The Good Life France Magazine




The Good Life France Magazine brings you the best of France - inspirational and exclusive features, fabulous photos, mouth-watering recipes, tips, guides, ideas and much more...


Published by the award winning team at The Good Life France

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2 years ago

Issue No. 17

Packed with fabulous features: Carcassonne, Nimes, Orange in Provence, Nice Carnival, Paris at Christmas, Laval in Mayenne, absinthe, the fashion district of Paris, recipes, guides and more. Our secret ingredient is passion!

The 14th century

The 14th century Cathedral of Saint-Michel, has beautifully painted walls inside. All cathedrals used to have painted interiors and the artwork was covered with egg white as a preservative, but over the centuries the paint faded. Here though, the cathedral doors were closed in the 16th century and it was left like that for years. Amazingly it looks so fresh you’d think it had only just been done. While I was there an old lady with white hair and a black dress wielding a duster over the pews asked if I’d like to know more about the Cathedral and of her own story. “I come here every day of the week. I clean and mend things and help the Bishop” she said proudly pointing to the furniture she’s restored and curtains she’s sewn. Rose’s work here is so important that its even been recognised by the National Monuments organisation of France. “I come here to thank God for a miracle” she says. She tells me that her grandchild was gravely ill, suffering from multiple sclerosis and at 8 years old was in a wheelchair. She prayed to the Pope and to God “with all my heart and my prayer was heard. My grandchild is now 19 years old, healthy, no longer in a wheelchair”. This is a city with a lot of soul. Above: Rose who helps out the Cathedral Saint-Michel (right) where she was granted a miracle

information Getting to Carcassone: The train from Paris takes from 5 hours 22 minutes. Nearest airport: Carcassonne Airport, shuttle service to city centre (connections to the UK, Brussels and France). Where to stay: La Vielle Maison is at the base of the citadel and a few minutes walk to both the old city and Bastide Saint Louis. Villa de Mazamet is about a 45 minute drive from Carcassonne and offers a luxurious and delicious stay, voted the best B&B in France on TripAdvisor several years in a row. Tourist office information: en.destinationsuddefrance.com www.tourism-carcassonne.co.uk