Travel to the south of France. Geographical location of France Zoo in France on the border with Spain
From sunny Barcelona I arrived in the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains, on the border of Spain and France. Almost all my colleagues went to the ski resort, and I went around the surrounding area. At first I thought of going to Andorra - a tiny principality sandwiched by mountains, but I was scared by the recent snowfall, covered roads and the Spaniards on summer tires. In the end, the alternative route turned out to be no worse.
1. The mountains here are low and very ancient, although there are several serious peaks, under three and a half kilometers (Aneto Peak). 
2. And here, in one of the valleys, hid the Solar Oven - one of two existing on the planet. 
3. This scientific station was built about forty years ago. An eight-story building with a very unusual “facade”, completely covered with curved mirrors of enormous size, catches the sun's rays, and, reflecting them, creates enormous temperatures - you can melt anything. 
4. Just behind this tower there is a melting tank; unfortunately, we didn’t get to see it, nor did we go on an excursion. 
5. The mirror array acts as a parabolic reflector. The light is focused at one center. And the temperature there can reach 3500 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, steel can be melted. 
6. And the mirrors opposite, on the hill. The temperature can be adjusted by installing mirrors at different angles. 
7. The power of the furnace is one megawatt. It is said to be an inexpensive and effective way to produce high temperatures. However, there are only two furnaces of this scale in the world - the second was built in the Soviet Union, and is now located in Uzbekistan, near the city of Parkent. 
8. The border between Spain and France runs here. 
9. In winter, I always prefer studded tires, especially if I go out of town. But in Europe, where spikes are partially prohibited, this is the second time I have encountered the fact that it is quite possible to travel comfortably with Velcro. Both in Sweden and on the serpentines of the Pyrenees mountains. Locals even use summer or all-season tires, in the most extreme cases putting chains on the wheels. This is because the roads here are cleaned down to asphalt. 
10. Horses graze in the mountains. Either they are wild, or they are left alone all day. 
11. The horses are funny, small in stature, all very furry. 
12. Zoologists, please enlighten me: do ordinary horses become overgrown in winter or are there special, especially hairy breeds? 
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15. That day I was the driver, so I didn’t take any pictures along the way. From the mountain range we arrived in the city of Carcassonne. It’s a nice city, with narrow streets, I love them. Look how wonderful these fences are. 
16. This is to prevent any dogs from parking. 
17. I love France. I’ve already been to this country ten times, but all on short visits. You need to get ready for the Tour de France and travel from Brest to Perpignan. Maybe this winter. 
18. France loves me too: I found a workshop for making duplicate license plates. I was already thinking about printing some French number for myself, but the master guy balked: he said that he could sell me just a blank without numbers, and I could choose any sticker, and the number itself could only come with the documents for the car. In Belgium everything is simpler, print whatever you want. But the guy had an issue from Andorra on his shelf, which I immediately bought for my collection. 
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20. The city is getting ready for Christmas. There is no snow here, but a festive mood is in the air. 
21. French Santa Claus walks through the streets and rings the bell. Ho-ho-ho! The French have a grandfather - papa; the name Pere Noel literally translates as “Father of Christmas”. He has no granddaughter, and no deer either. 
22. A mobile amusement park with a Ferris wheel was installed on one of the main squares of Carcassonne. 
23. Nice city, I like it. But this is not the most interesting thing, it is in no way distinguishable from other small towns in France (it is somewhat similar to Cognac), but... 
24. In Carcassonne there is a huge, simply gigantic medieval fortress. It is said to be the largest fully preserved fortress in Europe. 
25. And the men are playing petanque. 
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27. It is interesting that the fortress is still part of the city, and not just a museum-monument. The old quarters have been preserved. Yes, there are many souvenir shops and hotels, but ordinary people live there too. 
28. The fences of Carcassonne tell not about the human structure, but about the glorious pages of the city’s history. 
29. You can get to the fortress via a real suspension bridge. Cars also drive here, along medieval streets. True, only in the evening: traffic is allowed from eight in the evening to ten in the morning. 
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GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF FRANCE. Borders of France
The official name is the French Republic (Republique Francaise, French Republic). Located in the western part of Europe. The area of France is 547 thousand km2, the population is more than 66.6 million people. (2014). The official language is French. The capital of the state is Paris. Public holiday - Bastille Day on July 14th. The monetary unit is the euro (since 2002, before that the French franc).
An integral part of France are the overseas territories (French Polynesia, the Southern and Atlantic Territories, New Caledonia, the Wallis and Futuna Islands), overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique) and territorial communities (Mayotte, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon). The total area is 4 thousand km2, the population is 1.8 million people.
France is located between 42°20' and 51°5' north latitude; 4°27’ west and 8°47’ east longitude . The length from north to south is about 975 km, from east to west - about 950 km. In the north, the territory of France is washed by the North Sea straits of Pas de Calais and the English Channel, in the west by the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean, and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.
Extreme points of mainland France:
The northernmost point of continental France is the commune of Bray-Dunes, Nord 51°05" N 2°32" E. d.;
The southernmost point of continental France is the village of Puig de Coma Negra, Pyrenees-Orientales 42°20"N 2°31"E. d.;
The westernmost point of France is Cape Pointe de Corsan, Finistere 48°24" N 4°47" W. d.;
The easternmost point of France is the city of Lauterbourg, Bas Rhin 48°58" N 8°13" E. d.
France is the largest country in Western Europe by territory : it occupies almost one fifth of the territory of the European Union, has vast maritime spaces (the exclusive economic zone extends over an area of 11 million sq. km). The state also includes the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea and more than twenty overseas departments and dependent territories. The total area of the country is 547,030 km2 (674,685 km2 including overseas possessions).
