resto is any good, but I love their sign!

Sharon
Carcassonne is worth a visit, especially off season.
Saint Cirq Lapopie looks really interesting as well.

Jennifer said...

Emm
It sounds like you need to come and see this view for yourself. Not many people seem to remember the dark history of la Cité due to its current Disney-like (in the summertime) atmosphere.

chcmichel
Sounds beautiful! I don't think I've ever seen la Cité in the fog.

Elizabeth
Thank you!

Lisa
Merci. :)
I have a new camera and took over 100 photos that day.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

I love Carcassone. the last time i was there was in the 80's with my mom (i was a teenager). but i remember all the good details of the place!

Jennifer said...

Jen
My grandma sent me a postcard from Carcassonne when I was about 13 years old and I always kept it because I thought it looked so magical. I am still amazed that I ended up living 30 minutes away!

emiglia said...

I LOVE Carcassonne, but I've only ever been in the high season when it's full of tourists. It looks gorgeous in the fall!

Jennifer said...

emiglia
I've only been in the summer once and it is completely different in the off season. Come back next autumn and see for yourself! ;)