Lac de la Cavayère Carcassonne

Closeby to No.11 is the lovely Lac de la Cavayère (Carcassonne Plage) an ideal spot for walking, cycling, swimming picnicing or soaking up the sun

House For Sale Carcassonne

This could be yours…

 

 

Beautiful House for Sale in the heart of the Bastide, Carcassonne

This beautiful and imposing historic house with origins in the 18th century is ideally located in the ‘Bastide St.Louis’ in the centre of Carcassonne.The house’s 750 sqm (8000 sqft)stretch out over three floors, with a vaulted cellar and garden courtyard. It has been extensively restored in recent years retaining many character features including parquet floors, oak staircase and marble fireplaces.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Carcassonne is one of France’s top tourist destinations. The local airport has regular direct flights to England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Hungary.Toulouse International Airport is an hour away. The beaches of the Mediterranean are just half an hour away and the Spanish border less than two hours.

For more information please click onto the link below for a selection of photographs

House photos.

Carcassonne Flights

There is always something of interest going on in Carcassonne. As the weather hit over 32°c at the weekend something gentle and uncomplicated was called for. It is now 100 years since Carcassonne was first flown over by Jules Védrines a dashing aviator and racing pilot, later to become a highly decorated fighter pilot in the First World War. He caused quite a stir when in 1919 he landed his small plane on the roof of the Gallery Lafayette. The landing strip being no more than 22 metres, quite an achievement ! The whole of Paris turned out later in the year for what was virtually a state funeral to honour his untimely death.

It was easy to have the romantic notion that sitting in the open cockpit was always exhilarating but the accounts of some of Jules trips for which he became so famous show very clearly that early aviation needed nerves of steel and he displayed great bravery. I wouldn’t have been led to the interesting history of this man and the lovingly put together exhibition had I not spotted the wonderful poster depicting him swooping over La Cité in the Carcassonne Tourist Office.

I hope to have a copy of the poster soon on display in No.11. Meanwhile I rather fancy a flight over Carcassonne in a light aircraft. Air-Occitanie offer exciting flights. Personally tailored trips can be arranged to suit your budget. Just twenty minutes away by car from No.11.

There’s far more to do in and around Carcassonne than first meets the eye. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look !

Spring in Carcassonne

The weather is completely and utterly beautiful at the moment. I love waking up to a clear blue sky knowing that the day ahead holds the promise of a warm day. The colours on the slowly emerging fresh shoots of the trees are almost an electric green when in contrast to the blue sky. We may live right in the heart of the Medieval bastide but it takes no more than a few minutes to reach the open spaces whether it be the paths along the Canal du Midi or the River Aude with the majestic sight of La Cité dominating the skyline.

I’ve been most insistent of late that the two of us drag our bikes out of the cellar and get peddling. ( For visitors staying with us we offer a secure place too should you need to store your bikes or even your buggy.) The other evening we started off at La Pont Vieux and went along the river under the line of blossom trees to the next little footbridge which still had water lapping over it from the melting snow on the Pyrenees. A couple of people were fishing, small children threw bread to the ducks and a couple of groups of people were setting up picnics on the banks in the evening sun. We cycled through the wooded park area just below the ramparts of La Cité.

Who would have thought that we were so close to one of the most popular UNESCO sites in the world and yet viewing it from such a tranquil spot surrounded by wild flowers ? Queen Anne’s lace, buttercups, coltsfoot and carpets of daisies. In the park next to the millrace is the pumping station for La Cité dated 1815. Such a momentous year in European history ! From here water was pumped to La Cité. We then took the ancient plane lined path around the Île passing market gardens, their soil freshly turned and ready for this years sowings. Luscious tomatoes, french beans, lettuces and blettes which will later appear in Carcassonne market in Place Carnot.

There are birds galore to be spotted in these bosky areas. From the heron who sits on the banks of the river to grey wagtails hopping on the stones, the magic lapis flash of the kingfisher and the housemartins dipping and diving.

All can be found by simply taking a stroll from No.11.

Easter in Carcassonne

The brightly coloured carousel is up and running in front of the Jacobins Gate, (18th century) and Carcassonne is beginning to buzz as the holiday season fast approaches. The blossom is out on the trees along the River Aude scattering pretty delicate petals on the pathways and the fresh young green shoots are appearing on the trees. Spring has sprung and we are up and running and receiving the first of our visitors.

