Medieval Fortress of Carcassonne, France

Carcassonne is a fortified town in France. Its strategical importance was quickly recognized by the Romans who occupied its hilltop until the demise of their western empire. The city is famous for the Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval fortress restored by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1853 and added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.