More about France:
See also:
Geographical location of Spain
Length coastline of mainland France is 3427 km. The length of France's land borders is about 2892.4 km. France borders in the northeast with Belgium (border length - 620 km), Luxembourg (73 km) and Germany (451 km), in the east - with Switzerland (border length - 573 km), in the southeast - with Monaco (4 ,4 km) and Italy (488 km), in the southwest - with Spain (border length - 623 km) and Andorra (60 km).
Along France's borders with Spain The Pyrenees mountain range extends. During the Ice Age, the Pyrenees were not subject to powerful glaciation. There are no large glaciers and lakes, picturesque valleys and jagged ridges characteristic of the Alps. Due to the considerable altitude and inaccessibility of the passes, communications between Spain and France are very limited. Communication between these countries is maintained mainly through a few narrow passages between the mountains and along the seas in the west and east.
The Alps partly form France's border with Italy and Switzerland (to Lake Geneva), and partly extend within southeastern France up to the Rhone. In the high mountains, rivers carved deep valleys, and the glaciers that occupied these valleys during the Ice Age widened and deepened them. Majestic peaks, including the highest point in Western Europe, Mount Mont Blanc (4807 m), stand out picturesquely against the backdrop of glacial valleys. Unlike the Pyrenees, the Alps have a number of relatively easily accessible passes.
The Jura Mountains, along which it runs border between France and Switzerland , located between Geneva and Basel. They have a folded structure, composed of limestone, lower and less dissected compared to the Alps, but they were formed in the same era and have a close geological connection with the Alps.
The sound of castanets and the sounds of flamenco, the gentle sun and endless beaches, the aromas of spices and the taste of excellent sherry, emotional, temperamental, but so hospitable residents - all this is Spain. Having visited here for the first time, you understand that from now on you will live in anticipation of a new meeting with this blessed country!
Briefly about Spain
The Kingdom of Spain is a large European state that occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered in the north by France and Andorra, and in the west by Portugal. The country's shores are washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the south and east, and by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north. The country also includes the Canary and Balearic Islands. According to the latest estimates, the population of the entire country exceeds 47.3 million inhabitants.
The world knows the beautiful architectural and historical monuments of Spain, many of which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Lists, numerous beach and ski resorts, stunning, rich nature and unique culture. The history of the country goes back more than 4 thousand years. The formation of the culture of Spain was once influenced by the Iberians and Romans, Arabs and Celts, the French and the British, and today about 40 ethnic groups live here.
There was a time when Spain was one of the most powerful powers in all of Europe! Today, it annually attracts more than 50 million tourists, among whom there are more and more Russian-speaking guests every year.
Main resort regions and tourist areas
The coast of Spain is almost entirely a variety of beaches: sandy, pebble and rocky, municipal and hotel-owned, secluded and crowded, wild and well-maintained. It is traditional to distinguish several resort areas, the very names of which invite you to relax on the golden sand with a delicious cocktail: Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa del Sol...
East and south coast of Spain
In the east and south, on the shores washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the following resort areas are distinguished: in Catalonia these are the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, the Costa del Maresme and the Costa del Garraf, in this is the Costa Blanca, and in Andalusia the Costa de La Luz and Costa del Sol. It is also worth mentioning the Costa Calida area in Murcia, between Valencia and Andalusia.
Costa Brava
The Costa Brava stretches along the entire coastline of Catalonia, starting just 40 km from Barcelona. The name itself translates as wild or rocky coast - gently sloping beaches here alternate with rocky areas. The beach season lasts from June to October, and the average air temperature on summer days does not exceed +28 degrees. The water in the sea warms up to an average of +22 – + 23 degrees.
There are several resort towns along the coast, the most famous of which are Palamos, Playa de Aro, Roses, Tossa de Mar, Pineda de Mar,. This region also often includes beautiful Barcelona, one of the most popular Spanish cities. Many hotels on the Costa Brava practice all-inclusive programs, which are so loved by our compatriots.
Costa Dorada
The Costa Dorada or Gold Coast extends south of Barcelona. There are almost no rocks on the coast here, and most of the coast is covered with pure golden sand. In summer it is warm here, the air warms up to +30 degrees and there is the largest number of sunny days during the holiday season in all of Spain. Hotels in this region are famous for their excellent service and plenty of entertainment for guests of all ages.
The most famous and visited resort centers of the Costa Dorada are Salou, Tarragona, Monroch, La Pineda, Perello. The most popular historical center, often visited by vacationers, is the city of Mont Blanc, the capital of New Catalonia, which is located inland from the coast.
Costa del Maresme
The Costa del Maresme region lies south of the Costa Bravo, very close to Barcelona. The Costa del Maresme is famous for its wide sandy silver beaches, mild climate and huge strawberry plantations. The air in summer warms up to +29 degrees, the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea is about +23 °C. This region is especially popular due to its proximity to Barcelona and other historical centers worth visiting.
Hotels in the resorts of the Costa del Maresme are considered some of the most affordable in eastern Spain. The main resorts in the region are: Vilassar de Mar, Santa Susanna, Premia de Mar, Mataro, Malgrat de Mar and Arenis de Mar.
Costa del Garraf
South of Barcelona, a small stretch of coastline centered on Sitges is occupied by the Costa del Garraf resort region, it stretches from the mouth of Llobregata to the town of Cubellas. Here, right along the coast, there is a mountain range, thanks to which many cozy, picturesque bays and coves with beautiful, secluded beaches have formed near the sea. Most of the coastline is a natural park. Due to the fact that the coast is protected by mountains, there is rarely wind or waves near the sea, the weather is usually pleasant and without surprises.
In addition to Sitges, which is known as a center of luxurious, elite holidays, the resort area of the Costa del Garraf also includes the cities of Villanueva i Geltru, Castelldefels, Cubellas.
