Carcassonne, Hiking and Biking, Carcassonne Southern France
Carcassonne is a
medieval walled city
on a hilltop near the
canal du Midi in
Southern France.
The 12 Century site
which has over fifty
towers is listed as a
UNESCO World
Heritage site.
medieval walled city
on a hilltop near the
canal du Midi in
Southern France.
The 12 Century site
which has over fifty
towers is listed as a
UNESCO World
Heritage site.
The Canal du Midi
is a 17th Century
link between the
Atlantic Ocean and
the Mediterranean
Sea that provides
tour barges and
tree-lined walkways
on both sides for
biking and hiking.
is a 17th Century
link between the
Atlantic Ocean and
the Mediterranean
Sea that provides
tour barges and
tree-lined walkways
on both sides for
biking and hiking.
Carcassonne
Photos by Willy
Scholliers
Photos by Willy
Scholliers
Carcassonne, A UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
World Heritage Site.
Carcassonne in the Languedoc region
of south France between Toulouse and
Narbonne is a great visit . The old walled city
of Carcassonne, a Gothic and Medieval
city is comprised of two miles of walls.
Perched high on a hill and capped by 56
towers. The fort gives you a view of the
Pyrenees Mountains and the border with
Spain.
of south France between Toulouse and
Narbonne is a great visit . The old walled city
of Carcassonne, a Gothic and Medieval
city is comprised of two miles of walls.
Perched high on a hill and capped by 56
towers. The fort gives you a view of the
Pyrenees Mountains and the border with
Spain.
History
Two towns comprise Carcassonne, one the
walled City on a hill and the other a town
below that spans the River Aude.
The lower town is a 13 the century
settlement designed in a grid-like pattern
surrounded by walls.
The first settlement in the area dates to the
Gauls of the 9th to the 6th century BC and
the region was later inhabited by the
Romans around the 1st century BC.
Most of what is visible today is a nineteenth
century restoration ( 1853) by Eugene
Viollet-le-Duc that some said was
heavy-handed. Most of the walls and towers
are original, however, as can be seen by
archival paintings done before the
restoration. Without this work the walls
would have been destroyed.
walled City on a hill and the other a town
below that spans the River Aude.
The lower town is a 13 the century
settlement designed in a grid-like pattern
surrounded by walls.
The first settlement in the area dates to the
Gauls of the 9th to the 6th century BC and
the region was later inhabited by the
Romans around the 1st century BC.
Most of what is visible today is a nineteenth
century restoration ( 1853) by Eugene
Viollet-le-Duc that some said was
heavy-handed. Most of the walls and towers
are original, however, as can be seen by
archival paintings done before the
restoration. Without this work the walls
would have been destroyed.
Carcassonne, A Brief History
Archaeological evidence points to settlement of the area of Carcassonne in 3,500 BC and evidence of trade
and commerce by Celtic people during the 6th century BC. The Romans built fortifications on the hill in 100 BC,
some of which is still evident in the base of the later walls.
The Visigoth King Theodoric took control of Carcassonne in 453 as Roman power waned and the Empire
receded.
The Visigoths enlarged the city and held the fortified town until the Saracens captured the fort and held it until
759, when the Frankish king Pepin the Younger defeated them.
The fort eventually passed to French and Spanish kings and counts and by the early 1200s was an important
bastion for the crusades, becoming a French citadel by 1247.
Political treaties reduced the forts military importance and in the early 1700s the fort was abandoned. But for
the efforts of architect Viollet-le-Duc and others, the buildings, under order by the French government for
demolition, would have been destroyed. Although the restorers were criticised for their 1850s restoration, the
use of non-traditional cone shaped towers, their work is considered crucial to the saving of this splendid
example of Gothic and Medieval architecture.
Modern Carcassonne is now a city in southern France located astride the Aude River and the Canal du Midi
and currently the capital of the Aude Department. The settlement is divided by the river into the Ville Basse and
the medieval walled city called the Cité.
The commerce of Carcassonne is centered in the Ville Basse, the town below the fort known for its clothing
factories and as a center for the region's wine, grain, and fruit production, and for its tourist activities.
Building of historic interest in the Ville Basse are the 13th century Cathedral of St. Michael and the Church of
St. Vincent.
