The South of France

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We spent the week exploring all the little towns and villages around Perpignan. It is a very cultivated area mainly in vines and market gardens. the vine yards all had a rather run down poor look about them and often some of the vines had died off. all the little villages we visited were filled with narrow streets on a hill so they could keep an eye on the enemy. Some of the houses were so small and narrow, some were only about 2 metres wide. We visited the villages of Amelei les Bains, which is a town right by a river with hot springs. Ille sur Tet was a fortified village. The wall around it was at least 2 metres thick. It was watched over by a fort on the top of the hill. the town of Carcassonnne has a massive fortified town on top of a hill. It is completely in tack and has a small thriving town inside. Many small hotels and gift shops. Driving around the villages was a great way to discover the area.

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Photos

Collioure
This castle is still used by the navy to hard up young recruits

Villefranche de Confient
A small village inside a very thick wall.