Canal du Midi - Day 5

Our fifth and final full day on the Alouette started chilly and overcast as we continued up the canal.

And tied up for our final excursion, a visit to historic La Cité de Carcassonne. It was only three of us today as Mrs. SFO decided to take a break and relax on board.

La Cité de Carcassonne is an amazing medieval citadel that dates back nearly 2,000 years. It's 3km of double surrounding walls made it impenetrable. The walls, design and defense systems made it one of the few villages never to be been overrun or conquered by enemy forces. As a result, it remains largely intact centuries later. After the Eiffel Tower, it is apparently the most visited site in France.

The inner castle which was apparently the third wall of defense.

Impressive old Hotel de la Cité, now an M Gallery Accor hotel.

Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne, dating from the 13th century.

Inexplicably featuring a quintet of Russian singers every half hour, with CDs to purchase if you like, spaseeba.

There are literally hundreds of restaurants in the inner city. I guess you need them all if you are indeed 2nd only to Le Tour Eiffel in tourists.

No doubt he woke up this morning looked in the mirror and thought "damn I look good today".  

The Cité train? Sure why not.

Goes around the walls with a narrative. Zzzzz, could have passed on that one.

Back to The Alouette and lunch!

As we cruised up the canal back to Carcassonne. More lock dogs, this one knew the Alouette was coming and patiently waited for Capt Joe.

While the girls went into Carcassonne for manis, I biked down the canal path towards Carcassonne.

Finally.  What took you so long? 

Ryanair.  LOL.  I don't think so.

Pulling in for our final afternoon and evening.

Hors d'oeuvres.

Tonight's menu. Mackerel? Really? Guess we forgot to put that one on "do not serve" list. 

And Ang's cute table setting as we dined on the deck tonight on a perfect +20/68 evening.

Yup, as bad as it sounded.

We were talking about crepes earlier in the day, et voila...

After dinner, the entire crew come out for a farewell champagne toast.

What an amazing over the top experience. Exceptional service, accommodations, wine and (other than the mackerel) amazing food.  
The crew was simply fabulous and I would heartily recommend the Alouette Canal du Midi cruise.