ROYAL POWER AND THE NEW FACE OF THE FORTIFIED TOWN The First Phase
The Inner Wall seen from the east facade.
s a result of the events following the struggle between the
Trencavel viscounts and the Capetians major reconstruction work
was undertaken in the fortified town of Carcassonne. These greatly
changed the appearance of the fortress stamping its defensive
works, castle and cathedral with the mark of the Ile de France
engineers and artists. The first projects were carried out following
the creation of the royal senechalsy
(1226) and were interrupted during the siege of the city in
1240. The castle
was fortified. Construction of a second
line of defence intended to match the ancient
wall was begun. With barbicans and 16 towers it covers more
than 1,500 m. The lists
which then consisted of an open space between the two ramparts,
were designed to perfect the defences. At the same time, in
order to adapt the fortress to new artillery techniques, sections
of the ancient ramparts were renovated, raised and crenellated;
loopholes and
arrow slits
were then made in the gallo-roman bays that had been filled
in.
s a result of the events following the struggle between the
Trencavel viscounts and the Capetians major reconstruction work
was undertaken in the fortified town of Carcassonne. These greatly
changed the appearance of the fortress stamping its defensive
works, castle and cathedral with the mark of the Ile de France
engineers and artists. The first projects were carried out following
the creation of the royal 
