Carcassonne:Carcassonne:A General OverviewA General Overview

Travis CianciulliTravis Cianciulli

What is Carcassonne?What is Carcassonne?

Carcassonne is a famous fortified city built on a Carcassonne is a famous fortified city built on a hilltop in southern France.hilltop in southern France.

It was originally built by Romans, but has It was originally built by Romans, but has changed hands over the course of history changed hands over the course of history several times.several times.

Because much of the city has been restored, Because much of the city has been restored, Carcassonne is an excellent model of medieval Carcassonne is an excellent model of medieval architecture and history.architecture and history.

Where is Carcassonne?Where is Carcassonne?

An overview of France, An overview of France, showing Carcassonne showing Carcassonne in the South.in the South.

A more detailed map of Carcassonne A more detailed map of Carcassonne in the Aude departement of the in the Aude departement of the province of Languedoc.province of Languedoc.

Carcassonne From AboveCarcassonne From Above

The Layout of CarcassonneThe Layout of Carcassonne

Early HistoryEarly History

The area of present-day The area of present-day Carcassonne was thought to have Carcassonne was thought to have been settled as early as 3500 BC.been settled as early as 3500 BC.

Being strategically important Being strategically important between the Atlantic Ocean and the between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, the Romans first Mediterranean, the Romans first fortified the hilltop around 100 BC.fortified the hilltop around 100 BC.

After Roman rule, Carcassonne was After Roman rule, Carcassonne was taken over by the Visigoths, a taken over by the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe.Germanic tribe.

The Visigoths were later conquered The Visigoths were later conquered by the Saracens in 725, but Pepin by the Saracens in 725, but Pepin the Short of France expelled the the Short of France expelled the Saracens in 759.Saracens in 759.

Legend of Dame CarcasLegend of Dame Carcas

While Pepin the Short conquered much of While Pepin the Short conquered much of Southern France, he was unable to seize Southern France, he was unable to seize Carcassonne. Carcassonne.

As Pepin was trying to starve the occupants As Pepin was trying to starve the occupants of Carcassonne with his army, a clever of Carcassonne with his army, a clever woman named Dame Carcas decided to feed woman named Dame Carcas decided to feed what little grain the town had to a pig to fatten what little grain the town had to a pig to fatten it. The citizens then launched the pig at it. The citizens then launched the pig at Pepin’s army. The disheartened army Pepin’s army. The disheartened army decided to leave as they thought that the city decided to leave as they thought that the city must have plenty of grain if they could must have plenty of grain if they could sacrifice a fattened pig.sacrifice a fattened pig.

More HistoryMore History

Carcassonne later fell into the hands of the wealthy Carcassonne later fell into the hands of the wealthy Trencavel family in 1067.Trencavel family in 1067.

The Chateau Comtal and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire The Chateau Comtal and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire were built.were built.

French Cathars used Carcassonne as a stronghold, but French Cathars used Carcassonne as a stronghold, but Simon de Montfort killed Trencavel and claimed the city, Simon de Montfort killed Trencavel and claimed the city, fortifying the hill further.fortifying the hill further.

In 1247, Carcassonne fell under rule of the King of France, In 1247, Carcassonne fell under rule of the King of France, Louis IX. He had an outer rampart built around the city.Louis IX. He had an outer rampart built around the city.

In 1659, the Treaty of Pyrenees extended the southern In 1659, the Treaty of Pyrenees extended the southern border of France and lessened the need for a military border of France and lessened the need for a military fortification.fortification.

RestorationRestorationA decree was made by the French A decree was made by the French government in 1849 to destroy government in 1849 to destroy Carcassonne because of its need Carcassonne because of its need of repair, but this was extremely of repair, but this was extremely unpopular to the citizens.unpopular to the citizens.

Architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc Architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc was hired to renovate was hired to renovate Carcassonne. Carcassonne.

As a result, the outer ramparts As a result, the outer ramparts were repaired in addition to 53 were repaired in addition to 53 towers.towers.

View of Carcassonne from outside the city wallsView of Carcassonne from outside the city walls

Carcassonne TodayCarcassonne Today

One section of the city of Carcassonne manufactures shoes, rubber, One section of the city of Carcassonne manufactures shoes, rubber, and textiles, but most revenue comes from tourism.and textiles, but most revenue comes from tourism.

Around 3 million people visit Carcassonne every year.Around 3 million people visit Carcassonne every year.

BibliographyBibliography

Deveze, Lily. Carcassonne. Casa Editrice Bonechi. Florence, Italy. 1997. www.lechappeebelle.co.ukwww.lesmarronniers.co.ukwww.lescompagnons.cawww.cathie.over-blog.comwww.francemonthly.comwww.midi-life.com/Carcassonne/carcassonnehistory.htmen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcassonne