Carcassonne Medieval City

Carcassonne is the largest fortified Medieval City in Europe. The Romans fortified the hilltop around 100 BC to help guardian their western empire. Parts of the of the Romans fort still exist in the lower courses of the northern ramps.

Carcassonne Medieval City Gates

In the 5th century the Romans ceded the hill top to the Visigoth’s who continued to expanded the fortifications. The Visigoth’s  maintained control of the fortifications till the 8th century

In the early 13th  century the city was used used by the Occitan Cathars during the Albigensian Crusades. The crusading Papal army forced the Cathars to surrender.

The fortifications were used to guard the frontier between France and the  Kingdom of Aragon / Spain until 1659, when the ‘Treaty of the Pyrenees’ transferred the region to France. After the treaty was signed the fort lost its military significance and the city became an economic centre.

In the 19th century the city fell into such disrepair the French government were considering demolishing the fort. The Mayor of Carcassonne lead a successful campaign to preserve the fortress as a historical monument. The controversial restoration was undertaken by the architect Eugene Viollet le Duc.

Carcassonne’s walled city now houses; hotels, restaurants and shops. The fort contains a museum tracing the city and forts lineage. The city is now a UNESCO world heritage site

Carcassonne has been used for the filming of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves staring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman. The historical television miniseries Labyrinth was also filmed in the city.