Phespirit goes to France
French Pyrenees     June/July 2003

AX-LES-THERMES FEET FIRST

Sitting outside the Ax-les-Thermes hospital for crusaders and lepers, bare feet dangling in the warm sulphurous water of the Bassin des Ladres, facing across the road towards the Church of St. Vincent: this is the view.

FOIX REACHING

The austere triple-towered Château de Foix looms large at the heart of town.

Here it is at its most looming.

VILLEFRANCHE TOWN FRENCH

Villefranche de Conflent has high mediæval walls intended to send the message if your name's not down you're not coming in .....

Observe Fort Libéria a bit higher up, adding to a sense of intimidation and inhospitality.

Nowadays, of course, visitors are welcome, so Phespirit did not need his longbow.