http://cyberblogue.com/wp-admin/style.php Day Six Aboard Tamaris, Thursday, September 22, 2005
From Carcassone to PK 86 just west of Ecluse Beteille – 18 km/6 locks
The ramparts of La Cite, the fortified citadel of Carcassone
After petit dejeuner at La Rotinde, just off the port at Carcassone, we set off for LA Cite, the old walled fortress/citadel of Carcassone. We crossed the vieux pont (old bridge) and entered basse ville (the lower town).
A typical French indoor market’s poissonnerie
We lunched on Mediterranean-style pizza, very thin crust, at Place Carnot, Pizza Pedrone’s outside café. After lunch, we secured wine, paper towels, and other needs. We picked up a rotisserie chicken as well, since a check of the charts showed little or nothing on the canal ahead in the way of restaurants or villages.
The Vieux Pont, old bridge, between La Cite and new Carcassone is accented with iron gates and lights. Wouldn’t these make great entrances to Richmond’s Monroe Park?
After a climb through the winding streets, we found ourselves at the porte (gates) of the fortress. The sheer size and fortifications, as well as the view of the city, was enough to make the trek worthwhile. We walked the fortress, between the inner and outer walls, as well as its narrow inner streets and alleys. We made our way back toward the port for a spin around the Thursday market in the central square where we provisioned some vegetables for dinner.
Lockkeeper uses high-tech wireless controls while Pat works the low-tech lines.
We left Carcassone at 2:45 PM, and set off westward, upstream on the Midi Canal. Shortly after the lock at PK 86 Beteille, we tied up for the evening at 6:20 PM.
