
Just before the fireworks begin, the lights along the Aude are turned out, to better let the walled city have her moment of glory.



The slate shingles reflect the light, making the turrets pink, then green. Reminded me of when Flora and Merryweather change the color of Aurora's dress in the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty.





The walled medieval city was an absolutely stunning stage for the show. Easy to understand why scads of people--sometimes close to a million (600K+ this year)--travel the world to see it. And the show goes on and on. The bursts of colored light pile up, one atop another, in a crazy crescendo. More than once I thought, "This is it; this is the finale," but the fireworks continued and continued, encouraged, I'm sure, by the enchanted cries of "Encore! Encore!" coming from a certain wee Sprout snuggled on her Manou's lap.