Castle of the Month
(changed monthly)

Carcasonne, France

Carcasonne, a fortified castle town in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of south central France, has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997. But the actual fortress has been around, in one form or another, since the 7th century B.C. The Romans took over in 100 B.C., and after that the Visigoths and Saracens held the fortress at various times. In dastardly fashion, the Black Prince, Edward of Wales, came by to burn and pillage Carcasonne in 1355.

Centuries later, after Napoleon and his administration turned a blind eye to Carcasonne and let it fall into ruin, the French government thought to destroy the fortified town. Public pressure held sway though, and eventually architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc planned an extensive refurbishing. He didn't live to see the finished product, which was criticized for not being quite authentic to the original fortress, but what the modern tourist now sees is quite a picturesque attraction. It is must-see if you are visiting southern France.

Lee Brewer is our castle expert and generously prepares this feature for AAR.