By the way, Sitges is also known as the most popular gay resort in Europe.
Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca or White Coast region is considered one of the most popular in all of Spain. There are up to 305 sunny days throughout the year, here are the most beaches that have received the international Blue Flag award, here are the widest and longest beaches on the entire coast, and the swimming season lasts until October! On the west, the coast is protected by a mountain range and it is usually warm and calm here; the air temperature in summer is quite comfortable and averages around +28 degrees. The numerous orange groves, palm trees and ficus trees growing near the beaches give a special charm and exoticism to the Costa Blanca.
Mostly on the coast there are small, cozy resort towns, the most famous of which are: Benidorm, Altea, Javea, Denia and others. The resort of Benidorm has one of the 10 best beaches in the world, and the town of Altea is famous for its art galleries.
Costa Calida
The region of Costa Cálida or Hot Coast is located in the province of Murcia. This coastline stretches for 250 kilometers and is famous for its ecologically clean nature, beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts. It is here that the so-called Small Sea is located - a huge bay (area about 180 km), cut off from the Mediterranean Sea by the La Manga sand spit. The average depth in the lagoon is 1.7 m, the water warms up to a record +26 °C on the Spanish coast.
On the Costa Calida there are some of the best and most popular resorts in the country, including La Manga del Mar Menor, which provides opportunities to swim both in the bay and in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The resorts of Puerto de Mazarrone, Murcia, Cartagena, Aguilas, and Lorca are also popular.
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol or Sunny Beach is one of the most picturesque regions in Spain. It belongs to the province of Andalusia and occupies the southern part of the east coast. This region is famous for its rich history, an abundance of historical attractions, wide, picturesque beaches, and comfortable, beautiful resorts. The only drawback here is the fact that due to the cold Atlantic Current, the water off the coast does not warm up above +21 °C even at the height of the season. But the air temperature often rises to +30 degrees and even higher.
The most popular resorts in the region include Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona and Malaga. Marbella is famous for its luxury four and five star hotels, and the entire coastline between Marbella and Estepona provides ideal conditions for windsurfing and other active sports.
Costa de la Luz
The Costa de la Luz region, otherwise called the Coast of Light, is located in the south of the Spanish coast, in the Gulf of Cadiz, on the border with Portugal. There are many beautiful, wide sandy beaches with snow-white sand, but due to the cold current of the Atlantic, the sea water is quite cool (up to 21 ° C) and the beach season is shorter. The Costa de la Luz has excellent conditions for water sports, making it convenient to take excursions around the country and get acquainted with the original, vibrant culture of the region. It is worth noting that this area is not particularly popular among tourists and there are many untouched, secluded corners to be found here.
The main resort centers of this region are Cadiz, Tarifa, Huelva, Chiclana de la Frontera, Rota, Chipiona, El Puerto de Santa Maria. The center of the Costa de la Luz is called Cadiz - one of the oldest European cities, which has preserved many interesting sights. The towns of Chipiona and Rota are famous for their vineyards, wines and fish restaurants.
Western and northern coast of Spain
The western and northern coasts are much less famous among foreign tourists, although the Spaniards themselves prefer to relax here. The coastline, washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean, is indented with bays, rocky capes protrude far into the sea and there are plenty of wild, almost deserted beaches. The local resort regions include Galicia, Costa Verde and Cantabria.
Galicia
Galicia is the westernmost region of Spain. Its shores are washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the western part and the Bay of Biscay in the northern. Galicia is called the most Spanish province in the entire country, as foreign influence on the local culture was minimal. The nature of the region is extremely beautiful and due to the fact that the tourism industry of the region is not yet particularly developed, many corners have been preserved in an untouched, virgin form.
Among the Galician resorts are Vivera, Cariño, Ortigueira, Minho, Santa Eugenia de Riviera, Vigo and others. People come here mainly not for noisy discos, festivals and crowded beaches, but for a calm, peaceful holiday, to get acquainted with the culture of the region.
Costa Verde
The Costa Verde or Green Coast (the coast of the province of Asturias) is becoming increasingly popular among tourists looking for a quiet holiday. It has a length of 345 kilometers and can offer guests many small coves, cozy resort towns, excellent fishing conditions and numerous historical and architectural attractions. There is no sweltering heat on the Costa Verde coast; in summer the air temperature does not rise above +26 degrees, and the water warms up to +21 °C.
The main resorts here are Gijon, Llanes, Villaviciosa, Perlora, Celorio, Luanco, Cavedo, Aviles and others. The most popular among holidaymakers is, perhaps, Gijon - a large, modern city with a centuries-old history and excellent conditions for both youth and family holidays.
Cantabria
Cantabria is located in the northern part of Spain, almost on the border with France. The coast of the province is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay. This region is known for its stunning mountain scenery, amazing caves, numerous natural parks and beautiful beaches. The weather here is not hot, the air temperature in summer stays around +26 – +27 degrees. This region has so far been little explored by tourists - mainly Spaniards vacation here.
The region's resort centers include Castro-Urdiales, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Laredo, and Suances. It is in Santillana del Mar that the world famous Altamira Cave is located, the walls of which are decorated with ancient cave paintings.
What to choose?
Youth holidays in Spain
On the Costa Brava coast it is one of the best places for a noisy, youth holiday. Fans of active recreation should visit the resort of Calella in the Costa del Maresme region, the towns of Castelldefels on the Costa del Garraf and Estepona and Marbella in the Costa del Sol will appeal to windsurfing enthusiasts, and in Benidorm on the Costa Blanca life is in full swing day!
In the northern part of the country, the best surfing conditions can be found at Rodiles Beach in Villaviciosa. Fun and noisy parties await vacationers at the resorts of Los Cristianos and Las Americas in Tenerife.
