Château comtal de Carcassonne, château faisant partie de la Cité de Carcassonne
Château comtal de Carcassonne is a fortress with three kilometers of fortified walls forming two concentric rings of ramparts around the main structure. These walls are connected by 52 towers that create a layered defensive system.
The fortress began as a residence for the Trencavel family around 1130, then changed hands during the Albigensian Crusade in 1209. This shift reflected broader religious conflicts that reshaped medieval southern France.
The fortress shapes how the city is experienced, with its walls forming the center of daily life here. You can see this connection when locals walk the outer areas and use the space as part of their routine.
You can walk around the walls on your own or join a guided tour to explore the structure at a comfortable pace. The site is accessible most of the day, so you can choose the quieter hours if you prefer fewer crowds.
The fortress kept its basic shape unchanged across many centuries even as its purpose shifted from residence to military stronghold to archaeological focus. This reveals how a building can remain visually stable while the historical events around it completely transformed.
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