La Cite - Carcassonne

Lady Carcas

We recently had occasion to visit again the famous walled city 'La Cite' in Carcassonne. It had been a while since our last visit and we were immediately struck once more by how spectacular the whole of La Cite is. It really is no wonder that it has been identified as a world heritage site. But you can after living here for a while get quite laid back about exactly what it is you have on the doorstep.

We were actually visiting to show our friends the famous walled city and were not at all thinking how nice it would be to spend a few hours there from our own perspective, having done exactly that quite a few times before.

The first thing we noticed at the main entrance, or the Narbonne Gate as it is officially known, was the sculpture of 'Lady Carcas'. We must have walked past that very spot at least a dozen times, but had never once spotted her before. It just goes to show how you can convince yourself that you have been there done it and seen it. Where in fact there is so much to see that you do actually have to make more than one visit and take the time to stop and take in what you have in front of you. In our defence most of our previous visits were done in the summer months when the whole area is teeming with many more tourists. On this occasion it was a gloriously sunny day in February with far less people to obscure the views.

So what of 'Lady Carcas'? her fame comes from the story of when 'La Cite' was besieged by Charlemagne’s troops back in the 9th century, and the inhabitants of the city, facing starvation after nearly 5 years of incarceration , were instructed to feed the last of their wheat to a pig. The pig, it is rumoured, was then thrown from the ramparts down onto the besieging army.

This single act was supposed to be enough to convince Charlmagne that the inhabitants still had so many provisions they were happy to feed wheat to a pig. Signalling to him that continuation of the siege was pointless; on that basis he ordered his troops to withdraw.

Lady Carcas then commanded that the city bells should be rung as they withdrew, prompting one of Charlmagne's men to say to his emperor 'Sire, Carcas sonne!', which roughly translated means 'Carcas is ringing'. This is supposedly how Carcassonne was named, although there are conflicting stories to this. One of them being that the city was named by the Romans after one of their own 'Julia Carsaco' and then later they called it Carcasum. Personally I prefer the pig story.

Anyway the bottom line is that we had a very nice day out, sitting outside in the sunshine in February for lunch,that can't be bad, and we had a good look around La Cite again. Reminding ourselves in the process just how fabulous it is even after numerous previous visits and especially the Basilica of Nazaire and Celsus, which no doubt will be the subject of another post.

An Amusing Tale on Learning French

Spotted this video on Facebook courtesy of the Survive France Network. Very amusing for anyone that may be struggling to learn the French language and an invaluable insight into how to immerse yourself in the French language and culture. I hope you appreciate all the help that is being provided here.

All you have to do is watch the video to be enlightened. Hope you enjoy it.

But remember there are always alternatives for Learning French

New Rabies Regulations for Pet Travel to the UK from 1st January 2012

The basic requirements for rabies regulations in the UK from the 1st January 2012:

• the animal must be electronically chipped before being vaccinated
• the animal needs a properly completed and verified rabies passport to travel
• the animal no longer needs to be treated against ticks.
• dogs still need tapeworm treatment. The treatment must be administered by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before its scheduled arrival time in the UK.
• the blood test for cats and dogs is no longer required but the vaccination against rabies must have been administered at least 21 days before travelling back to the UK

What to check is present in the pet passport before travelling:

• date of birth/age of the animal
• the microchip number, date of insertion and its location in the animal
• the date of vaccination
• the vaccine manufacturer, product name and batch number
• the date by which the booster vaccination must be given (i.e. the “Valid until” date). This date is calculated by reference to the validity period of the vaccine given in the vaccine manufacturer’s data sheet.
• the entry for tapeworm treatment has now been detailed as above, so ensure the vet signs and dates the relevant page with the time of administration.
• These rules only apply for certain European countries, so for the official government advice on the Pet Travel Scheme use the link below and ensure you have the very latest information available and understand the difference between an EU country and a non EU country.

Remember as the owner of the pet you are responsible for ensuring that you have all the necessary requirements in place with supporting documentation available. If you are unsure, then visit the official DEFRA site for full details.

See the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme for full and complete details.

5 Must-See Travel Spots in Aude

This is a guest post from Cindy McDonald a travel enthusiast and writer. More details at the end of the article.

