Carcassonne nowadays is the departmental capital of Aude in the South of France close to the Pyrenees, a major town with more than 40,000 inhabitants.

The old part of the city, la Cité, is enclosed by a completely intact circuit of fortifications after some repairs where done in the 19th century and it is defended by 52 sturdy towers and huge heavily fortified entrance gates. It's beautifully (and strategically, of course!) situated on a hill-top and divided from the new part of the town by the river Aude.

The oldest parts of la Cité date from the Roman period until the Wishigoths drove them out five centuries later. From here the conquests of Toulouse and Septimania were planned and carried out. In the 8th century Carcassonne fell into the hands of the Franks. In the 13th century it was a stronghold for the Cathars in their battle for independence from the North. The tribunal of the inquisition of the Cathars had their headquarters in "La Tour De l'Inquisition" in which many people suffered torture and violent death because of their religion.

Carcassonne's medieval Cité is one of the most amazing sights in France.