Cháteau Comtal

Carcassonne, France

The Château Comtal (Count’s Castle) is a medieval castle within the Cité of Carcassonne, the largest city in Europe with its city walls still intact. The Château Comtal has a strong claim to be called a 'Cathar Castle'. When the Catholic Crusader army arrived in 1209 they first attacked Raymond-Roger Trencavel's castrum at Bèziers and then moved on to his main stronghold at Carcassonne.

The castle with rectangular shape is separated from the city by a deep ditch and defended by two barbicans. There are six towers curtain walls.

The castle was restored in 1853 by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Address

Rue Viollet le Duc 5, Carcassonne, France

See all sites in Carcassonne

Details

Founded: c. 1130
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

www.remparts-carcassonne.fr
www.catharcastles.info
whc.unesco.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne (0,1 km)
Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus (0,2 km)
Carcassonne Cathedral (1,1 km)

St. Mary Magdalene Church (32,1 km)
Minerve (35 km)
Mirepoix Cathedral (41,8 km)
Château de Peyrepertuse (40,5 km)
Castres Cathedral (45,2 km)
Goya Museum (45,2 km)
Saint-Hilaire Abbey (13,4 km)
Alet Cathedral Ruins (25,1 km)
Château de Quéribus (46,2 km)

User Reviews

Ian Woolley (4 years ago)
Awesome place. Really busy, when I came out of season it was better, but I loved it.

Elmar Zwart (4 years ago)
A beautiful and a must to visit, when you are in Carcassonne. We took the route that goes to the right, which is better/nicer for children.

Alan K (4 years ago)
Loved it well worth a visit. Spent over two hours walking around and paid the extra for the audio guide. So much history to get lost in and you can spend hours here if you wished. Also nice little beer garden on the right when you finish the tour.

Angelo Vassallo (4 years ago)
Spectacular and really big! Take your time to visit it. View spectacular from its top and place full of history. One of the best castle complexes in Europe

Neha Dogra (4 years ago)
Drove to this castle all the way from Barcelona on my vacation. This castle has a breathtaking view from above! I went during off season to avoid large crowds which was a plus since there was barely anyone visiting. This castle has such deep history of the past so it made it even more intriguing to see. I recommend this castle to everyone!

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.