On to Carcassonne

A hot run across the Spanish border

Roads lined this plane trees in the Midi Pyrenees

And on to Carcassonne

Medieval citadel

Relic of the Cathar Dream

Survivor of the Cathar Wars.

Bastion of the past

Standing on the hill

Survivor of centuries

Weathered wall the keepers of secrets through the ages

The ancient citadel on the hill

Carcasonne

The citadel dressed up for the Tour d’ France

It well hold its secrets to the sun sets over it for the last time.

Into the Pyrenees – 3- a touch of local culture

Following the race route

Up and down

Round and round

Towns and villages

Snakes the Tour d’ France course

Through little villages where the French traditional food culture thrives

In the village of Arreau Christmas tree cake

Rich almond batter

Still baked in the traditional way

Over the open fire

Pretty little villages

Full of life and joie de vivre

Into the Pyrenees – 1 – Cauterets, the Pont d’ Espagna, and the World Cup win

France wins and Cauterets celebrates

In a quite valley

In the Pyrenees

A few sort miles from Spain

Over the Pont d’ Espagna

Cascading

Water

Bringing joy and beauty

On the bridge to Spain

In the Haute Pyrenees

And in bars in Cauterets the faithful watch the world cup being won

And the Gendarme too sounded the victory siren

In Cauterets when France won the World Cup.