|
|
|
Carcassonne
Carcassonne Cite
One of France's most popular Heritage Sites, and a popular
weekend, and holiday location since the arrival of Ryanair
flights direct to the airport at Carcassonne.
Visiting the medieval fortified Cité of Carcassonne, is like
stepping back in time. Built on the east bank of the Aude,
the Cité sits overlooking the modern town of Carcassonne.
Completely restored in the 19th century to its former glory, the
restoration has lead to the Cité becoming the jewel in the
Audois crown.
The Cité is a very popular tourist attraction. Within the
ramparts, the Cité still houses a resident population of
about 120 people, and alongside the many bistros and gift
shops, there are also all the usual facilities that you
would expect for a small town - a post office, a school, a
hotel, etc. The Cité includes the Basilique Saint-Nazaire,
an open air theatre and the fortified Chateau Comtal within
its double ramparts.
The walls consist of a vast circle of double
battlements, enclosing medieval streets, containing many
boutiques, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It relies heavily
on tourism.
The outer ramparts connect 14 towers, and are separated by
the outer bailey and inner ramparts, which has 24
towers. On the 14th July there is a massive firework
display to celebrate Bastille Day, in which the whole of the
Cite appears to go up in flames.
The Tourist Information Centre houses a scale model of the
Cité - a very useful way to view the immense size, and
complexity of the fortified town, and to get your bearings.
There have been fortifications here in Carcassonne, since the
first century when the Romans set up camp. The Chateau
Comtal, at the heart of the Cité, was built in the 12th
century as a palace for the Viscount Trencavel. As its role
changed from palace to citadel, fortifications were added.
The Cite has featured in many films, such as "Robin Hood
Prince of thieves", and the recent books, Labyrinth, and the Da Vinci Code.
There are two
parts to Carcassonne, the Ville Basse and the Cité. The
Ville Basse is located on the left bank. It contains most
of Carcassonne’s business activity, and two 13th century
churches: The Cathedral of Saint Michael and the Church of
Saint Vincent.
Whilst the medieval Cité is Carcassonne’s main attraction,
there is plenty to do in the Ville Basse,
the modern town. In 1260 the Bastide Saint-Louis was created
to house the population whose villages flanking the Cité had
been destroyed. This new town now lies at the centre of the
Ville Basse, and the main Tourism Office runs guided tours of
its main attractions. One of these is the Musée des
Beaux-Arts, which houses a collection of paintings from the
17th to the 20th century. Within the Bastide, at the Place
Carnot, there is a lively food market on Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays. The Ville Basse also offers a wide
selection of restaurants, some specialising in local produce,
and cuisine such as the famous cassoulet stew.
The Cité, is the
medieval 5th century walled city built by Euric I, king of
the Visigoths, at a Roman site. It is located on top
of a hill
on the right bank. This site was occupied, as early as the
5th century BC, by the Iberians. The 11th to 14th century
Romanesque and Gothic Church of Saint Nazaire, that was
built by the viscounts of Carcassonne and Beziers, and the
12th century château Comtal, are located within the Cité’s
ramparts. Its fortifications are among Europe’s finest
medieval remains.
In 508, the
Frankish king,
Clovis I,
failed to take the Cite. However, both the Muslims, in 728,
and the Caroligion king,
Pépin
the Short, in 752, did manage to take it.
In the 13th century, as a consequence of the wars against
the Albigensians, a religious sect, the town’s inhabitants
were massacred by the Anglo-Norman Simon IV de Montfort. In
1247, the possessions of the viscounts of Carcassonne were
confiscated by the French crown.
Starting in 1247, the Ville Basse’s Cathedral of Saint Michael’s
Romanesque transept and choir were replaced by Gothic
structures. The Romanesque nave remains. In the 14th
to the 16th centuries the stained glass windowns
were installed.
The Cité’s outer ramparts, which are turreted, towered, and crenellated, were built during the reign of
Louis IX.
His son,
Philip III, continued the work. He also added the
beautiful gate, called the Porte Narbonnaise, to the inner
walls. The Porte is the only entry into the Cité by road.
It is guarded by two towers.
