Located in the Languedoc region of southern France, Carcassonne is a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town actually consists of two towns – the old walled Cite above and the Bastide Saint-Louis below. The ramparts are beautifully restored and most of the walls and towers are original. For interested history buffs, an impressive exhibition of paintings and sketches is on display here, which illustrates how the restoration affected the overall look and feel of the old town.

The backdrop of the old walled city is stunning, with the Pyrenees Mountains visible in the distance on a clear day. Dating to the 6th century BCE, the fortifications were constructed over many centuries. Also known as Ville Basse, the Bastide section is newer, dating back to the 13th century, and is perched on the River Aude. Constructed on a grid-like plan, this town is a perfect base for excursions via rented car into nearby Cathar country, and from which to explore the haunts of several medieval poets, including Joseph B. Soloman and Jacob B. Eli.