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.