In 1659 the old
province of Roussillon was annexed by France. Carcassonne
ceased to be a frontier fortress, and was left to decay. In
1844 the architect and medievalist, Viollet-le-Duc began
reconstruction of Saint Michael’s cathedral and the Cité’s
ramparts. This work continued until the 1960s.
http://www.carcassonne.culture.fr/
Mirepoix, a medieval bastide town
Mirepoix, is
situated halfway between Carcassonne and Foix.
Mirepoix is a
beautiful medieval bastide town and should not be missed if you are in this
area. The highlight of this ancient bastide town is the central square - the
Place des Couverts - surrounded by medieval houses and arcades. The 'Maison des
Consuls' is one of the best of these buildings, with many carved figures on the
ancient woodwork.
At one
end of the square sits the tourist office. Look outside the tourist office for
the two grain measures dating from the 17th -18th century. They hold 20 litres
of grain each.
Market
day in Mirepoix is a Monday, and held in a wrought iron, 19th century market
hall in the centre of the square.
This charming,
peaceful little town is very popular with English tourists, undoubtedly because
of its proximity to the airport at Carcassonne.
It's name first
appeared in the 10th century in a charter granted to the inhabitants by the
Count of Foix, and is thought to have celtic origins.
During the
crusade against the Albigensians (Cathares) in 1209, Simon de Montfort took the
feudal château, from the Cathar family, who owned it, and gave it to his loyal
lieutenant Guy de Levis who became Marchécal de Mirepoix.
In 1279, the
barrage at Puivert ruptured, and caused massive flooding that destroyed the
whole village, sparing only the château.
In 1289, the son
of Guy de Lévis decided to rebuild the town on the left banks of the River Hers.
The town was reconstructed in the form of a bastide, with a large central square
and streets following a grid pattern. The city prospered and in 1317 Pope John
XXII made it a bishopric.
In 1362, the
town was destroyed by bandits, who set the town on fire. The centre was
refortified with a strong encircling wall, and four large gates to protect it.
Today, all that remains of this fortification is the Porte d'Aval.
On the large central square, the half-timbered houses supported on wooden
pillars, create a magnificent covered arcade. The ends of the joists of the
richest houses are sculpted, and the most beautiful sculptures are on the house
of the Justice du Seigneur, which became in 1500, the Maison des Consuls,
showing women's faces, bearded heads, a tortoise and other fantastical images.
The church of St Maurice built in 1298 by Jean de Lévis and his wife Constance
de Foix was transformed over time into a cathedral. Today the cathedral of St
Maurice has a single nave 48 m long, 24 m high, 22 m wide, a gothic gate and an
elegant 60 m high pointed bell tower. Of the cathedrals of Europe only that of
Gerona in Spain has a wider nave
Mirepoix suffered during the
Hundred Years War but then became an important textile centre in the 15th
century.
Places to visit in the Ariège Pyrenees.
Les
Forges des Pyrènes
A large property featuring various craftsman at work. Picnic tables, a
playground and a restaurant are also on-site.
Les Forges de Pyrène - route de Paris - 09 330 Mongaillard - Tél. 05.34.09.30.60
- Fax 05.34.09.30.61
Opening times
* June to September - 10h à 18h
* October to May - 13h à 18h weekdays and 10h à 18h week-end,
* Closed Monday
The talc quarry of
Trimouns at Luzenac
The largest open air talc quarry in the
world, located at 1800m altitude. Guided tours from May to October
The church at Vals
Partially carved out of the rockface, it
contains magnificent romanesque frescoes. Located near Mirepoix, it's worth a
detour.
The Stone Garden (Jardin
de pierres)
The inhabitant of a house backing onto a
river near Castillon spent 25 years reinforcing the river bank with fantastical
stone walls and sculptures.
Chapel of Notre Dame de
la Goutte
A curious little chapel built stone by
stone by a priest between 1968 and 2001. Notre Dame de la Goutte is in the little village of Montardit, alongside the road that leads from Sainte Croix Volvestre
to Saint Girons.
The dolmens of Le Mas d'Azil
Eleven dolmens from the neolithic age can be found in the hills above the town
of Le Mas d'Azil. A walking trail takes you past three that are very well
preserved.
The fountain of Fontestorbes
A unique natural curiosity, this intermittent fountain has been a listed site
since 1921 and is located in the Hers river valley near Bélesta. Between July
and October the flow of water stops and starts at regular intervals.
