Carcassonne Southern France Hiking and Biking
Carcassonne Photos by Willy Scholliers
Carcassonne Photos by Willy Scholliers
| 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. |
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.
that provides tour barges and tree-lined walkways on both sides for biking and hiking.
Carcassonne Photos by Willy Scholliers
| Carcassonne, A UNESCO 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
Medeivil 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
Medeivil 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.
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.
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
curently 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
curently 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
SoftSeatTravel
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 nearby hills
Do You need an International Driving Permit to drive in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show an International Permit, only your drivers
license from your home country and perhaps your passport. Italian law requires that you carry an IDP as does
Spain, Portugal, Greece, and several of the former Soviet Union countries. The International driver's permit is
issued by the American Automobile Association AAA in the States and the CAA in Canada. The cost is $15
and not a bad bit of insurance against running into trouble while driving in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show an International Permit, only your drivers
license from your home country and perhaps your passport. Italian law requires that you carry an IDP as does
Spain, Portugal, Greece, and several of the former Soviet Union countries. The International driver's permit is
issued by the American Automobile Association AAA in the States and the CAA in Canada. The cost is $15
and not a bad bit of insurance against running into trouble while driving in Europe.
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
commercial
vehicles
No Passing
zone ends
zone ends
Highway or
Expressway
Expressway
Intersection
with right of
way to right
with right of
way to right
| road showing right of way |
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
Prices and availability, gas or diesel models,
RV Rentals in Europe, Air and Hotel
RV Rentals in Europe, Air and Hotel
Auto Europe offers selection, price, and ease of
booking on the web. . Shop online well ahead of your
trip and choose diesel or gas, luggage space,
Important , standard or automatic, Important, two door,
four door and other options. Renting for more than 17
days; see their options
booking on the web. . Shop online well ahead of your
trip and choose diesel or gas, luggage space,
Important , standard or automatic, Important, two door,
four door and other options. Renting for more than 17
days; see their options
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in France
Dave Hilbert's www.SoftSeatTravel.com info@SoftSeatTravel.com
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