Afterwards we visited mum in the nearby care home on a day when she was not quite herself.

Much later in the day we dined in the Giggling Squid before visiting Theatre Severn to hear Kate Mosse ‘Unlocking the Secrets of the Labyrinth’. She shared her inspiration for her novel Labyrinth and the subsequent books in the trilogy and the book that didn’t quite fit in with her research.

Kate shared the beauty, history and mystery of Carcassonne and the Languedoc region from the 13th century wars of religion between Catholics and Cathars in south-west France to modern-day Grail legends and conspiracy theories.

The talk brought back fond memories of my visit to Carcassonne.

The recent Google Doodle celebrating the 200th anniversary of the architect who renovated the walled city of Carcassonne brought back happy memories of my visit there in 2012.

From the Telegraph regarding the man and his anniversary:

Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, the architect known for his distinctive restoration work on medieval buildings, has been celebrated with a Google doodle.

The doodle depicts one of Viollet-le-Duc’s designs and celebrates what would have been his 200th birthday today.

Born in France, Viollet-le-Duc was involved in the July Revolution of 1830 and embraced republicanism and anti-clericalism.

The French theorist started restoring medieval buildings in 1835 and achieved national fame with his work at Notre Dame de Paris.

Viollet-le-Duc became known for the gothic elements of his designs and for combining historical fact with creative modifications, which led to criticism from his contemporaries and John Ruskin.

His works also included Basilica of St Denis near Paris, Carcassonne and Chateau de Pierrefonds.

As well as his work on restorations he was considered a theorist on modern architecture, making numerous drawings.

He had a second career in the military, defending Paris during the Franco-Prussian war from 1870 to 1871 and developing theories of defence that were to influence the engineers behind fortifications for both the first and second world wars.

Viollet-le-Duc later relocated to Switzerland where he built a villa, and remained there until his death in 1879.

From my archives:

The walled city (La Cite) of Carcassonne was built on the site of a former Roman fortress.  The city is protected by two heavily fortified walls and has no less than 52 towers and barbicans. In medieval times Simon de Montfort led crusades against the Albigensians (Cathars) whom the Catholic Church had branded as heretics due to their beliefs.

At that time that city and its inhabitants were under the protection of Raymond Trencavel, “Vicomte de Carcassonne”. The town surrounding the city was destroyed during these crusades and King Louis IV authorised the building of the Bastide on the left bank of the river Aude as a replacement.

When the Roussillon region became part of France in 1659 the city’s strategic importance as a border fortress declined, the inhabitants moved to the lower town and the city fell into disrepair. In 1844 the architect Viollet-le-Duc was put in charge of the restoration of Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Celse basilica and subsequently he undertook a study of all the city fortifications. This study was used as a basis for the restoration of the city and its fortifications.

Errr… what where you thinking?

Photo copyright of TAG.

Some of you might recall that the boys take over my living room from time to time so that they can use the floor to play Napoleonic wargames. Before they even get to this point they exchange correspondence with the game umpire so that he knows where their figures are going be placed on the board. They are currently embarked on another campaign and a few days ago I received the following correspondence…

From: General C, commanding VII Corps

To: Madame C

Message Text:

My dearest lady,

I am recently arrived in Toulouse where I have now assumed command of VII Corps as ordered by the Emperor. VII Corps is a fine and powerful force of arms, if a little short of cavalry and sturdy boots. I have just issued orders for the Corps to concentrate in the Perpignan area prior to advancing into Spain. I trust you will wish me every success as I embark upon these endeavours on behalf of Bonaparte.

The route of the march from Toulouse to Perpignan will take me through Carcassonne, which fine walled town I know you cherish. As I pass by the citadel, I shall recall fondly our time enjoying cassoulet and fine wine. I can only hope that thunderstorms similar to the one that engulfed us that one balmy evening do not reoccur.

Yours always,

M.

It would of course have been rude of me not to reply

From: Madame C

To: General C

Message Text:

My Dearest One,

I hope you manage to sort out your cavalry and boot deficiencies and I wish you well in your campaign in support of Bonaparte.

I have fond memories of our times together in that walled citadel.  I have to confess that the storm you mention was not one of the highlights for me, but the warmth indoors after the storm I well remember.

Whilst you are away I shall take comfort in the peaceful atmosphere in Chartres Cathedral, which I know you enjoy so much when you are back in our home town and not campaigning.  I may even walk the labyrinth to calm my thoughts and stop me worrying about the difficulties you may encounter.

My thoughts are with you in these uncertain times.

Ever yours,

C.

One of the books I am currently reading is ‘The Perfect Heresy: The Life and Death of the Cathars‘ by Stephen O’Shea.  At the beginning of the chapter on Carcassonne there is a perfect description of what I saw and how I felt when I caught my first fleeting glimpse of Carcassonne as I traveled from Toulouse airport:

TO APPROACH CARCASSONNE for the first time is to dream with your eyes open.  the turrets and bastions of the old city stand on a deceptive rise in the valley of the River Aude, so the crenelated citadel appears suddenly, floating in the middle distance, a visitor from another time.  The tan stone blocks of the ramparts turn auburn, then mauve in the late afternoon sun.

More of this weeks theme can be found in the ‘golden’ gallery.

Before the homeward journey…