A Sunday Walk Through Cordes-Sur-Ciel

From a distance, the town appears like a red and white mountain against a green backdrop. The sign at the village entrance is a plaque with a quote from Camus, who thought this little place was heaven on earth. It's the quintessential example of "bastide"-- or fortified village. The Gothic facades are built of varying shades of sandstone, and the church is elaborately carved with funky and strange looking gargoyles. The village was built around the church and central square with a covered market on the hilltop, a tough climb to the summit. You can imagine the challenge for invaders. It gets me musing about how warlike the French were in history. A countryside dotted with castles and competing armies and allegiances. Apparently back in the day (like 1200-1300), Cordes-sur-Ciel was a village of Cathars. For me, this town provides the ultimate image of the Middle Ages.