Citadel of Carcassonne

The Medieval Citadel of Carcassonne in southern France possesses an exceptional legacy of a fortified city from the Middle Ages. Immerse yourself in an ancient world and soak up the atmosphere in this city that transports visitors of all ages into a medieval dream.

The fortifications as well as the castle and cathedral, are impressive monuments that reflect the vivid image of this historic fortified city. A flawed image, in fact, since it is generally assumed that Viollet-le-Duc was responsible for imprecise reconstructions during its restoration. However, most of the ramparts and towers (at least 85% of the total) are authentic and still feature important architectural elements of the Lower Roman Empire walls in its lower parts.

The cathedral, especially its interior, is an authentic and integral part of the feudal, and then royal, design of this great medieval fortress. The work of architect Viollet-le-Duc demands respect. This project is also notable for its consistency compared to his subsequent projects. The renovation and reconstruction work initiated by Viollet-le-Duc, conducted by Boeswillwald, was one of the most important of its kind in the 19th century. For several decades it remained the standard in renovation projects in most of Europe, and beyond…

Source:
Carcassonne, A World Heritage Site, by Jerome Sabatier
Carcassonne, A World Heritage Site is available as Kindle eBook from Amazon
For more info on all editions of World Heritage of France series by Jérôme Sabatier.