Carcassonne

Carcassonne is home to a massive citadel built up from Roman times through the 17th century.

The Visigoths made the first major additions to the citadel.

The city is supposedly named after Lady Carcas, who supposedly ended a siege by tricking Charlemagne's soldiers into thinking Carcassonne had plenty of food to hold out.

The city became a hub of the Cathar hersesy, and the Cathars were expelled in 1209 during the Albigensian Crusade.

The city came under the control of France in 1247 and became an important border fortress with Spain.

The citadel was viewed as impregnable after its expansion by the French crown. It withstood a siege by the Black Prince during the 100 Years War.

After France took Roussillon in 1659, the French border moved south and Carcassonne lost strategic importance.

By the 1800s Carcassonne had fallen into complete disrepair, so Viollet-le-Duc was commissioned to restore the citadel.

Lady Carcas

Head corbels

Funeral stele

A 12th century fountain

A trace of Roman Carcassonne

The town of Carcassone often did not get along with the Citadel of Carcassonne.

A theater has been built in a corner of the citadel.

Wine is grown just outside Carcassonne's walls

The Basilique Saint Nazaire

You can't go to Carcassonne and not eat Cassoulet.

Carcassonne in Carcassonne

One of France's great foods, the foie gras burger.

Spectacular!