Carcassonne: a princess, a pig and a victory...

According to legend, Dame Carcas, wife of a Muslim prince of Carcassonne, drove back Charlemagen's Frankish army, using various strategies. She had a whole pig, which had been fed on the last bag of wheat, dropped from the top of the ramparts to show her enemies that the Cité still had plenty of provisions to withstand the siege.

This pig was the deciding factor in Charlemagne's decision to lift the siege, as he thought the residents were not going to give up. In reality, it was the last pig, and there was not actually anything else left to eat! Dame Carcas decided that the bells should be rung to celebrate the victory, from where the name 'Carcas Sonne' comes, sonner meaning to ring.

Ingenious!

The legend of Dame Carcas: a princess, a pig and a victory..., Tourism Grand Carcassonne

Lance from Lyon and Chamae from Morocco

There was a 45 minute break during my bus ride to Toulouse where I ran into Chamae, who volunteers with me. We also met a French guy named Lance.

Peanuts!

I was going to get some M&Ms for the trip but saw these off-brand ones and wanted to try. The old lady next to me on the bus had the same idea and also pulled out a bag of M&Ms. These off-brand ones tasted good.

The lady and the guy next to her started talking about the differences between France, England, Canada and the United States. I tried to practice my eavesdropping skills, but I didn't catch much. It was mostly political stuff about the Ukraine war and the US. I don't think they knew I was American 😏

Toulouse

I took a mini tour around Toulouse and picked up a phone charger. I saw some guys juggling at intersections; I haven't seen that since Argentina. A crazy guy somehow singled me out as American because he walked up and said "Hello" to me. I instinctively responded in French, which is actually probably the right move in that situation. I told him to have a good day and that I needed to go. After getting back to the station, I ended up near a group of American girls that were yelling stuff in English and being about as American as possible. I understand why Americans are the target of so much pick pocketing. They travel in huge groups and make it apparent that they don't speak a lick of French.

"The town is back that way!"

Cool building on the corner

Airbnb

View of the cool building from my Airbnb

Thiers Knife company

I gave a presentation on Benchmade Knives in my French class on Wednesday and my professor told me about a local knife company in Thiers. I'm not sure if there is more than one company in Thiers, but I found one of their knives at the Airbnb. It says "Fabrique a Thiers".

Saturday Market in Carcassonne

People were going crazy here haha. I guess they were trying to get the best products before everything was picked over. It's still very common to buy produce from local markets instead of supermarkets.

Le Dôme L'Ancien Hôpital

Built in 1748, this hospital stood until it was destroyed in 1977 and only the Dome survived.

Pont Vieux

The oldest document concerning the bridge dates back to 1184. Roger Trencavel allowed the inhabitants of the city to build a new bridge on condition that they cover the cost. By his will, in 1194, he retained only the principle of his toll which he limited to an annual payment of two measures of wheat.

La coquille Saint-Jacques

This little sign caught my attention. @Yarmiks, I didn't think the Camino de Santiago made it all the way up here?! Perhaps I will start the Camino here in Carcassonne instead of at the Spanish border.

The City has been spotted!

Happy Evan

I couldn't stop smiling once I saw the city. It was incredible to be in the place where I've played for so many years.

Cité de Carcassonne

Hidden Stairwell

Side Entrance

More archer slots

I saw lots more of these archer defenses like the ones in Lisbon.

Inside the city

Basilique des Saints Nazaire et Celse

There are some epic gargoyles on top. They are kind of scary looking.

Incredible Stain Glass

The tree of life

This window caught my attention because I reread this story on the bus to Carcassonne. You'll notice Adam and Eve at the trunk with the prophets growing the branches of the tree. Christ is shown hanging at the top.

Jesus, j'ai confience en Toi

Tower

Plaza

Rue Dame Carcas

Carcassonne

Moat and main entrance

Main entrance

Carcassonne cemetery

This is a modern cemetery next to the Cité

Vinyards behind the Cité

Cherry Blossoms

Plaza

Pouring Rain

Carcassonne the board game!

I grabbed a copy of Carcassonne: Shadows and Fog.

Bordeaux Train Station

Street Art

The neighborhood around the train station seems depressed. There are a lot of buildings slated for demolition as the neighborhood is rebuilt. Most of the buildings are covered in graffiti.