Strawberry Day.

Tuesday 17th October 2017 - Carcassonne.

It's about time I tried a potted history of Carcassonne.  I have read the Wikipedia entry and although a lot of history is covered it seems that the wall and towers of the Cite of Carcassonne have been built up over a long period of time starting with the Romans.  The city has been controlled by the Visigoths, Dukes of Barcelona and Toulouse, Saracens, Papal envoys and various individuals, not to mention the French state. The double walls with moats and drawbridges have a total of 53 towers.  It fell into disrepair between 1500 to 1850 and has been refurbished to its current state since 1853.  So, to condense this history - lots of stuff happened but nothing particularly significant!  I don't think this version of events would feature in the town tourist brochure.  Whatever.....it remains one of the most intact fortified medieval cities I have seen.  I overheard an English tourist say "it puts York in its place"!

The morning started in the normal way.  We had breakfast and today was a strawberry jam day.  I alternate my breakfasts with either honey on French bread or strawberry jam.  Although I am coming to the end of my jam jar and may decide a different jam, maybe blackcurrant next time.  French jams seem to be more tasty than our shop bought jams.  However, I tend to make my own jams and have a good supply in stock at home.

We made a picnic and cycled southwards towards Limoux.  We passed the Abbey at St Hilaire.....

We discovered that the Benedictine monks at the Abbey were believed to be the first people to notice that some white wines developed bubbles and produced the first sparkling wine.  The wine is still made and is called Limoux Blanquette.  The story continues that Dom Perignon stole the method to make champagne.  We may have to seek some out!

We had some lovely views on the way.  It's difficult to see but the Pyrenees are visible in the distance.  I don't think we will be getting any closer this trip.

We carried on toward Limoux and visited the church of Notre Dame de Marceille on the hill above the town, it was quite special.

We thought it was a serious contender for the church of the trip.  It had lots of colour.  Some blue ceilings, green tiled wall, golden altar, mixed colour tiled floor and lots of large grand paintings and statues.

Limoux was a nice small town with a lovely central square....where we had a coffee.


Wearing a sharp pointed hat on the old bridge!

Other than the Blanquette, Limoux is also famous for making nougat.

On our return we had our evening meal followed by a chunk of lovely nougat.  We may have to look elsewhere for the sparkling wine.

We move on tomorrow to Toulouse, where we (if it all goes according to plan) will collect my son, John, at the airport.

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