In the fortified town across the river known as the Cité, of interest are ramparts and towers that date to the
Visigoths of the 5th century and building phases that span the 11th and 13th century. Also of historic interest
within the Cité, the 12th-century castle and the Romanesque and Gothic Church of St. Nazaire, built in the 11th
and 14th century.
Archaeological evidence points to settlement of the area of Carcassonne in 3,500 BC and evidence of trade
and commerce by Celtic people during the 6th century BC. The Romans built fortifications on the hill in 100 BC,
some of which is still evident in the base of the later walls.
The Visigoth King Theodoric took control of Carcassonne in 453 as Roman power waned and the Empire
receded.
The Visigoths enlarged the city and held the fortified town until the Saracens captured the fort and held it until
759, when the Frankish king Pepin the Younger defeated them.
The fort eventually passed to French and Spanish kings and counts and by the early 1200s was an important
bastion for the crusades, becoming a French citadel by 1247.
Political treaties reduced the forts military importance and in the early 1700s the fort was abandoned. But for
the efforts of architect Viollet-le-Duc and others, the buildings, under order by the French government for
demolition, would have been destroyed. Although the restorers were criticised for their 1850s restoration, the
use of non-traditional cone shaped towers, their work is considered crucial to the saving of this splendid
example of Gothic and Medieval architecture.
Modern Carcassonne is now a city in southern France located astride the Aude River and the Canal du Midi
and currently the capital of the Aude Department. The settlement is divided by the river into the Ville Basse and
the medieval walled city called the Cité.
The commerce of Carcassonne is centered in the Ville Basse, the town below the fort known for its clothing
factories and as a center for the region's wine, grain, and fruit production, and for its tourist activities.
Building of historic interest in the Ville Basse are the 13th century Cathedral of St. Michael and the Church of
St. Vincent.
In the fortified town across the river known as the Cité, of interest are ramparts and towers that date to the
Visigoths of the 5th century and building phases that span the 11th and 13th century. Also of historic interest
within the Cité, the 12th-century castle and the Romanesque and Gothic Church of St. Nazaire, built in the 11th
and 14th century.
Various sources including Wikipedia
Barges make tours of the
canal
canal
Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of south France between Toulouse and Narbonne is a great
place to visit for hiking, biking, canal barge trips and sightseeing in the historic city.
place to visit for hiking, biking, canal barge trips and sightseeing in the historic city.
Custom Search
Carcassonne offers Hiking and Biking in Southern
France along the Canal du Midi.
The Canal is a 17th Century link between the Atlantic
Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea that provides tour
barges and tree-lined walkways on both sides for biking
and hiking.
France along the Canal du Midi.
The Canal is a 17th Century link between the Atlantic
Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea that provides tour
barges and tree-lined walkways on both sides for biking
and hiking.
Carcassonne offers Hiking and Biking in Southern France along the Canal du Midi
Carcassonne Hiking and Biking along the Canal du Midi in Southern France
Carcassonne, Hiking and Biking, Carcassonne Southern France
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Carcassonne Vacation Hiking, Biking Southern France
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| When To Go To Carcassonne, The South of France: Mid March to Mid November is a good time to visit Carcassonne although October and November will have more rainy days. Winter months are without snow but could be cold in higher elevations. Carcassonne is about 400 feet above sea level. Carcassonne biking and hiking is good any season. March, April (41f-60 f) and May(50f-70f) and the early part of June (60f-80f ) are less crowded and pleasant times to visit. The end of June, and all of July and August (60f-80f) can be warm in the mid day and crowded at times as much of Europe takes its summer vacation. Much of France goes on a six-week July August vacation and many people head south. Summer months are warm and dry. September to mid November (40f-60f) offers fewer crowds and good weather. Weather is ideal in May and June and September October, great months to visit. Showers could come in any month but will be infrequent in the summer, more frequent in October. Mid March to Mid November will find most seasonal attractions open. |
Carcassonne is in the Aude Department of Languedoc-Roussillon of Southern France.
Carcassonne can be reached by TGV train from Paris, by high speed road, and by air.
Hiking, Biking, Vacation Rentals, Canal du Midi hiking and boat rides, are located within a
short walk or drive from Carcassonne
Carcassonne can be reached by TGV train from Paris, by high speed road, and by air.
Hiking, Biking, Vacation Rentals, Canal du Midi hiking and boat rides, are located within a
short walk or drive from Carcassonne
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