Exploring Carcassonne is like being in a medieval fantasy novel. We booked a tour which started outside the Narbonnaise Gate. This was a great way to get an understanding of the history and features of this formidable fortified complex. The castle is very crowded during the day with visitors from around the world. I first visited in 2013 while on a Languedoc bike tour.

Our guide shows the route we will take around the castle.

This is the entrance at the Narbonnaise Gate. The statue on the right depicts “Lady Carcas”, a legendary figure in the cities history. The legend takes place in the 8th century, during the wars between Christians and Muslims in the southwest of Europe. At the time, Carcassonne was under Saracen rule and Charlemagne‘s army was at the gates to reconquer the city for the Franks. A Saracen princess named Carcas ruled the Knights of the City after the death of her husband.

The siege lasted for five years. Early in the sixth year, food and water were running out. Lady Carcas made an inventory of all remaining reserves. The villagers brought her a pig and a sack of wheat. She then had the idea to feed the wheat to the pig and then throw it from the highest tower of the city walls. Charlemagne lifted the siege, believing that the city had enough food to the point of wasting pigs fed with wheat. Overjoyed by the success of her plan, Lady Carcas decided to sound all the bells in the city. One of Charlemagne’s men then exclaimed: “Carcas sonne!” (which means “Carcas rings”). Hence the name of the city.

A few raindrops didn’t deter our explorations.

A castle view of the ramparts from a tower.

Inside the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus. Construction began in the early 11th century (from a 6th century early site) and completed in the mid-12th century.

The ancient pipe organ was constructed mostly from wood in 1637.

We enjoyed an early dinner at Restaurant Au Four Saint Louis.

We reserved tickets online for a self-guided Chateau & Rampart tour.

We walked over “Pont Vieux” to enter the Chateau.

We loved all the amazing history while on the tour.

A view from one of the towers.

Marla listens to the audio guide.

Medieval crucifixion group sculpture.

The history of the Carcassonne is fascinating.

You can see these beautiful private gardens and residences from the ramparts while on a tour.

There were sooooo many stairs to climb going up and down!

This is the Theatre Jean-Deschamps, an open-air theater built into the hillside inside the historic Cité that serves as the main venue for the Festival de Carcassonne.

The wonderful French performer Santa rocked the house at her Carcassonne performance in July.

A rampart view of our hotel while on the tour.

My wonderful fellow explorer.

I loved my first visit to “La Marquire” in 2013, so I reserved dinner again on this trip.

The manager decants a superb wine from the region.

Marla awaits dinner at La Marquiere.

We dined at Restaurant le Chaudron the next evening and I had to try their Cassoulet, the most famous regional dish.

This video is the perfect guide to Cassoulet in Carcassonne.

The local cheese course was very delicious.

Our 3 night visit to Carcassonne was full of surprises and delights. Next we will travel to Paris for a short visit before our Seine River cruise.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.