Here under Carcassonne, you will find travel information about Carcassonne, as well as general information.
The city of Carcassonne was built on the right bank of the River Aude. Carcassonne is made up of a fortified centre, the chateau Comtal and a double surrounding wall. The outside one, with 14 towers, is separated from the interior wall, with 24 towers, by the lists. Abandoned when it lost its strategic importance after the annexation of Roussillon, the city seemed condemned to ruin when Prosper Merimee drew attention to it. With a taste for the medieval style, Viollet-Le-Duc was then entrusted with the restoration.
When walking aroud Carcassonne, don't miss Rue Cros Mayrevieille. This road allows access directly to the Chateau Comtal, but it is just as pleasant to idle through the medieval market town with its twisting alleys, flanked by numerous small shops.
The Comtal Chateau was built in the 12C the Trencavel Palace and was transformed into a Citadel after 1226. Since the reign of St Louis, an immense ditch and a semi circular barbican have transformed it into a fortress inside the city. It houses a lapidary Museum (see the Calvary of Villaniere) and also has two interior courtyards of remarkable architectural interest set against numerous towers (West-Rampart).
The Aude Gate is a major part of the lists between the two surrounding walls, and is reached from the lower town by the Aude hill, by the road leading from foot of the hill. It is strongly defended by two small castles, a weapons emplacement and gates.
The lower Lists. Between the Aude gate and the Narbonnaise gate, you will find the Inquisition tower with it prison and its chains where a single viewing will suffice to make you confess to anything. Carry on to the round Tower of Justice. Notice the difference between the original southern roofs and the angular ones of Viollet-le-Duc.
In the Saint Nazaire Basilica, you will be taken by the contrast between the central nave, a fine example of southern Romanesque art, both simple and severe, and the Gothic Chevet lit up by the bays of the apse and the six Eastern chapels. The stained-glass windows (13 and 14 C) are among the most interesting in the Midi, while remarkable statues surround the chancel stalls. As regards the west side with its clock face wall crowned with crenellations, this is the inspiration of Viollet-le-Duc.
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