What makes this
spring so special is the way that it changes over an hourly cycle from a gushing
torrent to barely a trickle during the dry summer months.
 There are only a few
examples worldwide of this natural phenomenon and here the change is spectacular
going from around 50 litres per second to 1,800 litres per second and back
within an hour.
This mysterious waterfall
has baffled scientists for years, and was first recorded in Roman times. You can
find this curiosity on the road between Belesta and Fougax-et-Barrineuf on the
D5 leading from Belesta towards Montségur. La fontaine is on the left side of
the road. There is a car park there, and a café opposite which is open during
the tourist season.
The subterranean river of Labouiche
The longest navigable underground river in Europe. A guided visit lasting
one and a quarter hours,
includes the longest subterranean boat ride (1,500m) in Europe in a small barge
60m below the surface, and is scheduled several times a day between April and
November. Six kilometres northwest of Foix.
OPENING TIMES
(April–May, Oct & Nov Mon–Sat 2–5.15pm, Sun 10–11.45am & 2–5.15pm;
June & Sept Mon–Sat 10–11.15am & noon–5.15pm, Sun 10–11.45am & 2–5.15pm;
July & Aug Mon–Sat 9.30am–5.30pm, Sun 10–11.45am & 2–5.15pm.
€7.40 for adults.
Foix
Foix, is a small city surrounded by mountains and crossed by rivers. It is a
gateway to the Pyrenees. It
is the capital of the picturesque Ariège department, one of France’s least
populous areas
Situated about 30 miles from Toulouse or 40 miles from Andorra.
The Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, are equidistant.
Foix’s unique
geographical position—both remote and close to crucial borders—the city gained
power and influence over the years. The city was central in wars between counts
and kings, between Aragon and Castille, Toulouse and Barcelona and even between
England and France as well as Spain and France. Its unique location has also
resulted in it serving as a refuge, for the Cathars and latterly for escaping
World War II pilots shot down over France.
Foix’s market is held every Friday. The farmer and local artisan’s market is
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., during July and August
Some other local markets to visit include the Ax-les-Thermes market, held
mid-June until mid-September on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to
1 p.m
The Comité
Départemental du Tourisme Ariège Pyrénées, located at 31 bis, avenue
du Général de Gaulle in Foix.
Foix castle
The
castle dominates the town; in centuries past it controlled access to the high
Ariège river valley.
The location of the castle was strategically well chosen and dates from an era
of great insecurity, banditry and territorial rivalries. It had a commanding
presence over the Pyreneen chain in order to counter invasions.
The caves in the Rock of Foix at the confluence of the Ariège and Arget rivers,
on which the castle was built, had been inhabited since prehistoric times; a
fortress was erected in the Merovingian era but the present castle was
contructed around the year 1000.
It was in 1002 that the castle figured in the testament of Roger the first count
of Carcassonne who bequeathed it to his eldest son Bernard. Bernard Roger is the
first noble to carry the title Comte de Foix. The castle became the count’s
residence until 1290.
Despite the departure of the count’s family for Béarn in 1290, the castle
remained the symbol of the power to the great counts of Foix and Béarn (of which
the most famous was Gaston Fébus, 1343-1391)
The counts of Foix were leaders of the Occitan resistance to the crusade against
the Albigensians and the castle became the primary refuge of persecuted Cathars.
The castle was never taken during the Albigensian crusade, even though Simon de
Montfort laid siege to it in 1211 and 1212. It was, however, taken by force by
French King Philippe the Bold in 1272.
In the 17th and 18th century, the castle was the seat of the governor of Ariège
and continued to shelter the symbols of power : the garrison, the prisons and
the archives. It remained a prison until 1862 and since 1950 has been a
departmental museum.
Trebes
Trebes, a beautiful medieval village where the Canal du Midi
is carried over the Orbiel River via the three arched Orbiel
Aqueduct, is situated to the east of Carcassonne. At Trebes
there are a strikin g
series of three locks, partly built into the side of the
bedrock. At the entrance to the lock pool, there is a water
mill, dating from about 1700. Trebes has a large boat yard for
the hire of holiday cruisers and is a very popular
tourist town with many restaurants.