Romantic holiday in Spain
On the Costa Brava, the most romantic resort with numerous secluded beaches and inconspicuous coves can be called Tossa de Mar. Tiny resort villages on the Galician coast are also perfect for a romantic, secluded holiday.
Holidays in Spain with children
Thanks to the gentle slopes to the water, a pleasant climate and well-developed infrastructure, almost all resorts on the Costa Dorada can be called excellent for families with children.
Wonderful conditions for holidays with children have been created in the town on the Costa del Maresme, in Javea in the Costa Blanca region, in Estepona on the Costa del Sol. In the resorts of the Small Sea, especially in La Manga del Mar Menor, almost all hotels are aimed at family, wealthy tourists.
On the northern coast, for a holiday with children you can choose Santander in Cantabria with a huge amusement park. In the Canary Islands, Tenerife, the best holiday for families with children is offered in Puerto de la Cruz.
When you are tired of Spain and want to go abroad and listen to some other unfamiliar language, then the neighboring south of France becomes an excellent alternative to the Catalan coasts.
We start early in the morning, at exactly half past seven we are already rushing along the A-7 highway. The vacationer’s eyes, unaccustomed to early awakenings, close spontaneously. But you have to look at the passing landscapes! We try to listen to the radio and discuss the upcoming breakfast, but sleep steadily wins after five minutes and it’s quiet in the minibus all the way to the border. We open our eyes at the request of the guide and see how the border checkpoint is bristling with sleepy and unshaven policemen just like us. Unlike us, they don’t like everything, they are suspicious, and in some ways even rude. They don't care about the single European space. Every day, up to half a ton of drugs leak through Spain throughout Schengen. It seems they were not found here, so we successfully penetrate into France in four minutes. To smooth out the fleeting unrest, we immediately visit the large roadside complex “Catalan Village”. They no longer speak Spanish here, but they sell excellent croissants with peach jam and good coffee. After breakfast, we climb the observation tower and contemplate the surroundings of the once Catalan lands. Over the past centuries, these lands have repeatedly migrated between Spain and France, finally settling with the latter. We don't linger any longer.
The program included a visit to an oyster farm, but somehow in the morning we didn’t feel like shellfish and decided to go straight to the town of Koylyur. The place is known for the bloodthirsty and strong-willed tyrant Vauban, who devoted most of his life to strengthening and protecting the city. The settlement of Koylyur dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, the luxurious summer residence of the kings of Majorca was located here. Only later did Vauban and then the French turn it into a formidable sea fort. On their initiative, the entire port of Amont was previously turned into a serious fortress, but in the twenty-first century, militaristic installations gave way to bars, restaurants and tourist cafes. Now you won’t be shot from a cast iron cannon on the pier and you can calmly drink beer and eat freshly caught fish while admiring the surf.
In Koylyur, all the streets are saturated with the smell of the Templars. History has linked the ancient order with this place by blood. The Templars were very unlucky, and unlike the knights themselves, only their wine tradition has survived to this day. Since then, local residents have been deservedly proud of the cheerful drink from the Roussillon province. It's not yet noon, but under the pressure of the guide's historical arguments we can't avoid a wine tasting in a cute little bar on the corner of a winding ancient street.
At the tip of the cape at the end of the embankment, the Notre Dame des Zanges church has stood since the 17th century. This is a gloomy medieval building with an oppressive Catholic atmosphere and a huge iconostasis made of gilded wood. One of the walls is under attack from centuries-old mold caused by sea dampness. No means, even modern ones, help. Scoundrels of all stripes clearly tried to break into the church doors more than once. Nearby is the tiny island of St. Vincent, connected to the mainland by a dam and a sand embankment. This is a true symbol of the formation of Christianity in this land. According to the chronicles, it is known that Saint Vincent was one of the first to accept Christianity in these parts. For which he was brutally exterminated, along with his entire family, right on this spot. It’s gloomy inside, there’s a sour characteristic smell, the man behind the counter has just gotten drunk and is looking with half-closed eyes at a boring small TV under the ceiling. They hardly pay attention to us. It is inappropriate to try to give you cheap tourist sour drinks to drink. Only by the smell from the glass does it become clear that the liquid is unsuitable for consumption. Intuitively and independently we discover dusty bottles on the top shelf that look decent. At this moment, the owner’s facial expression changes dramatically and with the words “They would have said that right away!” he happily drops what he's doing and reaches into the depths of his closet and brings out the right drinks. Dry and semi-sweet fortified vintage wines deserve special attention from the Templars. Their cost reaches two hundred euros per bottle, but the quality is quite consistent with the price. We choose a middle ground and buy half a dozen vessels for the collection. The happy owner personally accompanies us to the exit and waves his handkerchief after us. (banyuls.com)
With relaxed strolls along miniature alleys and a welcoming embankment, time passes quickly and miraculously, lunch arrives. After researching the opinions of old residents of Koylyur, information appears about a certain local restaurant Neptune, which has one Michelin star. We circle around the mountain serpentines above the city for about half an hour in search of a restaurant. All doubts about the seriousness of the establishment are dispelled immediately when studying the menu. The classic chic of French cuisine, coupled with a talented chef and seasoned with the freshest ingredients. On top of everything else, it’s not expensive. Decent wine collection. Each new dish seemed better than the previous one. Everyone is delighted. Full and tipsy, we leave the hospitable restaurant, admire the view of the city for a few minutes and move on.
The next point of our journey is the ancient city and castle complex of Carcassonne. It's about an hour and a half away from Koylyur by car. This is a legendary center of Christian culture, which became the capital of the fight between Catholicism and the Cathars and one of the main battle scenes of the Crusade of the Northern Barons in the 13th century AD. against "heretics". The history of Carcassonne goes back to the Romans, and on the grass under the impregnable walls, for more than a thousand years in a row, all self-respecting bandits, invaders, murderers and fanatics shed blood.
