City on the swamp.

Trip Start Apr 10, 2010

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174

Trip End Apr 10, 2011

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Flag of France Aigues-Mortes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Monday, November 15, 2010

The best part of Aigues Mortes isn't the surrounding swampland, although we did finally see flocks of wild flamingos. The best thing is the vast square walls and ramparts that surround the town. Not only that, but an insanely thick tower called the tower of Constance, a once royal safehold, then a prison for protestants. The stone walls had to be 10-12 meters high all the way around, but more amazing than that is the fact that it is built on top of wetland mud. They say they were built on beams of timber to disperse the weight. It really is amazing how all these towns are built up onto the marsh.

We spent a day in the town wandering around. The place was practically deserted and there were only a few shops open. We can only speculate why everything was shut on a Monday and can only find resolve in the idea that the frenchies are all still hung over from the weekend.

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