OFFICE DE
TOURISME TREBES
Homps
The picturesque village of Homps is set on the Canal du Midi,
and adjacent to the Lac de Jouarres, with beaches for
swimming, and water sports, which makes it a popular holiday
spot. Some boat hire companies operate from the boat yard
here. There are a selection of restaurants (including the
much recommended En Bonne Compagnie). Homps lies about 12kms
from Minerve, an important s ite
in Cathar heritage, and one of France's most beautiful
villages, which is perched on a spit of land bordered on two
sides by cliffs descending into deep
gorges formed by the Cesse and Brian rivers.
Canal-du-midi.org Homps
Lagrasse
.jpg)
Halfway between Beziers and Carcassonne is the village of Lagrasse, situated where the valleys of the Orbieu and Alsou meet. The story goes that Charlemagne christened this region ‘vallee grasse’ hence Lagrasse. The village is fortified, and here six Benedictine monks founded an abbey on the banks of the Orbieu shortly after Christianity reached France. The belfry is early 14th century, and reaches a height of 40 meters. Lagrasse is a picturesque village with narrow streets, and several monastic buildings still stand, even though the monks disappeared at the revolution. The 18th century Abbott’s lodgings can only be described as a palace. A humpbacked bridge connects the abbey to the town. A visit to the monastic buildings can be made for a small charge. There are many restaurants and bars and the rolling hills that surround Lagrasse are picturesque.
http://www.lagrasse.fr/favicon.ico
Ginestas
This attractive village next to the Canal du Midi is popular with holidaymakers. It is possible to hire holiday cruisers for the day or the week. Canal side, walks are very popular here.
 The nearby, "Le Somail" is a hamlet of Ginestas.
Le Somail owes its existence to the Canal du Midi, and is an attractive village where the hustle, and bustle on the canal can be observed at leisure from the bar next to the stone bridge.
Commercial traffic on the canal, used Le Somail for night stopovers in the
canal side Auberge. Other commercial support services were stables, where horses used in the pulling of the barges could be changed, an ice plant, and warehouses. The peak of the commercial traffic was in the mid 1800s. Today, the canal is entirely tourist based.
Ginestas
Nearby is the Musee de la Chapellerie (Hat Museum) The museum contains over 6500 hats, and hat making equipment. The collection spans the period 1850 to the present day, and includes military, and ecclesiastical headgear, as well as traditional, costume, and contemporary hats.
Opening Times:
1st June to 30th September: 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-19:00
1st October to 31st May: 14:00-18:00. Sundays 14:00-19:00
http://www.museedelachapellerie.fr
|
Abbaye de Fontcaude,Ferrieres par Brassac,Perthus,Abbaye
de Fontfroide,Fire Brigade,Peyriac sur Mer,Agde,Ginestas (Hat Museum),Pont du
Gard,Aigues Mort,Gorge d’Heric,Prats de Mollo,Amelie les Bains,Gorge de la
Carcassonne
Carcassonne Cite
Carcassonne est la préfecture de le département Aude, elle
est connue pour la Cité de Carcassonne, un ensemble
architectural médiéval très bien conservé et inscrit au
patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO depuis 1997.1
Ses habitants sont les Carcassonnais. Ils nomment
familièrement la ville « Carca ».
Carcassonne est à 80 km à l'est de Toulouse. Son emplacement
stratégique sur la route entre la mer Méditerranée et
l'océan Atlantique est connue depuis le néolithique. La
ville se trouve dans un couloir entre la montagne Noire au
nord et les Corbières à l'est, la plaine du Lauragais à
l'ouest et la vallée de l'Aude au sud.
l'autoroute des Deux Mers et plus précisément le tronçon est
de l'A61 passe au sud de la ville permettant un accès direct
depuis Toulouse ou Montpellier.
L'aéroport de Carcassonne Salvaza, rebaptisé « aéroport de
Carcassonne en Pays Cathare, en 2004, est situé au sud-ouest
de la ville dans la zone d'activité de Salvaza. Il permet de
s'envoler vers la Grande-Bretagne, vers l'Irlande et vers la
Belgique via la compagnie aérienne Ryanair.
En centre-ville, la voiture est le moyen de transport
privilégié des carcassonnais. La circulation aux heures de
pointe y est pourtant assez difficile surtout en été avec
l'afflux de touristes.
