Hi, <BR> <BR>Planning a trip to France in the fall. All reservations made except for 3 nights in the Carcassonne area. We will have a car so don't necessarily care about staying in the walled city. Has anyone heard of the Chateau de Floure-a former abbey a few km from Carcassonne? Any suggestions for a nice B&B ensuite for preferably no more than $100-$125 US? Any help would be greatly appreciated--THANKS!

I have never been to Carcassonne, and I get criticized here for answering with nothing more than Internet research. I hear a lot of disillusionment connected with Carcassonne, and I figured that this is a "hole" in my familiarity with the more popular destinations of France. <BR> <BR>So, this may or may not be worth anything to you. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. <BR> <BR>Take a look at the web page www.cathares.org/gpc08.pdf - - you'll need Adobe reader. Write to me if you don't know what that means - - or it may direct you to a download of Adobe reader automatically if you don't already have it. <BR> <BR>It looks to me like maybe the &lt;&lt;chambre d'hote&gt;&gt; - - (roughly a synonym in French for B&B) for #2 (in yellow-orange) - - M. Christopher Gibson "La ferme Sauzette" (in Palaja) might be a match for what you are seeking. Tel: 04.68.79.81.32 - - I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Gibson is British. I understand that the British have a great attraction for the medieval era connected with "le Pays Cathare" in the departement of Aude. And they have bought up vacation properties like crazy all over the south of France. <BR> <BR>On a related note, you might also look at www.cathares.org/personnage.html - - on the same website for a "visite virtuelle" - - or www.cathares.org/guide-du-pays-cathare.html to order a copy of "le guide pratique" of the area (in French only, perhaps). Even available as a download ("telechargement") - - at www.cathares.org/gpc-it.html (this will lead you to the map listed above). <BR> <BR>Hope you can use this in some way. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Dear Rex, <BR> <BR>Thank you for your most helpful reply-the web sites are quite informative. By the way, your name is delightful (REX) as my oldest grandsons name is also Rex! Bravo for moms that use some originality in naming their children! <BR> <BR>Sandy

We stayed at a hotel called Carcassonne Trois Couronnes. Some rooms have views of the walled city which is lit up at night. It was a reasonable price and within walking distance of the walled city. We spent one night there and it was adequate to see the walled city. We also enjoyed Arles on our way to Provance. Have fun. Karen

We stayed at The Mercure Le Vicomte Carcassone several years ago. It is within walking distance of the walled city. The rooms facing the walled city have a wonderful view of the city lit up at night. The room was nicely decorated and the staff were very friendly.