Photos: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Lynx1211, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Daniel Lepoittevin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Lynx1211, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Daniel Lepoittevin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Porte Narbonnaise, the gate built to trap an army
Your local guide
Julien Paloc
View profile
Highlights
- A gate designed to trap, not just block
- An outer barbican forcing a detour
- Murder holes aimed at the passage below
- Saints watching over twin defensive towers
- Architecture built purely to slow an army
About this tour
This session looks at Porte Narbonnaise, from the outer barbican that forced attackers to clear a separate structure first to the twin towers of the main gate itself. You see how each layer of the entrance was designed to slow and trap an advancing force. It is a focused session about one very deliberately dangerous piece of architecture.
We move through the gate in roughly the order an approaching force would have, pausing at each defensive layer. I answer questions about the fortifications as they come up. A short note on the gate's history follows the call.
This suits anyone with an interest in medieval military architecture. It also works well as an entry point into a longer session on the ramparts themselves.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Carcassonne before heading out.
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The outer barbican 15 min
The camera looks at the first line of defence in front of the main gate, a separate fortified structure an attacker had to clear before even reaching the actual entrance. I explain how this extra layer bought defenders crucial time.
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The twin towers 15 min
Passing through, you see the two round towers flanking the gate itself, statues of saints set into niches between them. I point out the murder holes positioned to strike anyone trapped in the passage below.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Carcassonne: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Blanquette de Limoux and Quai de la République, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Paris time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 11 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Carcassonne, showing you The outer barbican and The twin towers live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I carry my phone through the gate while we talk.
Times shown in Paris time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 19 Nov · 11 seats left From 18,00 €
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