Cathare castel and Coulliere

I forgot to add these photos before the entry about Arles. On our way from Limoux to Arles we decided to take a detour stop in Coulliere, at small town on the Mediterranean close to the Spanish border. On our way there we stopped to check out a cathare castle. The area between Limoux and the Spanish border is littered with them. After the Albigensian Crusades they were used by both the Spanish and French militaries as outposts and vantage points as the border fluctuated north and south.


Looking down into the valley below the chateau. Don't the shadows made by the clouds look neat? I thought so. The next picture is the same scene, but zoomed out.

Finally, the castle itself!

Next stop: Coulliere! Here is a view of the fort that dominates the port town.

The fort again from another angle.

A pier. Obviously.

This town was so beautiful, the photos don't do it justice.

At the end of this walkway is the lighthouse. Unfortunately, it is closed to the public.


Looking down from the wall at the waves breaking against the base.

The Spanish like their alters to be ornate.

Looking down at Coulliere.

Again, from farther away.

Looking up the coast toward Perpigan.

We hiked on this trail along the edge of a valley. It was pretty cool. Then Matt and I decided to climb a mountain.
On our way up. Unfortunately, there is no photographic proof because the batteries in my camera died. How typical!

This is Matt halfway to the top. The batteries died after this picture. And you can't even really tell how high up we are! NOT FAIR!

Another fort high above Coulliere.

First Stop: Arles

The first place that we went after leaving Limoux was Arles. We stayed here for four nights and made it our base from which to visit some of Provence. We spent Christmas Eve here as well. Arles is well known for it's rich Roman ruins. Immediately below are a couple photos of what is left of the Roman theatre.




There is also a really cool Roman coliseum in Arles. They are in the process of restoring it. You can really see the difference between the old and new parts in some of the photos. Also, to this day the coliseum is still used for live bull fights. I really wanted to go see one, but we didn't get the chance.



Dad and I went back to the coliseum at night. There was a full moon that night. I thought this was absolutely that coolest picture with the moon framed by the coliseum. So artistic.














This river, the Rhone, ran right behind our hotel. We parked along it every night.


This is Matt and his sweeeet sheep that I brought him from Ireland. We named him McCallahan.

All the family together on Christmas Eve.

My parents room at the hotel.

My brother and I's room is at the end of th hall.

Blurry at breakfast.

Our hotel.