Cordes-sur-Ciel, Medieval administrative division in southern region of Tarn, France.
Cordes-sur-Ciel is a commune within the canton of Cordes-sur-Ciel, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Cérou valley in Tarn, southern France. The settlement spreads across several levels, with the highest tiers showing fortified quarters and preserved gateways, while the lower tiers display later developments from several centuries.
Count Raymond VII of Toulouse ordered the fortified settlement built in 1222 to shelter populations displaced during the Albigensian Crusade. In later medieval times it became a center for crafts such as weaving and tanning, before economic shifts gradually turned it into a quieter rural commune.
The upper streets retain their medieval names, recalling former craft guilds such as weaver quarters and tanner alleys. Local residents still use the main thoroughfare for weekly markets, especially on Sunday mornings when buyers and vendors gather together.
The climb passes through several gateways, each marking a new level of the settlement and offering shade on warm days. Visitors should bring sturdy footwear, as cobblestones are uneven and steep passages require effort on the ascent.
The administration changed the name from Cordes to Cordes-sur-Ciel in 1993 to emphasize its position high above the valley. On certain mornings, the site appears to float above layers of fog, giving the new name a visual truth.
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