I didn’t heat as much as Carcassonne throughout my first go to years in the past. I stayed contained in the medieval metropolis in August. It was sizzling, crowded, and actually, a bit overwhelming. I left considering it simply wasn’t for me.
However every part modified on my return visits, particularly once I lastly noticed Carcassonne at night time. In January, with blue skies and nearly no vacationers, I began to understand its magnificence. After which, on a June keep a number of years later, I noticed a very totally different facet of the town. As night settled in, the partitions started to glow, just one or two different guests wandered La Cité (the medieval coronary heart of Carcassonne) and Carcassonne turned probably the most photogenic locations I’ve ever skilled.
My featured picture for this publish—a part of my France By means of My Lens sequence—was taken on that June night time.
1. Carcassonne At Evening


Throughout my January go to, my pal and I simply visited within the late afternoon. Whereas the black and white photographs of the outside had been somewhat haunting, the photographs from the identical angle and perspective of the skin partitions at night time had been those that I most well-liked.
They had been taken at about 10:15 pm and I used to be close to one of many entrances to La Cité. The lights are strategically positioned across the partitions they usually gave off a golden gentle with dramatic shadows, creating a extremely particular ambiance.
2. Theme: Mild, Stillness, and a Totally different Aspect of Carcassonne
Throughout that June night, I wandered in and round La Cité and the entire ambiance modified. The crowds had disappeared, the warmth of the day was gone, and as a substitute of vivid summer season gentle there was this smooth mixture of moonlight and heat illumination on the ramparts and pathways.
Solely a handful of different guests had been round, so it felt calm and unhurried—nearly like Carcassonne had slowed down for the night time. I used to be strolling by myself, however I felt utterly protected and surprisingly peaceable.
3. Why I Selected This Picture
This nighttime photograph captures the Carcassonne I want I had found years earlier. As a result of it’s taken from exterior the partitions, there are not any individuals—simply the illuminated fortress standing quietly by itself. It’s the way in which I need to bear in mind Carcassonne: quiet and superbly lit.

I do love this different photograph of Carcassonne taken in January, primarily due to the blue sky and inexperienced grass; nonetheless, there’s nothing like a darkish, night picture.
4. What Journey/Submit Was This Taken From?
This photograph was taken throughout my 2 month journey to France throughout my Journey #33 to France. I stayed in Carcassonne for 4 nights. The climate wasn’t nice once I arrived in mid-June. It was cloudy, cool and raining. However issues improved the subsequent few days with daytime temperatures between 18°C-22°C-perfect climate for that point of yr and for exploring the fortress at night time.
You may examine the whole journey right here: Journey #33.
5. Why You Ought to Go to Carcassonne
Select your timing correctly when planning a visit to Carcassonne. Excessive season positively brings crowds, however visiting early within the morning or later within the night (after dinner, when most vacationers have left) makes an enormous distinction. The low season and shoulder season are additionally nice choices. Remember to discover the ramparts and outer partitions, and don’t skip the views from under—particularly from the riverbanks and close by bridges.
Along with the journey report and methods to go to Carcassonne, you may think about these further posts associated to Carcassonne:
This publish is a part of my France By means of My Lens sequence, the place I share one photograph at a time from my travels. You may discover the complete assortment right here: France By means of My Lens
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