1-629-834 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Carcassonne, France, 1937. The medieval walled city of Carcassonne was the site of a siege in 1209 during the Albigensian Crusade. A stronghold of the Cathar sect, the city fell to the crusaders commanded by Simon de Montfort after its water supply was cut off. During the Hundred Years War Carcassonne was besieged by Edward the Black Prince, who failed to capture the citadel but burned the lower town. By 1849 the walls had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the French government planned their demolition, but such was the public outcry that they were restored instead. Now a World Heritage Site, the fortifications consist of a double ring of ramparts with 53 towers.