France

Aix-en-Provence

Aix was founded by the Romans in 123BC. It has been occupied by many peoples and was once the capital of Provence.

 

Cahors

Originally Cahors was a celtic town, then a Roman City and in medieval times, it was a provisioning centre for pilgrims.

Cité de Carcassonne

This massive medieval fortified town is a World Heritage Site. It was restored by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1853.

Carrieres et Lumieres

This disused stone quarry was re-purposed as a theatre which projects the works of famous French artists on the walls of the quarry.

Cassis

Once a traditional fishing village on the Mediterranean, Cassis is now almost entirely gentrified — a place to be seen by the wealthy.

Chateau de Castelnaud

Chateau de Castelnaud was an English fortress built to counter the nearby French fortress Beynac during the Hundred Years War.

Chateau des Baux

Although already inhabited in the Bronze Age, the Chateau des Baux fortress and town were not built until the 10th century.

Domme

Unusual among the bastide towns, Domme retains part of its fortified walls, the gateways and three of the original doors.

Gouffre de St Christophe

Troglodytes or cave-dwellers inhabited this rock ledge 80 metres above the valley floor for 55000 years through to medieval times.

Honfleur

This historic and colourful port at the mouth of the Seine River goes back to the eleventh century. Once an important fortress.

Market and Street

On a Saturday, we wander the streets of Carcassonne and visit the market — a people-watching delight and yet another photo-op.

Nimes

Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire when the city was home to 50,000–60,000 people, its present-day population.

Paris

I am not much of a city person, but who can deny a visit to this historic world-class city. So much to see and grasp; so little time,

Rousillon

People of this picturesque village once made a good living mining the red ocre deposits used in paint and building materials.

Saint Cirq Lapopie

 Its site originally selected for defence, this pretty medieval village is perched on a steep cliff 100 metres above the river.

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