S M L

 

 

 

 

 

We spent much of the day exploring the old city. La cité de Carcassonne is a 2,500-year-old hilltop city. It's a history lesson told in defensive measures—turrets, towers, walls—and cobblestones. It is also a great way to spend a day wandering a labyrinth of paths and streets, descending claustrophobia-inducing winding stairs, and walking narrow ramparts.

The city has few permanent residents, most of whom probably work in the tourist trade. There are a couple of hotels and a collection of restaurants and tourist stores. I imagine the old city might be insufferably crowded in high season, but as you can see in the photos it was sparsely populated in mid October.

For more on the city check out the official website or, better yet, go to the Wikipedia writeup on its history and restoration.