We go inside the outer defensive wall through trap arches, which were deliberately built by experienced architects in a particularly cunning way with the expectation of the most effective slaughter of the attacking manpower. The principle of the exhausting snail is obvious. Each invader, breaking through to the center of the complex, would take turns at high risk of being repeatedly shot, stabbed, scalded, or crushed through multiple layers of defense before reaching the next gate or ditch. The narrow passages are framed on all sides by winding high walls, topped in places with the remains of wooden platforms, which were previously quickly installed on the outside of the fortress in anticipation of the advance of large enemy forces. These platforms of massive logs provided excellent additional space for the militia, archers and spearmen, who made life a veritable hell for the attackers with a rain of steel projectiles, thousands of huge stones and endless streams of boiling tar. More than one hundred aggressors mediocrely perished in these merciless traps. For some reason, at the entrance to the fortified city, the local municipality installed an authentic antique carousel. This particular carousel is over two hundred years old, it has been carefully restored, is fully operational and you can even ride on it. But against the backdrop of the ominous Narbonne Gate, next to which bloody rivers have flowed for centuries, she looks ridiculous, like a child’s clown among a horde of goblin thugs. A kind of black French humor.
But it made sense for the attacking fighters to rush inside. The treasury was kept for many centuries in one of the especially fortified and guarded towers of the castle. And also, every bandit knew that behind the high walls lived hundreds of wealthy families, in whose houses there was a lot to profit from in the event of the fall of the fortress. Therefore, there are countless stone patches on the castle walls. Sieges sometimes lasted for years, and the destroyed walls had to be restored in short respites between raids, and any nonsense that came to hand was used as material. Now we can see fragments of tiles, bricks, kitchen pots and even burnt boards sticking out of the walls in different places.
Today, Carcassonne is an amazing, tiny, medieval world that has survived into the twenty-first century in amazing preservation. Nothing has changed on the streets of the town, except perhaps the clothes of the residents and the quality of food and drinks. With enviable diligence, all the buildings were restored and found a new life as shops for tourists, coffee shops, restaurants and private mini-hotels. There is even a fashionable hotel, although it is the only one in Carcassonne and there are always no rooms available. If anyone wants to plunge into the era of knights and castles, it will be difficult to find a better place in the South of France. The ideal time to stay in Carcassonne is at least two days. A tourist with a camera will find here many ancient sights that require close study, and in the taverns there is a large list of snacks for beer and wine, the tasting of which would be wrong. And we, having completed the photo report, and having drunk beer with seafood, set off further along the coast. Nice awaits us.
We arrive at night. Nice welcomes guests in contrast. On one side, city palaces, hotels and casinos sparkle with multi-colored illumination, and on the side of the embankment, the raging sea roars from the impenetrable darkness like thundering boulders of gray waves. We check into the hotel and try to have dinner. It's not even midnight yet, but all restaurants in Nice are already closed. The streets are empty, and you can only go to a couple of casinos, where there is also nothing to eat. My native Barcelona begins to come to mind little by little. There would be no problems with dinner there. But suddenly we find a coastal eatery, where the lights are still on and the chairs have not yet been turned over. We go in and, in a hurry, order the first salads, wine and meat we come across. Considering that the last time we had a normal lunch was more than a day ago, the appetite is brutal. But the quality of the cuisine leaves much to be desired. In the scrambled eggs with cheese, a large and colorful piece of foil from a wrapper was found, eye-tearing wine, lettuce leaves with collective farm sand, and on the plates there were traces of the meals of past clients. But surprisingly, the establishment is doing well. Within half an hour, while we were trying to fish out the edible component from the dishes with unwashed forks, a dozen tables around were filled with new customers. Imagine our tenderness when, after listening, we realized that all the visitors were our compatriots! Probably the consequences of a socialist unhealthy diet.
Considering that we drove to Nice for almost six hours, of which we did not lose a single minute, snoring peacefully, now we did not want to sleep. After trying to look into a nightclub, where about eight young men over fifty were twitching sadly in a company of dark-skinned women with curvy figures, there was no choice left. We went to one of the nearby casinos. In general, let’s talk separately about the casinos - in Nice they are different, not like in Spain. Strange people work here who don’t care at all whether you win a lot of cash from them or squander your money in a frenzy. They are equally friendly, internally balanced and do not burn with the desire to rob the client completely as quickly as possible, as in Barcelona or Madrid. At the poker table, you actually dealt with your hands and also allowed you to buy more cards! Like in the movies. Maybe this time we were just lucky, maybe it’s just easier to win in Nice than in Spain, but we left in just an hour and with a good plus.
In the morning we got up at eight and went to Monaco for breakfast. Along the way we had coffee at a roadside bistro and chanced to visit a museum and perfume factory founded in 1747 by Jean De Galimard. The excursion did not take much time, the museum had only one name, but even two small halls and no more than fifty exhibits created a complete picture of the production of natural cosmetics from herbs, flowers and roots. I especially liked the old distillers, which were irresistible, they were so shiny and aromatic. It turns out that the semi-mystical belief that smell can be extracted from almost everything is actually quite close to the truth. We bought amazing essential oils of lavender, rose, vanilla and tangerine in the store located at the factory. Such a weighty bottle costs no more than ten euros, and one micro droplet is enough to make you tormented to wash your hands of them for a couple of days. In fact, it seems that nothing better than traditional methods in perfumery has yet been invented. And in expensive stores they sell not perfumes, but pitiful imitations, in which there are no more than 5 percent of real fragrances! I thought so!
