Du pouvoir comtal au pouvoir royal : le château de Carcassonne

Recent research reveals that the origins of Carcassonne's medieval castle trace back to the early Middle Ages, serving as the capital of a Carolingian pagus. While the earliest comtal phase remains poorly understood, significant transformations occurred under the Trencavel family in the 12th century, strategically positioning the fortress against rival powers. The castle's strategic importance peaked during the royal phase post-Crusade, becoming a key administrative seat until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 diminished its role. From the 19th century onward, it transitioned into a Monument historique, undergoing extensive restoration by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and successors.

Baudreu, D. (2019). Du pouvoir comtal au pouvoir royal : le château de Carcassonne. Patrimoines Du Sud, 10. https://doi.org/10.4000/pds.3018