{"id":22557,"date":"2025-09-26T01:34:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T07:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/?p=22557"},"modified":"2025-09-25T08:45:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:45:48","slug":"exploring-magical-carcassonne-a-castle-out-of-a-storybook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/?p=22557","title":{"rendered":"EXPLORING MAGICAL CARCASSONNE…A CASTLE OUT OF A STORYBOOK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Exploring Carcassonne is like being in a medieval fantasy novel.<\/strong> We booked a tour which started outside the Narbonnaise<\/strong> 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. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our guide shows the route we will take around the castle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the entrance at the Narbonnaise Gate. The statue on the right depicts \u201cLady Carcas\u201d, 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<\/a> rule and Charlemagne<\/a>\u2018s army was at the gates to reconquer the city for the Franks<\/a>. A Saracen princess named Carcas ruled the Knights of the City after the death of her husband.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong> Charlemagne<\/strong> 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\u2019s men then exclaimed: \u201cCarcas sonne!\u201d (which means \u201cCarcas rings\u201d). Hence the name of the city.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A few raindrops didn\u2019t deter our explorations<\/strong><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A castle view of the ramparts from a tower.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Inside the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus<\/strong>. Construction began in the early 11th century (from a 6th century early site) and completed in the mid-12th century.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The ancient pipe organ was constructed mostly from wood in 1637.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We enjoyed an early dinner at Restaurant Au Four Saint Louis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We reserved tickets online for a self-guided Chateau & Rampart tour.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We walked over “Pont Vieux”<\/strong> to enter the Chateau.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We loved all the amazing history while on the tour.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A view from one of the towers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Marla listens to the audio guide.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Medieval crucifixion group sculpture.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The history of the <\/strong>Carcassonne <\/strong><\/a>is fascinating.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can see these beautiful private gardens and residences from the ramparts while on a tour.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There were sooooo many stairs to climb going up and down!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the Theatre Jean-Deschamps, an open-air theater built into the hillside inside the historic Cit\u00e9 that serves as the main venue for the Festival de Carcassonne<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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