Wood Carving on Old Houses
by hquittner
All of the houses in Carcassonne are very old (from various centuries past). Wood plays a large part in their outside construction and many of the houses retain their fine carving. There are no guides to these works but you can find them yourself by looking beyond the tourist signs and store titles. Looking for them is just another attraction of the town and takes no effort. Underneath the layer of commercialism there is a real old town that is exciting to visit.
Les vicomtes de Trencavel : XIe-XIIe siècles
by Klod5
Les possessions des Couserans s'étendent à partir du XIe siècle aux vicomtés de Nîmes et d'Albi avec l'alliance d'Ermengarde et de Raimond Bernard Trencavel. Leur fils, Bernard Aton, est ainsi à la tête d'une vaste principauté englobant les régions de Carcassonne, Béziers, Limoux, Agde, Albi et Nîmes. Son règne constitue, de 1074 à 1129, une étape majeure dans la morphologie de la cité; le château Narbonnais, que la tradition situe sur l'emplacement des tours du même nom, est délaissé au profit d'une nouvelle résidence, le palatium, que l'on implante vers 1120 contre les fortifications antiques du front occidental. Ce chantier succède de peu à la construction de la cathédrale dédiée à saint Nazaire et à saint Celse. La ville, sans doute déjà étendue extra-muros autour de l'An Mil aux faubourgs Saint-Vincent et Saint-Michel, est administrée dès 1192 par un consulat composé de notables et de bourgeois mais ne reçoit une charte de coutume qu'entre 1209 et 1229. The possessions of the Couserans spread from the XIth century to the vicomtés of Nîmes and Albi with the alliance of Ermengarde and Raimond Bernard Trencavel. Their son, Bernard Aton, is thus to the head of a vast principality including the regions of Carcassonne, Béziers, Limoux, Agdes, Albis and Nîmes. His reign constitutes, of 1074 to 1129, a major stage in the morphology of the city; the Narbonnais castle, that the tradition situates on the site of the towers of the same name, is abandoned to the profit of a new residence, the palatium, that one implants toward 1120 against the ancient fortifications of the western forehead. This yard follows of little to the construction of the cathedral dedicated to St-Nazaire and St-Celse. The city, probably already extended extra muros around the year Thousand to the outskirts St-Vincent and St-Michel, is managed since 1192 by a consulate composed of notables and bourgeoises but doesn't receive a charter of custom that between 1209 and 1229.
A Tourist Custom or a Tourist Trap (1): Armor
by hquittner
It costs a little money and if you get your money's worth it is not a trap. Nobody made him read the sign and go in the shop and "rent" the helmet! His companions enjoyed it too. It is next door to the Auberge de Madam Carcas (see our Restaurant Tip).
The Other Well
by hquittner
From the Place Marcou, the rue du Plo continues to a square at the tower of the same name. In the square is a large well (Le Petit Puits). All fortified cities need deep wells for water during sieges and this is the lesser one. The larger one is at the opposite end of town near the Castle. The tall tower with the stepped profile is the Tour Balthazar nearby.
Relaxed Atmosphere, Great Food
by fossettes about Restaurant de Saint Jean
Situated at the end of the street near the ramparts, this restaurant offers an upscale menu in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. The whole place is welcoming...from the outdoor tables to the artwork within. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is traditional with a twist and excelent.
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