A department of France forming part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of the southern portion of the country, Aude attracts visitors flocking from all over the world to bask in its magnificent scenery, post-card worthy villages, and expansive history centered on the legends of the medieval crusades. If you are planning a trip to experience all that Aude has to offer, be sure to check out the following picks for the top five travel destinations in this particular department that are nothing short of must-see:

Cathar Castles of Aude.The lasting mark of the turbulent Cathar period (1165—1271) can be found today in the form of the magnificent Cathar Castles in Carcassonne. Some restored and some ruins, these castles are situated in an area of France defined by its panoramic views of mountains, valleys, vineyards and rocky peaks. The most impressive castles of Cathar are known to be Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Villerouge-Termenes, Lastours, Aguilar, Saissac and Arques. You can visit a few of these castles easily as they lie in villages…however, keep in mind that because of their remote location, several of the fortresses require a rough walk up tricky terrain.

Bize-Minervois.If you are venturing to Aude during the hot months of summer, don’t pass up a chance to stop by the small village of Bize. Located between the Narbonne and the Black Mountains with the river Cesse flowing through, Bize makes for the perfect spot to share a family day alongside the pebbled banks that meet the crystal clear river waters. With the romantic feel of old stone houses and quaint restaurants and shops littering cobbled paths, you may never want to leave!

Sigean Nature Reserve.For all of you nature lovers traveling to Aude, be sure to take a trip to visit the Sigean Nature Reserve in the town of Sigean. Spread over an expansive 300 hectares, you can journey the main route through the park via bus or car to gaze at the thousands of wild animals that claim home to the reserve.  Not only is the reserve fun for families that come to take in the wonder of animals such as lions, zebras, flamingos and rhinoceros, but it is also utilized as a research facility and conservation for these threatened creatures.

Port-la-Nouvelle.Known for its stunning Mediterranean coastline, you can’t travel to Aude without heading to this region in southern France where you will find the resort town of Port-la-Nouvelle. Each year, the fifteen kilometer long beach along the Mediterranean Sea draws mass crowds to its sandy shores where you will enjoy an array of activities amongst a town full of cafes, hotels and restaurants. While you can find plenty to do in Port-la-Nouvelle, stray away from the beach and relish in a hike on one of the marked trails to take in the natural environment composed of waterways, woods and countryside. Don’t forget to see the ‘La Baleine’ on your trip…this is the skeleton of a 20 meter long whale washed up in the port over 25 years ago!

Gorges de l’Aude.Nestled in the town of Quillan, the dramatic Gorges de l’Aude are a great place for those with a passion for exploration and an appreciation for breathtaking landscapes. Thanks to the River Aude and its tributaries, massive ravines and gorges have been carved in the earth, and over time have produced the limestone cliffs marking the scenery today. Enjoy the wondrous beauty of the gorges by car or if you are more adventures, travel by way of biking or hiking.

Cindy McDonald is a travel enthusiast who shares with us this guest post on the Aude department. In addition to her adventures across the world and her passion for writing, Cindy also offers her dating advice on Christian singles dating sites.

The Weather in an Autumn France

I am sure that I am not the first to blog about this amazing weather we have been having here in the South of France. September kicked it all off as I mentioned in my last post, but it has just kept going and going. Daytimes are typically between 26C to 28C and once the sun has gone down temperatures have been dropping to around 14C to 16C. You can see from the chart below that even for the South of France that is about 6 or 7 degrees above the average for the year in October.

Annual Average Climate Chart for the South of France
Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
Languedoc- Rousillon	12(54)	12(52)	13(55)	18(64)	20(68)	27(80)
Aquitaine	10(50)	9(49)	12(54)	20(67)	18(64)	24(75)
Limousin	6(43)	6(43)	10(49)	16(61)	15(59)	22(72)
Midi-Pyrenees	10(50)	9(48)	12(54)	18(65)	19(66)	26(80)
Provence	12(54)	12(53)	14(58)	19(65)	21(69)	27(80)
Cote d'Azur	12(54)	12(53)	14(58)	19(65)	21(70)	27(80)
	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Languedoc- Rousillon	28(83)	28(83)	26(79)	21(70)	16(60)	14(56)
Aquitaine	27(81)	26(78)	24(76)	20(67)	15(49)	11(52)
Limousin	25(77)	24(75)	21(70)	16(61)	13(55)	9(47)
Midi-Pyrenees	28(82)	27(81)	25(78)	19(67)	16(60)	10(50)
Provence	28(83)	28(83)	25(77)	22(72)	17(62)	14(57)
Cote d'Azur	28(83)	28(83)	25(77)	22(72)	17(62)	14(57)
Average Air Temp °C(°F) by month

It's a bit of a shame for the fish in our little stream because it has all but dried up along most of its length anywhere near where we are. There is still a bit of a trickle about 1/2 mile up the hill towards Labecede, but certainly from Le Moulin down the valley it is more of a sandy path. I suspect the fishermen will be having lean pickings next year if they turn up with their rods as usual.