Monaco met with partly cloudy skies. By the way, in these Pyrenees mountains the weather is completely abnormal. One minute there is a dazzling sun, then a minute later the rain is dripping from God knows where, then some prickly hooligan wind swoops in and takes away your favorite cap. The low clouds of deep, heavy hues in most of our landscape photographs are indistinguishable from the real thing. But the breakfasts here are not so tasty. In general, in France the level of deliciousness of ordinary average food is significantly lower than in Spain. There are no particular reasons, most likely it’s a matter of lifestyle. The French, in comparison with the Spaniards, work much more, eat significantly less and faster, and the speed of work events here is higher and does not allow them to pay too much attention to food. Officially, lunch in Nice lasts only an hour, for this reason we were not able to eat properly in two days, except for a visit to the world famous Louis XV. But more on this separately and in detail. Louis XV is located in the heart of Monaco on the central square in the hotel lobby. Considering our vast experience in luxury dining and the great fame of the establishment, visiting there seemed especially interesting. We were received at the entrance by two nice girls, which was reserved, but they warmly pleased us with the presence of free tables. One of them immediately escorted me to the dining room. From the first second, the decoration of the hall evokes tenderness and sentimental sighs. High ceilings, all in gold molding and academically executed genre painting, incredible bouquets of fresh flowers, gracefully and accurately scattered around the hall in fundamental vases, sparkling silverware on snow-white tablecloths, elegantly and silently fluttering waiters and a dizzying light spicy aroma of mouth-watering dishes on the table. sterile plate. We've made it well, into the top ten!
Studying the menu took at least a quarter of an hour, and the wine list was generally scary to pick up, because it was as big as a complete geographical atlas of the world. After hungry tossing around between delicacy names, everyone unanimously made a democratic decision - to order the general tasting menu. It turned out to be nine courses. Tastes alternated from green salad with wild herbs to marinated fish platter, from shrimp almost moving on the plate to duck liver and from tender milk lamb on its own bone to marbled veal smoked on alder branches just before serving. Then there were desserts, which, like everything else, crumbled in the mouth with bright flashes of impeccable tastes, gradually replacing each other. The maître and his assistants, throughout our meal, which lasted at least three hours at regular intervals and at regular intervals, vigilantly monitored with their watchful eyes both the change of delicacies and the serving of wines corresponding to the dishes. No matter how hard we tried, not once during the entire dinner did we manage to detect a single mistake, either in the culinary issue or in the service. After an hour of the virtuoso behavior of the staff, we began to involuntarily glance at the neighboring tables, where stately elderly couples from all parts of Europe were eating, but even there the garçon’s hand never wavered or forgot about anything. Magnificent, amazing training and masterful cuisine beyond any praise. Leaving Louis XV, you understand that you will definitely come here several more times. By the way, the cost of such a holiday does not knock you down. A top-class lunch here, excluding alcohol, will cost no more than 130 euros per person, which, in comparison with world prices based on the price/quality principle, can easily be called a royal gift.
But the casino in Monaco is discouraging. The once luxurious gambling establishment was turned into a tourist courtyard. They charge money for entry, inside there are crowds of Chinese, Turks, Germans, all without money and with disposable cameras, and they rush inside like a herd just to stare stupidly. Some, having broken through and been stunned by the atmosphere, still risk sacrificing their hard-earned twenty euros, being in the sincere hope of getting rich, immediately and forever. As a result, a sweaty, heavily breathing crowd, because of which it is simply impossible to approach the tables with roulette and cards, and the hall with slot machines works on the principle of no winning lottery. The machines are so calibrated that no matter how many coins are dropped into them, nothing will come out in response. In comparison with Nice, the casino in Monaco is an outright unscrupulous scam and robbery, designed for the brainless average person who came here for the first and last time in his life as a pensioner victim.
But I was pleased with the car museum, or more correctly, the prince’s personal collection of cars. It is exhibited in the city center in a spacious pavilion and can be visited by anyone for a few euros. It will be easy for motor and wheel lovers to get stuck inside for a couple of hours. Vehicles from horse-drawn carriages to self-propelled carts and incredibly rare examples of designer cars, produced in a single copy. We spent much more time there than expected. Each car on display seems to be alive. Taking your time, you want to look into his salon, touch the ancient upholstery worn to a shine, and in response to your touch he begins his stories about the past. Apparently, the level of energy and public attention surrounding these cars was so high that they have retained some of that excitement to this day. You start to look closely and see mirages of the past in the elaborate headlights, body curves and nickel-plated trim parts. We received a lot of positive impressions from the visit. We circled around the center a little more, watched the changing of the guard on the square near the palace, and learned from the guide about some historical skirmishes and treacherous fuss around the throne. Nothing new or out of the ordinary - complete betrayals, murders, forgeries, coups, night massacres, incest, child murder and other delights of European palace life.
On the embankment they discovered a logical, but working and full-fledged Japanese park that was not logically tied to anything. The walk along it took half an hour, and it should be noted that it noticeably improved everyone’s mood. The photographs clearly show the care with which its creators sought to bring their brainchild closer to genuine analogues in Japan. They certainly succeeded. The main thing is that both tourists and locals like it, people go there, sit by the water and, with smart faces, catch the fleeting essence of our difficult life. We go back to Nice and walk around the architectural sights. There are many of them in Nice, they are pleasant, they do not have bulging eyes or disposable cameras. We definitely recommend visiting the hill with the ruins of the fortress and the observation deck at the top. From there you have a view of the entire city and surrounding lands, and there are also several cozy cafes for a break. In the city center you can stroll through the morning market, where they sell everything you can, from flowers and vegetables to soap and tobacco. The sellers are quite friendly and polite, but again they are not intrusive and are sufficient in themselves. In Nice, all trade is conducted with tact and order. No one shows a zealous desire to push their goods to you, just as the sellers themselves do not like to bargain. The shops, from prestigious brand boutiques to small private shops, are not significantly different from any other large European city. There are several commercial avenues where tourists can quickly find the right sign and shop no worse than in Paris or Rome. There was nothing special noted regarding the pricing policy. Prices are the same as prices, everything is even, without giant discounts or speculation, the staff in the stores are nice, polite, happy to run to look for the right size and generally move actively at the first request.
