Mostly built during the 13th century, the Château Comtal of Carcassonne is an emblematic figure of the Cathar country. Of a rectangular shape, it is separated from the city by a deep ditch and defended by two barbicans. One faces towards the town while the other goes down to the banks of the Aude river. On the western side of the castle is a watchtower defending the palace: the Tour Pinte. Perfectly well-preserved to this day, thanks to the renovation of the architect Viollet-le-Duc, the castle is one of the most visited monuments in Europe.