Still one man's poison is another man's meat, and we did have some lucky holiday makers during September who absolutely made the most of the weather. To be honest, we can't remember a bad September since we moved here or October for that matter, but perhaps not quite as good as this year.

Autumn is moving in steadily however and you can see from the changing colours of the leaves on the trees that the winter months are approaching as we go through the Autumn.

Nature has been fooled to an extent though, for example many of the spilled sunflower seeds from the harvest have started to sprout into new plants, and flowers are budding in the garden that would normally lie dormant at this time of year until the coming spring.

Not that this is going to get them anywhere because that cooler climate will come eventually and long before the plants can go their full cycle. We are not complaining however, its quite nice to have a mix of our favourite seasons, Spring and Autumn, both happening at the same time. Bit of a photographers dream really, it always surprises me that we aren't inundated with eager photographers that would like to take up the photography courses on offer in the Autumn. There is after all probably more colour and changing skies at this time of the year than any other.

Anyway, that's enough from me. I just thought I would let you know that it's not just the UK that has been having a glorious Indian Summer in the Autumn time.

Holiday in September in the South of France

What a cracking start we have had to September, the temperature has dropped a tad and it 's now around 27C. For me personally that is a much nicer temperature than the mid 30's we had been seeing in July and August. Perhaps that's because I have to work, I do honestly, and I can't just sit around in the shade relaxing as you can when you are on holiday. I am not totally convinced that is the reason though, I think I just prefer it a little cooler.

So just as many are considering the holiday season over, kids have gone back to school, the French have all gone north again and things are starting to become a little quieter, the weather doesn't seem quite ready to retire into the autumn. The swimming pool is certainly being well used this week and we have been out exploring the local area with a trip to the Lac de la Cavayere, on the outskirts of Carcassonne, so that we could enjoy the sunshine.

The Lac de la Cavayere is considered to be Carcassonne's very own plage (beach). Trouble is, it can be quite tricky to find the first time you go, being hidden behind 'La Cite' on the other side of the hill. We had a little bit of a tour around, trying to pick up on the location, but in the end we found it following the signs to Montlegun and the Australian Park which is nearby. I really think in truth I am going to have to update my sat nav so that it actually has some newer roads in it, you know, ones that weren't  built by the Romans :-)

Anyway it was worth the effort and with a little help from a good old fashioned map we did eventually find it OK and went off for a little wander to have a look at what it had to offer. Remembering this is a weekday in September we are talking about, there were a reasonable amount of  facilities available. There was a guy hiring out bikes, another one had a group of school kids doing archery and there was also the water sports facility on the lakeside for boat and canoe hire. Not too bad for a Tuesday. 

There was also evidence of some little cafe huts there, not open the day we went, but might well be on a weekend. So it would probably be a good idea to take a picnic for lunch if you were thinking of food on the beach and wanted to be sure. It would be lovely place to have one incidentally and is what most people there seemed to be doing. The beaches were really nice and it is possible to walk around the complete perimeter of the lake if one so desired, although it is quite large which probably explains the bike hire option.

We didn't get as far as the mini golf, so not sure if that was open or not, but we did make it to one or two of the beaches and a couple of nice viewpoints. There were also plenty of benches around the perimeter just to sit and relax and take in the views, plus the scenery there certainly makes it worth spending a little time doing just that.
You can click on the map above to get a larger image so that you can see the text and to give you a fighting chance of reading it.

We were well overdue this trip, because sometimes you can go much further afield, forgetting what is actually available almost on the doorstep in French terms. This was no more than 45 minutes away once you know where you are going and is a great option for anyone wanting a holiday in September at Le Moulin

The Languedoc-Rousillon Region for the Wine Drinker

This is a guest post by Dee Mason, who is discussing some of the delights the Languedoc Roussillon region has to offer. Of course I am bias with respect to the accommodation aspect and believe there is nowhere better to visit than our very own Le Moulin de l'Argentouire. But it doesn't hurt to have another opinion occasionally; so here you go:

There are more than 740,000 acres of vineyards in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of France, which is nearly 3,000 square kilometres. It’s the busiest wine producing region in the world, producing more than a third of France’s entire annual output. Until 2001 it produced more wine than the whole of the United States of America put together and it’s responsible for most of the “wine lake”, Europe’s production glut. Dating back to the fifth century BC when the Greeks decided to plant vines in the area, the Languedoc-Rousillon part of France has a rich cultural heritage as one of the oldest wine producing areas in the country and indeed the continent. Rousillon was part of Spain until the seventeenth century and remains part of Catalonia.