This morning I went to the market in Place Carnot and got a gorgeous punnet of gariguette strawberries. You can tell them immediately because the perfume of them is so distinctive and sweet. Carcassonne’s main market has been held on this square since the Middle Ages and is a popular meeting spot for locals. The cafe’s were busy this morning with people enjoying the warm sunshine. One of my favourite chocolatiers is here too. Yves Thuriés has a mouth-watering display of Easter goodies from bunnies, fishes and bars of organic hand-made chocolate delicately infused with various flavours. A bottle of their Liqueur de Cacao would go rather well with my strawberries !

Easter is late this year falling on the weekend of 22nd/25th April and I can’t help but notice that Ryanair have some rather tempting and very reasonable flights direct to Carcassonne.

With so much heritage and culture, diverse landscapes, wines and gastronomy to discover and fun activities to suit all tastes and ages perhaps a break in our beautiful region of the Languedoc would be the perfect excuse to recharge your batteries and get away.

We would love to see you at No.11

Festival de Carcassonne 2011

I’ve been enjoying a leisurely chocolat chaud in Place Carnot with my lovely 2b this afternoon. We basked in the sun raising our faces to the warm rays, not bad for the 3rd March. These early spring days really lift the spirits. Suddenly he leant forward excitedly. ‘The line up for the Festival de Carcassonne has been announced’. We flicked through the programme on the iPhone. Full details can be found on the Carcassonne Festival Website.

My eyes went straight to Brian Ferry, James Blunt, Moby, Ben Harper and Iggy Pop to name but a few. You simply cannot beat being in Carcassonne for the festival and I’m lucky enough to be right in the heart of the bastide which means everything is a short walk away. Tickets go on sale from April 2nd and sell out fast so if there’s an act you would love to see in this historic location don’t delay !
Just as important of course is your accommodation and if its a lovely chambre d’hôte you’re seeking then come and stay with me !

We haven’t got to wait till July though before the fun starts. This weekend we have the Carnival with all the shops displaying colourful masks and lots of events taking place in the town. What a terrific destination for that mini break.

Catch you very soon with all the very latest updates and snippets of gossip from Carcassonne. xx

HOT NEWS UPDATE LATEST ACTS ANNOUNCED
TOM JONES ****** SUPERTRAMP ******BEACH BOYS ******TEXAS

Les 16, 17 et 18, l’Académie du spectacle équestre, dirigée par Bartabas, ouvrira le Festival sur le parking de délestage de la Cité (*
Le 25 juin, place au théâtre, avec le Dom Juan inédit que dévoilera Francis Huster au théâtre Jean-Deschamps.
Le 8 juillet, place Carnot, Richard Gotainer livrera ses facéties musicales.
Le 14 juillet, fête nationale avec Michaël Jones, sur la place Carnot.
Le lendemain, toujours sur la place Carnot, concert de Juliette.
Le 16 juillet, place Carnot, concert de Louis
Chedid.
Le 17 juillet, au théâtre Jean- Deschamps, concert de Cali et Zaz.
Le 20 juillet, les Écossais de Texas reviendront au théâtre Jean-Deschamps.
Le 22 juillet, concert de l’élégant Brian Ferry.
Le 22 juillet, mais en Bastide, concert du rappeur-slameur, Abd Al Malik.
Le 23 juillet, au théâtre Jean-Deschamps de la Cité, concert de Ben Harper.
Toujours à la Cité
, le 25 juillet, concert de James Blunt.
Le lendemain, au théâtre Jean-Deschamps, concert de Raphaël Saadiq et Ben l’Oncle Soul.
Le 27 juillet, grand événement avec Iggy Pop and the Stooges. Le même soir, mais en Bastide, concert plus calme avec Camelia Jordana.
Le 31 juillet, grande soirée consacrée au slam de qualité avec Grand Corps Malade et Soprano.
Le 2 août, le roi de l’électro, Moby, débarquera à la Cité avec son groupe de hard-rock.
Le 3 août, magnifique programmation de Cocoon.
Le 4 août, place à Lili Wood and the Pricks.
Le 8 août, concert de Bernard Lavilliers.