When I say “new” Carcassone, it’s a stretch, since the lower town below the walled fortress dates to the late medieval period.  It is newer than the old, fortified city up on the hill!

Carcassone is in the Basque Country of France, straddling the border between France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. The region is home to the Basque people, an ethnic group with their own culture and language, which is the oldest language spoken in Europe.  They also share genetic ancestry, unique in that they have the highest percentage of Type O blood of any ethnic group.

Exploring Carcassone can be challenging for the less mobile.  It’s a bit of a steep scamper down the hill to get to the lower town on foot, but it was worth the effort to have a look around.  The walk across the bridge over the Aude river offered nice (but not photogenic on this day) views, and the pastel painted homes on the other side of the bridge were nice to photograph.  I especially enjoyed the odd choice of sculpture subject as well as the charming and colorful streamers over the streets in the center of town.

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

Next up: SOUTHWEST FRANCE, NORTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL #3: APPEALING ALBI