đ«đ· The Village of Dancing Witches: Villefranche-de-Conflent
A hidden Pyrenean gem where Catalan roots run deepâand witches hang from doorways! đ Where? Nestled in the Pyrenees mountains (France-Spain border), just 1h from Perpignan. âł Recommended Stay: 2 days âš Why Itâs Magic "Not Quite France": Locals still speak Catalan and cling to their identity. Meet Maria: A Buddhist, China-loving grandma who shut her art gallery to give me a free tour! (Sheâs visited China 8 times đŻ and adores Mandarinâdespite "struggling with tones" đ). Chilling Water Channels: Stone aqueducts funnel mountain water through townânatureâs AC even in summer! âïž đ§âïž The Witchcraft Secret Puppet Witches (unique to this town!): Legend says real witches avoided homes already "occupied" by these dangling dolls. Workshop Visit: Watched an artisan hand-stitch witch hats from black fabricâspooky yet adorable. đ° UNESCO Hidden Gem Vaubanâs Fortress: A star-shaped military marvel (part of a World Heritage site), built to fake out invadersâthough never used! đ Travel Epiphany "Life isnât a fairy taleâbut sometimes, you need a witch (or a clown) to laugh through the storms." (From "As Long As You Remember the Way Home") #BackpackerFinds #FrenchPyrenees #WitchVillage #OffbeatFrance #TravelThatMovesYou
