Southwest France & the Spanish Pyrenees

Carcassonne, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Barcelona & the Basque Country. The medieval fortified town of Carcassonne alone is one of the most visited cities in France. There are ski resorts and spas throughout this area, as well as innumerable historic sites and monuments. Coverage extends from Languedoc-Rouissillon and Aquitaine in France to Spanish Catelonia, Aragon and Navarre. Ancient cathedrals abound and the church in the tiny village of Rennes le Chateau is thought to have been visited by Mary Magdalene and to be where the Holy Grail is hidden. By contrast, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most unusual churches in the world, with its melting sand-castle appearance and odd bubble-shaped spires. This guide covers it all, with detailed information on what to see, how to get around, where to stay and eat, plus activities from hiking to shopping, canoeing to theater-going.