One of the most famous beverages to come from Langedoc is not a wine but a vermouth. Noilly Prat has been crafted in the region for two centuries using traditional methods. A blend of picpoul and clairette grapes, Noilly Prat must be aged in oak barrels both inside and outside to ensure depth of flavour. Originally, Noilly Prat was transported on large, open, slow-sailing ships – this is the best way to simulate exposure to weather and the open waves. The end result is the rich, sherry-like vermouth we know and love. If you’re interested in the creation process, visit the Noilly Prat headquarters at 1 rue Noilly, Marseillan, where guided tours take place from May to September. The building itself has some significance architecturally – a young Gustave Eiffel (whose more famous work you may be familiar with) designed the main staircase.

Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées, used to be the capital of Languedoc. If you’re in the area you should take the time to visit this settlement with its distinctive pink brick architecture and general air of grace and fortitude. Interestingly, this is the main hub of Europe’s aerospace industry. Another must-see town is Carcassonne, which is the walled city you’ll have seen photos of. Now in the Aude region technically, it’s one of those cities which looks lovely in the day but spectacular when lit up at night. Away from the towns, places like Cévennes and Lozere have some of the lowest population densities in Europe – 7.4 people per square kilometre, or 19 inhabitants per square mile.

If you’re visiting the area, one of the best ways to experience the culture is to stay in a vineyard. The whole area is dominated by vintners, vineyards, cooperatives and the wine industry in general. With such historical significance as well, it’s no surprise that staying in ancient chateaux or in the grounds of a wine producing estate will present you with a crash course in the region’s past. Most areas will have guided tours and information points to guide you around, while others might have scheduled talks and introductions into winemaking. An example of a great all-round hostelry is the Château l’Hospitalet, an ancient building about two kilometres from the coast. Its location means that the area has a heady sea breeze and because it is nestled in the protected Clape hills, the smells of orchids and herbs infuse the air and the vineyards around it.

As the name suggests, the Château l’Hospitalet used to be a hospital. Originally run my monks it now boasts restaurant and accommodation services which would be beyond the wildest dreams of the medieval inhabitants. Bicycle hire is available and Friday night is jazz night, and the sheer scale of the wine list is more awesome than any of the ski deals France has to offer.

The Domaine de Verchant is another brilliant place to stay in Languedoc. Near Montpellier, this sumptuous hotel offers more glamour than its rustic counterparts but is still right on the edge of the wine producing regions. The vineyards are a stone’s throw away, but the on-site facilities include Jacuzzis, tennis courts and an infinity pool so it might not even matter where you are.

There are probably dozens of other beautiful, well-equipped hotels for you to choose from. The Languedoc-Rousillon region is large and covers a vast range of attractions, landscapes and indeed appellations. It’s up to you where you make your base, but it’s worth hiring a car for at least one day in order to cover the whole of the area. Some hotels and chateaux offer a quaint but effective service – use of a Citroen 2CV for the day. The car will normally include a fully-packed picnic hamper, a map of the Languedoc-Rousillon region and enough room on the back seat for several cases of something tasty.

Holiday in August - South of France

Now on special offer the last week of August 2011 starting the 27th is available at the reduced rate of £900 for the week. With the normal price being £1,100 this represents a great saving of £200 on the week, might just pay for a flight or perhaps the cost of a hire car. Also with the weather back to its glorious best with lots of sunshine and temperatures between 25 to 30 degrees C this could be a great holiday for anyone that has been suffering from a rainy summer, especially up there in the northern part of Europe.

Lastours, Aude in France

We have been having a fabulous summer so far with guests from Belgium, Holland and England. Take a look at the visitors guest book to see what they thought of their holiday at Le Moulin.  Pretty complimentary even though I say it myself and that is despite a few days here and there of weather you would not normally associate with July and August in the South of France. Just goes to show a holiday isn't always just about the weather, there are a few ways to have a nice time even when it isn't quite as sunny as you might have expected. Not that we are anticipating any further problems in that direction, not for the foreseeable future anyway, a quick look at the weather forecast will tell you that.

Just a reminder that we do offer photographic courses and painting holidays here from Le Moulin and you can check out the details for these using the links provided. I don't claim any particular expertise in either of these artistic avenues. That's why we draft in a couple of highly qualified and competent instructors in the their respective subjects to give you expert tuition and advice. 

The photograph is of the chateau at Lastours near to Carcassonne, taken on a day out to see the underground caves at Limousis when we realised just how close the two are to one another.  Just one of many nice days out we have had since living here in Le Moulin. Not that we have finished, there are plenty more places of interest that we have not yet had a chance to visit.