Carcassonne – making it easy to picture the past

I had seen pictures of Carcassonne years before, and marvelled at the completeness of the walled city, compared to many of the ruined castles of Wales or England. So we included it within our trip around SW France; and it proved to be a real highlight.

Walking through the old city gates, the narrow cobbled lanes and the leaning rickety buildings soon transport you to a different time. Sure, there are plenty of gift shops and noisy groups to break the spell if you let them do so. But anyone who has read Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, set within this city, will not fail to feel a sense of deja-vu. The streets, the signs, the old shops, have a familiar feel, so vividly were they portrayed in that story.

The chance to walk on the old walls takes you quickly away from the crowds and the noise around the many cafes. Standing on the ramparts you can imagine how the defenders of the city felt their home was impregnable. The structure itself, though heavily renovated, is impressive, both from within and from below when looking from the modern city. But then I guess it was designed to be just that – and to project an imposing welcome to those armies who dared to come here with invasion in mind.