Carcassonne - France

Perched high up on a hill above the River Aude, the old walled city of Carcassone looks like a

fairytale medieval fortress but it whispers of the 19th century thanks to the extensive

restoration works undertaken from 1844 under the direction of the controversial architect

Eugene Violet-le-Duc.

The city was originally fortified by the Romans around 100 BC, with subsequent modifications

in the 11th century, but it was later left to ruin until Violet-le-Duc's ambitions project.

It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1997 and although retaining the

appearance of an impenetrable fortress, it now attracts some 200,000 visitors a year.

For information:

www.carcassonne-tourisme.com