Carcassonne Southern France Hiking and Biking Carcassonne
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.
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.
Carcassonne hiking and biking is available on the Canal
and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Canal provides tour barges and tree-lined walkways
on both sides for biking and hiking.
and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Canal provides tour barges and tree-lined walkways
on both sides for biking and hiking.
Carcassonne Photos by
Willy Scholliers
Willy Scholliers
Carcassonne,
A UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Photos by Willy
Scholliers
A UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Photos by Willy
Scholliers
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.
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.
History
Two towns comprise Carcassonne,
one the walled City on a hill and the
other a town below that spans the
River Aude.
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.
one the walled City on a hill and the
other a town below that spans the
River Aude.
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.
Barges make tours of the 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.
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.
Hiking in the Mountains
south of Carcassonne
south of Carcassonne
Carcassonne Southern France
offers Hiking and Biking along
the Canal du Midi in
Carcassonne
offers Hiking and Biking along
the Canal du Midi in
Carcassonne
Carcassonne Southern France offers Hiking and Biking below the
Medieval city along the Canal du Midi
Medieval city along the Canal du Midi
Carcassonne Southern France also
offers hiking south of the Medieval
city on ancient pilgrimage trails in the
mountains of the Pyrenees along the
border with Spain
offers hiking south of the Medieval
city on ancient pilgrimage trails in the
mountains of the Pyrenees along the
border with Spain
Carcassonne in Southern France offers Hiking and
Biking on the Canal du Midi.
Mountains south of Carcassonne offer hiking on
ancient pilgrimage trails in the mountains of the
Pyrenees along the border with Spain
Biking on the Canal du Midi.
Mountains south of Carcassonne offer hiking on
ancient pilgrimage trails in the mountains of the
Pyrenees along the border with Spain
Carcassonne in Southern
France offers Hiking and Biking
on the Canal du Midi
France offers Hiking and Biking
on the Canal du Midi
Carcassonne Southern France
Hiking and Biking
Hiking and Biking
Carcassonne Southern France sightseeing
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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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