Lourdes

After breakfast we walked to Le Chateau Fort et son Musee Pyrenees. The fortress has never been defeated and has exceptional views of the city, sanctuaries and Pyrenees. During the conquest of the Gual, the Romans where thought to be the first to take advantage of this strategic position. In 778 Charlemagne laid siege to the fortress that was occupied by Saracens.

In the eleventh and twelfth centuries the almost impregnable fortress was the lordly residence of the Count of Bigorre. It became the stronghold from which to control the routes in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It had many other uses over the centuries such as a prison in the reign of Henri IV, a military barracks in the nineteenth century and then a museum in 1921. We walked all around and even took the spiral staircase which has 104 steps to the top of the tower and the keep. It is 26 meters and was quite a workout, you get a bit dizzy on the stairs which seem to go around and around for ever.

We then took the bus to the Funicular du Pic du Jer. This cable car has been running since 1900 and has a 360 view of the Pyrenees. The views from here are just incredible as the summit is 1000 meters in altitude. You can look over the whole city and surrounding regions and the snow capped mountains seem just a stone throw away. We had lunch on the top of the mountain over looking the stunning view.Croque Monsieur - Ham and Cheese Sandwich. This is so yummy, it's a toasted ham sandwich with béchamel sauce on top sprinkled with cheese and then this part is quickly pan fried. So good, so many calories.

Today the mountain is hosting a mountain bike event and we watch as they take off down the mountainside. One guy was not so lucky and when we got back to the bottom there was an ambulance waiting with 4 paramedics. A jeep arrived with the victim and there was more medics with him then a ambulance type car showed up which I guess was like our Medstar and 3 people in white coats got out. They transferred him to the gurney very carefully then pumped up a full body length cocoon thing around him. It took them about 30 minutes before they took off so we are guessing he was seriously injured.

We headed back to the hotel to veg out for a while after all our exercise climbing to the fortress and it's staircase. This afternoon you can hear the Indians playing the pan pipes which sounds really nice. The Indians are in full costume, feather head dress the lot. Seems a strange place to see them but their music sounds good. There are a few gypsys around but not a lot, they just beg and not very intrusive. You have to feel sorry for the kids who they use to try and suck you in.

We went back to the resturant by the river, Riviera Sol for dinner. We had the same efficent waiter we had the night before. The meals where good and and Kathy and I finished the meal with the cafe gramond. This time we had chocolate mouse, ice-cream, macaroons and creme brûlée. Very yummy. The setting was again gorgeous with the river and fortress our back drop.

Lourdes is not to be missed so if you are ever in Southern France you must come here. We all agree it's our favorite place so far for it's beauty and serenity.

Off to Limoges tomorrow.

BTW I put a few more photos on Facebook.