This medieval chateau is situated on the banks of the Aude river in the South of France. The finest restored fortified town in France was continually built on from the 2nd century BC when it was a Roman outpost. It has seen Romans, Visigoths, Saracens, Franks, feudal Lords, and French Kings hold the town. In 1150 Bernard Anton Trencavel constructed the castle on remains from Roman times; Roman mosaics are still visible under the basement of the Counts’ castle.The Castle reached its current size only after the French conquest in the 13th century. The fortifications were added in the 13th century by the Albigensian Crusader leader Simon de Montfort. The castle of the town was restored in 1853 by the architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. The highest and oldest parts of the castle are to be seen in the courtyard. The Pinte Tower, a square watchtower, is the highest in Carcassonne. Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne was declared “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1997.
Narration: English