You can have lunch in Nice on any corner, but you will get poisoned. The level of food for a daytime snack leaves much to be desired. The search for a decent deal is overwhelming. All restaurants are cheap, they serve food according to the principle of “eat to survive.” Large terraces with wicker furniture, crowded with tourists and local office workers, speak for themselves. The plates are a mess, everything is burnt, floating in oil, sloppy and doesn’t smell good. But people eat it in a hurry, quickly drink it and run away on their own business. With great difficulty we found a good restaurant, La petite Maison, but while we were looking for it, they had already cold-bloodedly closed the kitchen there. As a result, they miraculously squeezed into a neighboring establishment and on their knees persuaded them to serve us what they themselves could. We dined without appetite, the food was terrible, there was melancholy in the eyes and the soul was tearing at Louis XV. Regarding emigrants and people of non-European race in Nice, things are complicated. There are a lot of people with different skin colors and religions different from European ones. These people, for the most part, vegetate near the poverty line and do not consider the coast as a place for recreation. They are here in the process of daily survival and searching for food, with the only difference that in their historical homeland all this would be forty times more difficult. There are many blacks who are ready to sell glasses and handkerchiefs on the asphalt around the clock, and there are many Arabs who do not show an ounce of joy when walking along the embankment after a fourteen-hour day in the kitchen of tourist restaurants. The only salvation from the general depressing impression caused by this part of the population of the south of France is their definite geographical local fixation in the cities. They have their own residential areas, albeit extensive, but located at a sufficient distance from the center. By the way, it is not recommended for a white vacationer to go there either during the day or in the evening. You won't find anything fun there.
Half an hour later we are already walking through the old city. We visited a noble house, in which the prudent heirs of noble persons set up a museum on two floors, and lived modestly on the third floor. The impression is mixed, twilight, antique furniture, many decaying paintings with unhappy characters, the rooms smell of decay. Let's leave quickly. For some time we wander aimlessly along the beautiful streets and look at the people. People, by the way, are just people - we liked them most in Nice, Monaco and Cannes. Everyone has joyful, open faces, both children and adults and old people - all dressed tastefully, but not pretentiously, with philosophical, friendly, relaxed smiles on their lips. At first glance at them, it becomes clear that they live well, there are no dangerous enemies in the area, in the morning there are no insoluble problems or long-term oppressive financial difficulties. Already in Cannes I suddenly caught myself doing a strange thing. I noticed that I had been doing spy photography of pedestrians walking along the embankment for a good couple of hours. When looking through the pictures, I discovered that most of all the residents of Nice and Cannes love to eat ice cream. If they find it, they immediately lick it, suck it, bite it and simply swallow it, well, that’s what it looks like, at least judging by many street photographs. Southern French are happy people with ice cream, and everyone is like children!
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France has simply inexhaustible tourism opportunities. Depending on your preferences, you can go on a cheese binge, explore local winemaking traditions, imagine yourself as a participant in the Tour de France and ride a couple of passes on a bicycle, or collect a personal collection of sunsets over medieval ruins. Everything is abundance.
My selection of the most charming places in the South of France, which are definitely worth visiting if your plane lands in Toulouse, consists of just a dozen of these points on the map of the region. But in fact there are many more of them! Replenish, discover, be impressed, travel - and let the world smile at you!
Southern France. Cordes sur Ciel is a city in heaven.
The lion's share of the region as a whole is built around medieval cities, some of them are better preserved, others have suffered from time. Cordes-sur-Ciel is a unique place! Not only is it incomparably beautiful: traditional red roofs, small streets, stone houses... But these are not all the surprises for those who travel to the South of France.
The city is located on a hill, and those who want to enter its gates can expect a good workout for their legs and equally fun cardio: up, up and up again. The city lives up to its name! The fortress (yes, there are real walls) is nestled at the very top. Not surprisingly, the view of the surrounding area from here is simply stunning.
In Korda you can find ancient temples, beautiful Gothic buildings and a small shop-museum with real pastels, which were previously made from plants. You can drink your coffee overlooking the endless expanses and soft contours of the hills.
South of France. Albi - greatness and history
The main attractions of Albi, another medieval city that is now the second largest cultural and student center in the region, are the Henri Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, the Episcopal Palace with a beautiful view of the Tarn River and the huge Church of St. Cecilia. This Gothic cathedral, built in 1282-1512, has gone through many reconstructions and today impresses with its massiveness and grandeur. This entire part of the city is included in the World Cultural Heritage Sites.
By the way, the episcopal palace is distinguished not only by its beautifully trimmed garden and massive fortifications, but also by the seriousness of its construction: its inhabitants were so worried about their safety that one of the living bishops ordered the thickness of the walls to be increased to 8 meters. So that the enemy cannons don’t penetrate :)
There are two bridges across the Tarn in the central part of Albi. They are called the Old Bridge and the New Bridge. The newer one is taller.
Southern France. Carcassonne - walled city
The most beautiful fireworks displays on Bastille Day take place over this ancient walled city. And Carcassonne itself is one of the most visited attractions in the whole country. The castle has been beautifully reconstructed, it has many interesting halls with explanations, there are small museum rooms, and walking and inspection routes have been built on the wide walls. Within the walls of the old town there is a beautiful Gothic church, built in the same style as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Carcassonne is very well prepared to receive tourists, all explanatory signs are duplicated in English, and tickets (you will have to pay about 8 euros to enter the fortress walls) are reusable. So you can go out, walk through the souvenir shops, and come back again.
