The Story of Carcassonne Cathedral Through History

Last updated on February 10th, 2024 at 08:03 am

Discover the story of Carcassonne Cathedral, the tale of two cathedrals

Ever since reading the Ken Follett books about the building of an 11th-century cathedral in the fictional city of Kingsbridge in England, I’ve been fascinated by cathedrals, and Carcassonne Cathedral doesn’t disappoint.

Although, it shouldn’t be confused with the gothic Basilica of Saint Nazaire and Saint Celsus, but more on that in a minute.

First, you need to know there are two parts to Carcassonne, each with its own cathedral. Actually, one lost its cathedral status in 1803 to the other, so they have never existed at the same time.

But in Carcassonne, there is the Bastide, the lower and more industrial part of the city and the Citadel, Cité de Carcassonne with the ramparts and castle.

To really understand what happened, we need to take a step back in history, so let’s dive in.

The history of Carcassonne Cathedral

Carcassonne Cathedral has a long and checkered history going back centuries and the city of Carcassonne is famous for its religious and political upheavals that shaped medieval France.

From the Cathar heresy and the Albigensian Crusade to the strategic fortifications during the Hundred Years’ War, Carcassonne’s story is a vivid tapestry of resilience and transformation. 

The Albigensian Crusade, 1209-1229), was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc. Carcassonne was a stronghold of the Cathars, a religious group deemed heretical by the Catholic Church. 

When the city of Béziers fell and was completely destroyed, Carcassonne didn’t want the same fate. 

The fortress, renowned for its impregnability, fell to the Crusaders, and its Viscount, Raymond-Roger Trencavel, was captured and later died in mysterious circumstances. This marked a crucial point in the crusade, significantly weakening the Cathar position in the region.

The Hundred Years’ War, 1337-1453, was a prolonged conflict between England and France, and although the main battles didn’t occur in Carcassonne, the city’s strategic position meant it was fortified extensively during this period to protect against potential English invasions. 

The wider Aquitaine region was devastated during the reign of terror of the Black Prince, and Carcassonne itself was sacked (ransacked).

All of these took its toll on the cathedral, as well as the city.

Basilica of Saint Nazaire and Saint Celsus (Basilique des Saints Nazaire et Celse)

The earliest church on this site was built during the 6th century under the reign of Theodoric the Great, ruler of the Visigoths, marking the initial phase of Christian worship in the area.

This early structure was later replaced by a Carolingian cathedral, of which no traces remain today.

The construction of the current structure began in the 11th century and was completed in the first half of the 12th century. This was a period of significant architectural and artistic development in southern France. 

The Romanesque features of the basilica, prominent from this period, showcase the religious and cultural influences of the time.

On June 12, 1096, Pope Urban II visited Carcassonne and blessed the building materials for the cathedral, signifying the importance of this site within the Christian world.

However, the 12th and 13th centuries, which were tumultuous times in Southern France, brought changes to the basilical.

During the rule of Kings Philip III and Philip IV, there was a shift in architectural style, and the cathedral was reconstructed in the Gothic style. This transformation was partly a response to the changing tastes and religious sentiments of the time. 

The Gothic renovation, particularly the transept and choir, introduced larger windows that allowed for better illumination, contrasting with the darker Romanesque nave.

 A notable feature from this period is the central stained glass window of the choir, dating back to 1280, which is among the oldest in southern France and depicts various scenes from the life of Jesus.

Around 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte demilitarised Carcassonne, and the Basilica lost its cathedral status to the present Carcassonne Cathedral, Saint-Michel. 

Saint Michael’s Cathedral of Carcassonne (Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne)

Saint Michael’s Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church and a national monument in France, serves as the seat of the Bishop of Carcassonne and Narbonne and is in the Bastide rather than La Cité.

The construction of the original building dates back to the 13th century when it was built as a parish church dedicated to Saint Michael.

The building’s initial purpose was to serve the local parish community, indicating its significant role in the religious life of Carcassonne.

In the 14th century, the church underwent significant changes. It was during this time the church experienced war damage and it was subsequently rebuilt as a fortified church. 

A pivotal moment in the history of this church came in 1803 when it was elevated to cathedral status.

This change was part of a broader reorganisation of church structures and saw St. Michael’s Cathedral becoming the primary ecclesiastical building in Carcassonne.

The cathedral has a single nave with a 20-metre-high vault, lined with several lateral chapels. The choir screen within the cathedral has a 14th-century stained glass, adding to the historical and artistic value of the building. 

The exterior facade of the cathedral is relatively sober, with a large rosette measuring 8 metres in diameter as its main decorative feature.

Additionally, the adjoining bell tower is huge, adding to the cathedral’s imposing presence.

Final thoughts on Carcassonne Cathedral

Whether you’re into cathedrals or not Carcassonne is definitely worth visiting as there is just so much to see. Not to mention, it’s like stepping onto the movie set for a medieval blockbuster. This romantic city has it all.

It’s one of the most famous walled cities in France and despite the Pandemic the city’s appeal hasn’t diminished.

And if you do decide to go to Carcassonne, the best place to stay is the Hotel de la Cité, in the centre of the citadel. I had a wonderful few days there, so can highly recommend it.

Or if you’re more into camping or glamping I found some great sites to stay in so you’re only a stone’s throw from the old city.