Whenever the weather now in spring is fine – i. e. blue sky & lots of sunshine – my better half & I like to make a short trip to an interesting spot near our home in Carcassonne. Unfortunately the weather is very shifting – from a fine day to a day filled w/ storm & rain showers overnight.
There are lots of spot worthwhile to be visited around us especially lots of castles, churches, abbeys … most of them more ruins. They often go back more than 1000 years when the foundation stone was laid.
Ruins – are there any better spots for interesting photos than ruins? I always cannot stop myself from taking photos, more photos … so there is a short, very short selection in this post.
I wrote about our trip to Saissac when the castle, Le Château de Saissac, was closed. We went on a weekday just to learn that the castle is only open on weekends during pre-season.
So we returned somewhat later … walking the castle & taking lots of photos.
Le Château de Saissac was 1st mentioned in 960 & thrived during the next centuries. Alas, after the French Revolution it crumbled away …
The fortification is about 100 m long (inside the walls). So there are some subsequent courtyards & watchtowers. It’s situated on top of a hill giving any attackers a hard time.
Not so far away from Saissac you’ll find Saint-Papoul, a small town w/ less than 1000 inhabitants, but … There is an abbey founded in the 8th century, becoming the seat of a bishop in the 14th century … & so the church of the abbey became a cathedral.
All over the buildings resp. their remains you’ll get the feeling that it is quite old … while at the same time you are able to find lots of artfully designed details being evidence of the glory during the centuries after its foundation. Restoration work is going on …
One day we decided to approach the Pyrenees and made a trip to Foix. (Well: we didn’t get any better photos of the snow covered peaks than before … you only get a hint of them in the 2nd photo below!)
Foix has got an impressive castle, a fortification set above the town, which is quite well preserved. Be sure to wear solid footwear when climbing the path to the entrance of the monument.
Its characteristic are 3 watchtowers where the lords of Foix also had their living quarters – no furniture of course. One of the towers is round, while the others are square. The castle was said to be impregnable.
Le Château de Foix dates back to 987 when mentioned for the 1st time. At the base of the rock formation with the castle on top there is a lovely old town area with small cobbles ways inviting you to stroll leisurely … There is also an abbey from the same era.
All these monuments i. e. ruins had their highlight in the Middle Ages when there were the battles between the Catholic church & their crusaders and the troops of the Cathars, one of the earliest movements aiming for a simpler Christian life and worship.
