So, when your millinery course is eventually over and if you still have a few free days, you can spend them looking around. Provincial France is charming and has lots to offer.
Of course, you cannot miss the medieval castles. They are there in a great number. Some are nearly completely ruined and overgrown with grass, while some are well preserved, but all are located on the top of hills or cliffs. So, ensure that you have a moderate fitness level and good walking shoes.
When on the top, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views.
Andorra is only a few kilometers away.
Some castles are located not far from main roads and are visited by thousands tourists.
Like Carcassonne or Foix (below).
The Carcassonne castle and the stained glass windows in Saint-Nazaire cathedral, Carcassonne
While in the castle, you can improve your skill in old art of crossbow shooting or archery:
Some castles, like Monstegur or Roquefixade are off the beaten track and you might find you are the only a tourist that makes it there.
Perhaps undertake the challenge and climb up. Even just looking at the climb is intimidating (photo below).
Once you reach the top the views are amazing (see photo below). Despite the ruins not being fully intact, the history makes it worth the visit.
Make sure not to miss the Montsegur village itself (see photo below). Water is still running there through troughs built in 16th century. he old troughs are still full of fresh water:
-
-
-
dig
Not much left of the Château Roquefixade (see below), but reading the history and knowing the fate of the people who lived there is interesting. Not to mention the view from the top is astonishing.
However, you might not even need to climb up high to see a castle. You simply stop to buy a sandwich in local cafeteria for a lunch et voila! Enjoy a view of a medival castle while standing in a queue! (see photo below)
A real medieval castle (the top left)!
If you need a break from the hot French summer sun, you might want to visit one of the vast Europeans caves. Like the Lombrives cave.
Take a warm clothes with you. The temperature inside is a constant 12°C. My bottled water chilled down in the 2 hours while I was underground!
In most cases, if you fly, you enter and exit a country via its capital. If this is the case for your journey, as it was for mine, and if you still have spare time, allow yourself to spend a few days in Paris.
Streets in the central part have kept their charm from the old days, arches of countless bridges over the Seine, patisserie shops, Parisians living their lives and not minding tourists…
Even though the gardens of Versailles are splendid. As is also the glory of Versailles itself.
Even though the Gothic architecture of Notre Dame is striking. As too is looking at the spectacular, weightless steel lace of the Eiffel Tower….
…nevertheless, my heart’s fondest memories are the old castles, overgrown with ivy, on the hilltops in southern France!
