Carcassonne from below the Ramparts

Just 20 minutes from our holiday accommodation in the Cabardes, Les Coquelicots, and our friend’s gite, Les Libellules, is the magnificent Cité de Carcassonne.   With its 54 towers and turrets, and set on a hill at the side of the River Aude, it dominates the surrounding countryside. The first time I saw it across the vineyards with an azure blue sky behind – I could almost believe I had stepped into a fairytale.

It is easy to see why it has achieved the status of a World Heritage site.

This incredible fortified city has an amazing history dating from earliest  times.  It has been invaded, occupied by the Romans, Visigoths, Franks, has more legends and tales than you can shake a stick at, and has been used as the film set for many historical films.  Look closely at Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, Sleeping Beauty and many others, and if you know La Cité, you will recognize it immediately.

Along the ramparts

However, it is probably best known for its Cathar history.  The Cathars were a religious group in the 13^th Century, persecuted by the Catholic Church of the time.  Roger de Trencavel of Carcassonne was a leading sympathizer of the Cathar religion and from the Chateaux de Las Tours in the Cabardes  to the north of Carcassonne, down to Peyrepertuse and Montsegur to the south, was a Cathar stronghold.  The remains of these magnificent fortified chateaux, built for the most part on spectacular  pinnacles of rock in the most dramatic scenery, provide a fascinating insight into the history of the area.

Criss-crossed by many paths and trails, the area also offers stunning walking and hiking opportunities.  Why not take advantage of a week’s rental at our self catering cottage and discover the Languedoc for yourself ?