Carcassonne est située sur les bords du fleuve de l'Aude. La
commune est traditionnellement divisée en deux, la ville
basse qui occupe les berges du fleuve à l'ouest et la ville
haute (ou cité) qui occupe la colline surplombant l'Aude. La
cité est construite sur un petit plateau constitué par le
creusement de l'Aude à environ 150 mètres d'altitude au
dessus de la ville basse.
Carcassonne est la base pour 3e régiment parachutiste
d'infanterie de marine.
Manifestations culturelles et festivités
Avril - Semaine du Jazz
21 juin - Fête de la musique
Juillet - Festival de la cité
Juillet - Festival de la bastide
Juillet-août - Les estivales d'Orgue de la Cité.
14 juillet - Embrasement de la cité
Fin août - Semaine espagnole.
Juillet-août - Grand tournoi de chevalerie
Octobre - Fête du vin
Décembre - Animations de Noel
Lagrasse
Entre Beziers et Carcassonne, Lagrasse (en occitan La
Grassa) est admis dans l'Association les plus beaux villages
de France, depuis plus de dix ans.
Le village de Lagrasse est situé dans les Corbières au fond
d'une vallée traversée par la rivière d'Orbieu. Cette région
appelée Basses-Corbières est caractérisée par des collines
couvertes de pins et de végétation méditerranéenne
L'histoire du village se confond avec celle de l'abbaye
Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse qui débute par l'installation dans
la vallée de l'abbé Nimphibius avec quelques compagnons. Ils
fondent alors un monastère. Charlemagne crée une charte en
778 qui est à l'origine de l'abbaye de Lagrasse, devenue
plus tard l'une des plus importantes de France.
.jpg)
A la Révolution, l'abbaye est séparée en deux lots vendus
comme Bien national. Aujourd'hui une partie est publique (Conseil
général de l'Aude) et l'autre privée avec la présence de
chanoines. La ville héberge de nombreux artistes et artisans
d'art qui font vivre le village et attirent de nombreux
visiteurse.
Ginestas
Ginestas (occitan : Ginestars) située dans le Minervois sur
la Cesse et le Canal du Midi. Tres proche est Le Somail,
site remarquable de l'Aude et hameau de près de 400 âmes, a
la particularité de dépendre de 3 communes, et des Voies
Navigables de France. Le Pont Saint Marcel ou Pont Neuf du
Somail est un ouvrage remarquable de 1773.
Le site du Somail est un des lieux les plus animes pendant
la saison.
Unique en Europe, le musée de la
Chapellerie du Somail rassemble 6500 "couvre-chefs" de
toutes les époques, provenant de 84 pays. Qu'elles soient
d'origine militaire, traditionnelle, religieuse, de
cérémonie chacune des pièces exposées a son histoire que le
propriétaire des lieux saura vous conter à merveille.
Le Somail.
11120 Ginestas.
Tél : 04.68.46.19.26.
Fax : 04.68.46.19.26.
Ouverture du musée :
Du 1er juin au 30 septembre de 9h00 à 12h00 et de 14h00 à
19h00.
Du 1er octobre au 31 mai de 14h00 à 18h00 et tous les
dimanches de 14h00 à 19h00.
Fou,Puisserguier,Argeles,Gruissan,Roquefort,Aveyron,KnightsTemplars,Rosas,Bages,La
Caunette,Roquebrun,Balaruc les Bains,Lacaune,Fort de Salses,Banyuls,La Grand
Motte,Salvatat,Basin de Thau,Lac du Salagou,Sete,Beziers,Lagrasse,Severac le
Chateau,Bouzigues,Languedoc-Roussillon,Sidobre,Camargue,Larzac,St
Chinian,Cambous,Little Yellow Train,Saint Frichoux,Canadairs (Pompiers),Magic
Road,St Jean de Minervois,Canal du Midi,Marseillan,St Maries de la Mer,Canet
Plage,Meze,St Martin de Londres,Canigou,Millau,St Pierre la Mer,Canyon de
Fou,Minerve,St Pons,Cap d'Agde,Mont Agioual,Valras Plage,Capestang,Mont
Louis,Vallspir,Pyrenees,Carcassonne,Montpellier,Villeneuvette,Cathars,Narbonne,Cirque
du Navacelles,Nimes,Clermont l’Herault,Oppidum d’Enserune,Collioure,Parc
Regional du Haut Languedoc,Corbieres,Couvertoirade,Perpignan,Enserune,Perrier |
|
