Thursday morning, I packed and then did a quick tour of the city of Bordeaux. It is much bigger than I thought, with a beautiful drive along the river and lovely old stone buildings and leafy plazas. Then I started the four hour drive back to Montpellier so I could meet my husband at the airport at 8pm. On the way, I stopped to visit the amazing ancient city of Carcassonne. It was hard to miss it, because you could see it from the toll way.

I’m glad I stopped, because it was a beautiful warm spring day, and the city was filled with tourists, wandering musicians, cute shops, and charming restaurants. The city itself was built in the 13th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by huge stone walls and towers. Inside are tiny winding cobble-stone streets, stone buildings, and a beautiful old church. It is considered to be the most intact medieval city left in the world – and definitely worth a visit.

I had lunch in a sunny outdoor restaurant and savored a glass of red wine as I watched the crowds wander down the narrow street. Then I visited the church, and did some shopping to purchase gifts for people back home. I found the prices quite reasonable. It was a wonderful respite, before getting back on the expressway to arrive in Montpellier for the evening.

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