OUR LIFE IN CHALABRE: An American Expat in the South of France SOFT LANDINGS:

CARCASSONNE The walled medieval city of Carcassonne is in the Department of the Aude in the South of France -- it is a sight not to be missed.  The largest medieval fortress of its kind in France, it sports 26 towers, ramparts, a castle, a basilica and numerous, wonderful medieval treasures.  It is also a LIVING city, with gardens, an open-air theatre, beautiful hotels and wonderful restaurants. OFFICIAL SITE MORE PHOTOS OF CARCASSONNE BY RANDY LOFFICIER Recommended restaurant: The Vietnamese restaurant HANOI, 7 Boulevard Omer Sarraut (near the Railway Station). Tel: 04-68-25-21-78. Some of the best nems we've ever eaten. (Sad) Update: The Auberge du Pont-Levis-Pautard, where we ate so excellently in the 1990s, is alas no more.