Carcassonne hosts various historical festivals, games, shows and performances. And in the summer, almost every weekend, visitors are pleased with some kind of separate program.
Being in this city is not only educational, but also very pleasant: everything is done here for the pleasure of tourists, from many medieval trinkets, a torture museum and other flavor to very good restaurants. So eating, trying and walking is the way to go.
South of France. Pyrenees Wildlife Reservation Park in Orgex
If you want to feel like a pioneer pedestrian, you should move closer to the mountainous regions of the Pyrenees. This is a real paradise for nature lovers! I left the car in the adjacent parking lot, chose a route, and off I went. You want it for an hour, you want it for three, or you want it for the whole day. And in my photo, a beautiful domestic cow fits harmoniously into the wild landscape of the Pyrenees Mountains.
From time to time, information days are held in the park: then foresters, zoologists and ornithologists become lecturers and guides for adults and children. For example, you can see adorable fat marmots that eat for eight months and then sleep for four months in winter. And there’s nothing even to say about mountain streams, sky-high trees and the endlessly sweet smell of alpine meadows! By the way, no one takes water with them on a hike here: the purest streams run over the rocks at any time of the year.
What to see in France. Col de Port pass
Well, if you want to test yourself, then you should take a bike and try to overcome one of the passes, of which there are countless numbers here in the Pyrenees. Many are well equipped: observation decks, restaurants, signs, and even a tourism center (the Col de Port is almost always closed:).
The closer you get to the border with Spain, the sharper the ridges on the horizon, the more inaccessible the task of climbing them seems. However, the quality of the road surface allows you to navigate these roads without any problems using any type of transport. Cyclists simply adore the local area - not only do the roads pass through the most picturesque places, but they are also famous for the most famous cycling race in the world. A small but very picturesque pass is not formally included in the Tour de France race route, but is no worse than any other neighboring one. And small waterfalls and views will make the walk breathtaking. During my time, I only descended from this pass on a bicycle :). But people constantly storm it and defeat it! And it's amazing.
France. Lombriv Cave - the widest in Europe
The Iberian region is replete with a wide variety of caves that are directly related to different prehistoric times. Lomvbriv is the widest cave in Europe. It is difficult to say how experts carry out measurements, but visually this parameter is determined as follows: in some places a truck can easily pass under its arches.
Photography is prohibited in Lombriv. So this is a photo from the Internet. But during the two and a half hours that the excursion will last, visitors will find such a variety of natural beauty that not a single memory card will be enough.
The cave has several levels, some of which are flooded with water. Those that are “land” are amazing in size. True, in some places you have to make your way almost on all fours: in order to find yourself in an even larger space. A sort of mixture of contradictions in one bottle. Cool!
Southern France. Foix - the Middle Ages in action
Foix is the capital of the Ariège department, which is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The city is famous for its majestic castle, which has survived all adversities well and after reconstruction looks “like candy.” It hosts various excursions (you can even go on a night one!), but, in my opinion, the best way to admire Foix Castle is from the outside. Fortunately, you won’t get bored on the streets of the city: it’s customary to drink coffee and dine on open terraces here, and the local people also love festivals and fairs.
Foix Castle has three different towers. It looks eclectic, but has its own historical roots and is associated with changing times and the change of “owners” of the castle.
Like many other cities in the region, Foix was built “in cramped conditions, but not in a cramped way”: there are practically no straight streets with direct intersections here, and it’s easy to get lost in the crowded medieval houses. But no need to worry! The entire central part of the city can be walked on foot in an hour maximum.
France. Devil's Bridge
If you deviate literally ten kilometers from the road to Foix and turn off the highway closer to the mountains, you can find the remains of a stone bridge (medieval, of course!), which is called the Devil's Bridge. In general, there are a lot of such bridges with a similar unpleasant name all over the world, and everyone has their own motives for such a name. In the case of the bridge in the Ariège region of Southern France, we are talking, first of all, about extremely turbulent currents and dangerous whirlpools. They say that once you fall into this water, there is very little chance of getting out.
The bridge has preserved the remains of either buildings or towers that rose above it, and constantly attracts tourists. But hanging over the railing and looking for a long time into the black water of a mountain river foaming from below is truly creepy! B-rr-r-r-r….
South of France. Market in Saint Gerona
Do you love bazaars as much as the French do? Oh, if even for one minute you are now rejoicing in your soul, then you should definitely go on Saturday morning to the market in the town of Saint-Jeron, magnificent in its abundance and color. The French love trade very much, and therefore they do everything related to market relations with great inspiration. In addition, fairs, exhibitions and various folk festivals for any occasion are held in Saint Gerona.
In addition, some of the houses and buildings are located so close to the water that sometimes it seems that if there is a good flood, housewives will not have to wash the floors by hand for a long time.
Southern France. Tarascon-sur-Ariège - at the crossroads
Let’s finish the review with another charming city in every sense, which is located at the intersection of almost all the routes that we talked about today. Tarascon is an amazing place with a lot of life, but all of it is concentrated on... a small scale. Here you can play paintball, kayak and canoe, go to the mountains and to the cinema, listen to an open-air concert and dance salsa at a local festival. You can have a very tasty lunch and stay in a small hotel. And from Tarascon it’s a stone’s throw to the caves, to Foix, and to the passes.
And it is in Tarascon that there is the only church in France, where under the frescoes (when they were removed for restoration) a unique paper canvas of the revolutionary flag was discovered. In addition to all this, Tarascon knows how to charm its guests with the calm atmosphere and tranquility that is so inherent in this region and which makes life in France very special.
Larisa Mishchanchuk, PtaXa, journalist, author of poetry, photographer and inspiring mother of two daughters, who decided to, material taken from Larisa’s website ptaxa.kiev.ua.