La Cité - Carcassonne - Saint Nazaire - a Rose window by Beausoleil Star this if you like it!
La Cité in Carcassonne is possibly the best-known castle in France outside the Loire Valley. It was at the heart of the Cathar controversy. The Carcassonne Castle was built in the 12th century by Count Bernard Aton Trencavel over the western part of the Roman walls. It was surrounded by a rectangular fortified enclosure in 1226. The construction is rectangular in shape, and it is separated from the city by a deep moat and defended by two barbicans. It was restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc and joined the UNESCO heritage list in 1997. It has quite a history, dating back to 122 BCE when the first stones were placed by the Romans. It has changed hands many times since then. Yes, it is now a tourist trap, but a historic and interesting one. We’ve visited many times and have always managed to find something new. Inside the fortifications (a double wall) you will find a Château, a beautiful gothic church and a fascinating town.
