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Sunday, August 26, 2012: this is it, this is the day of return. After spending a week between Carcassonne and Perpignan, it's time to go. But the story is not yet finished because this is the last day of sightseeing. And after a little less than an hour away, we here at the old fortifications of Carcassonne.

Already existing in the Neolithic, 9,000 years before our era, the city has seen a large number of scroll different armies because of its location. The ancient city of Carcassonne with an area of 11 hectars, in addition to being a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, is the second attraction of France's most visited. 4 to 4.5 million visitors per year, the city of Carcassonne is just behind the Mont-Saint-Michel. Even if its 52 towers and ramparts 3km are well preserved and the city seems very well preserved, there is nevertheless only 30% restored with work that lasts for about 58 years. Funny thing, like Mont-Saint-Michel, there are very few people in the city, just a few hundred and several million people visit the city all year round. In the Middle Ages, according to Viollet-le-Duc, he would have 1'323 men to hold the fort against the Spanish. Now, there are only than a hundred accustomed and guardians of interest so as not to be overwhelmed by the hordes of tourists.

First thing to do is park the car in order to visit the city. There is a large parking lot in front of the Narbonne Gate, is therefore here we will start the tour.
This gate is located to the east of the city (in the direction of Narbonne, hence its name) was built around 1280. It is made of two imposing towers reinforced by a variety of nozzles for amoindrire see deflect the impact of enemy fire. The door is protected by a double portcullis and a stunner and deadly. Just outside the door, in order to protect (as a first line of defense) is the Barbican (sort of advanced point in the defenses, often temporary) St. Louis.

Just behind the first line of fortifications outside we are in the face Lices a second line of fortifications separated less than 20m from the first wall. It is only from this second wall that we are finally in the city.

At the entrance of the second walls we can see a wooden carriage pulled by horses to visit the city. We still prefer our feet. But looking good looks like the horses are beginning to say something, would they train mock outlandish many tourists ?

After going up the street from the Narbonne Gate to the entrance of the courtyard of the Count's castle, the usual queue for tickets begins. After 20 minutes of waiting, the tour can begin. A path winding between the interior rooms, walls, terraces and courtyards dotted with explanatory panels allows us to visit and discover the life of the city, its evolution over time and its history. Passing over the high walls we have a magnificent view over the modern city of Carcassonne outside the walls.


A little tour through the shop and outgoing direction ... the green guide. We find a highly rated restaurant ... it's gone, it's noon ! ''Hostel of Dame Carcas'', here we come! For me it will be a salad of Saint-Jacques and prawns as input. Then a cassoulet with duck confit (I enjoy it is in the region of cassoulet and I'm good to aillor, it is absolutely delicious). And serves a simple but delicious cakes and warm chocolate custard. Muscat in a small drink and water for the rest of the meal and it's all good.

After the hearty meal, it's time to go sightseeing. Change of scenery, we take the car, direction australia! Or at least the Australian Park located next to Carcassonne.
The 5 hectars park contains many pens with wallabies, kangaroos, nandu, ostriches. Depending on where it is located, you can feed the ostriches, walking in the wallaby enclosure or see the birth a baby ostrich. We had the chance to be included in a tour and thus have had several interesting explanations. Already on ostriches: their eggs are very strong so they do not break when the ostrich the pond, it does not stooping, are eggs have a high drop of 1.20m before hitting the floor. This is why in order to make an omelette with the equivalent of 24 (!) Chicken eggs, the egg must be broken with a hammer or drill with a drill.
I also learned that eggs Nandu ... are blue! And the kangaroo are crazy they eat bread by hand as we eat a sandwich.

Upon exiting bam, what do I see? Ostrich eggs for sale! € 18 for a full ostrich egg (2kg to eat, yum!) And already emptied: € 15. Go hop in the sack, giant omelette in perspective.

The return trip goes smoothly and return to Brive-la-Gaillarde ends at around 19h. This report is now completed. What will the next summer? I do not know I hope encoremais a beautiful report like this.

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