The Wandering Scot

An occasional travel journal.

Browsing Posts tagged France

I have successfully both entered and escaped the legendary Château d’If! The real-life Château d’If is almost exactly as described in Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo. A stern 16th century castle on a tiny fortified island offshore from Marseilles, with strong walls, dank cells, and few visitors. The tourist authorities have helpfully labeled one […]

Carcassonne: Medieval Walls

I’m enjoying the historic medieval French city of Carcassonne.  It is perfectly formed, with magnificent double curtain walls, a grand fortress, tall round towers with spiky roofs, portcullis gates, the works.  It is very cool! Note that this is not like one of those recent Chinese “restorations” of Ancient City Walls.  Mais non!  This is […]