Car Rental Carcassonne - Exploring Carcassonne
The area around Carcassonne is drenched in history, much of it dating back to the times of the Crusades. The surrounding towns and countryside are littered with fragments or icons that tell the stories of violent sieges and the desperate need for refuge.
Driving through the surrounding countryside, you can see many examples of the so-called ‘circular villages’ – settlements that were constructed in medieval times in a circular layout, as a defence against marauding invaders.
A trip to Minerve, which lies northeast of Carcassonne, is especially recommended for those interested in the Cathars, as the town’s museum traces the history of these persecuted people. Minerve was also the site of a valiant battle fought against Simon the Wicked by the Cathar people, who managed to block his advances for seven days. When he finally gained entry, he burned 140 Cathars to death.
Narbonne is a charming little town that boasts the fourth-tallest cathedral in France, the Cathedral of St Just. The city is also home to a museum with interesting displays documenting Roman exhibits, and has an interesting market on Thursdays.
Beziers has the greatest historical importance of locations in proximity to Carcassonne, as it was the scene of the first massacre of Cathars in 1209. In this merciless attack, the Crusaders took the town by force and murdered every one of its people as a brutal statement of their hatred of the heretics. Among the residents of the town were women and children, Cathars and Catholics – yet not one was spared.
Beziers is a far friendlier place today, however. It is known as the venue of some of the most festive ferias (fairs) in Europe, and is also known for its bullfights, excellent wine and Friday flower market. If you visit, be sure not to miss the Plateau des Poetes; its lush gardens are filled with rare plants and trees, along with busts of famous poets.
