L'Histoire Restaurants Musées

L'Histoire

With a population of about 45,000, Carcassonne is an important center of trade in wine, grain, and fruit. It is locatd in the Languedoc-Rousillon region in the south of France and is divided into two sections, Ville Basse, the main business district, and the medieval walled community known as the Cité.
The Cité perches on the edge of a plateau on the east bank of the river Aude. It contains some of the finest remains of medieval fortifications in Europe and is a popular tourist attraction. The Cité was the site of a Roman town, and was later controlled by the Visigoths and Franks. Carcassonne became a possession of the French crown in 1247. (For more information, click here.)

Places to Visit
Aigne	A village shaped like a snail. Visit the studios of an icon painter, and a wood sculptor, and the church that sings. Albas Go deep into the Corbiéres and discover Albas, and wonderful wines of Domaine des Pensées Sauvages.
Canal du Midi	Canal and landscape and beauty entwined, in feat of engineering to connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
Caihol and the Cessiére	Bathe in cool springs under a Roman tower.
Cessenon-sur-Orb	Visit this busy village, with 12th Century tower overlooking the River Orb, renowned for canoeing and kayaking.
Collioure	Go to the church where Matisse and the Fauves came alive from colors and sounds effervescent.
Dolmens	Seek out the spiritual, megalithic and mysterious in the Minervois. Gruissan and La Clape Visit Betty Blue, and the sailors church nearby.
Minerve	Perched on a cliff, between two rivers, swirling through natural bridges.
Narbonne	Ancient city, with roman roads and tall Cathedral and bustling Sunday market.
Ouveillan	Charming village with beautiful church, with celebrated Fete de Vendanges in October.
Paraza	Visit a canal town, tight on a hill.
St. Chinian	Founded in 825 as monastery, now bustling wine and market town.
Sète	Thrive on the hot energy of the town that spawned Brassens and Valéry.
Vélieux	Walk the high hills.
Queribus	The dramatic last stronghold of the Cathars (from http://www.le-guide.com/langindex.html)

Restaurants

Musées

Musée Lapidaire

In the main fortress, on the first floor of the Château Comtal. Here you will find the architectural remains from the fortified town and from the region. Stone crosses, marble wash stands, statues, gothic windows, tablets, figures and old prints.

Musée de Beaux-Arts

In the Lower Town, entrance Rue Verdun, 17th and 18th century paintings, collection of faience, Carcassonne painter Jacque Gamelin, the painting, Les Apprêts d'un Dejeuner by Chardin, memorabilia from the Chénier family, works by Corot and other artists of the French Academy in the 19th century.