Publications
Jean Deschamps et Shakespeare : une aventure théâtrale en Occitanie
A pioneering approach to cultural heritage preservation and tourism, exemplified by Jean Deschamps' integration of Shakespearean themes into the redevelopment of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Carcassonne. This study reveals how Deschamps' 'théâtre in situ' model, combining dramatic performance with historical site restoration, reshaped Occitanie's cultural landscape post-WWII. Leveraging previously untapped archival materials from the Fonds Jean Deschamps, the research demonstrates the enduring impact of this strategy on both artistic creation and smart tourism. An innovative smartphone-based immersive game, developed in collaboration with a local startup, further illustrates the potential for digital tools to revive traditional cultural practices in modern contexts.
Du pouvoir comtal au pouvoir royal : le château de Carcassonne
Recent research reveals that the origins of Carcassonne's medieval castle trace back to the early Middle Ages, serving as the capital of a Carolingian pagus. While the earliest comtal phase remains poorly understood, significant transformations occurred under the Trencavel family in the 12th century, strategically positioning the fortress against rival powers. The castle's strategic importance peaked during the royal phase post-Crusade, becoming a key administrative seat until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 diminished its role. From the 19th century onward, it transitioned into a Monument historique, undergoing extensive restoration by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and successors.
Le mausolée turriforme d’une villa près de Carcassonne/Carcasso (Aude)
Archaeological research near Carcassonne, France, has uncovered a rare and exceptional mausoleum dating back to the late 1st century BCE, coinciding with the city's elevation to Latin legal status. This turriform (tower-like) structure, part of a grand rural villa complex on Montredon hill, features an underground burial chamber—a design element uncommon in Gaul or western Europe at this early date. The mausoleum was erected within a private walled enclosure, interpreted as a 'park,' adjacent to the villa's residential area, which follows a classical Latin design centered around an atrium and peristyle. This discovery sheds light on elite burial practices during the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire, offering insights into the cultural and architectural influences of this period in southern Gaul.
Les remplages rayonnants des édifices religieux du diocèse de Carcassonne (fin du XIIIe siècle – première moitié du XIVe siècle)
A significant architectural innovation emerged in the diocese of Carcassonne between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, characterized by the introduction of 'rayonnant' style elements, notably the use of tracery. This feature, first appearing in the cathedral of Carcassonne, originated from northern France and was later adopted in surrounding churches. Tracery, both structural and decorative, divided windows into intricate compartments for stained glass and sometimes adorned walls or portals. By analyzing the stylistic evolution of these elements across the region's religious buildings, researchers have uncovered valuable insights into the development of 'rayonnant' architecture in southern France.
Reconstruction et réaménagements des châteaux devenus royaux dans les Corbières après le traité de Corbeil (XIIIe-XIVe siècles)
After the Treaty of Corbeil in the 13th century, the fortified line along the southern French border underwent significant reconstruction and reinforcement. This study reveals that the seneschalcy of Carcassonne played a pivotal role in managing the logistics of building, maintaining, and equipping royal fortresses in the Corbières region. Additionally, private fortifications, particularly those belonging to the Archbishop of Narbonne, complemented the royal defenses. The research focuses on the most prominent fortifications near the treaty's border, providing insights into the strategic adjustments made during this period.
Deux ornements réversibles du XVIIIe siècle : de Saint-Papoul à Carcassonne
Two reversible ornaments from the 18th century, originally from Saint-Papoul (Aude), were discovered in the cathedral of Carcassonne. These ornements, which exhibit unique craftsmanship and historical significance, provide valuable insights into the artistic and cultural exchanges between regions during this period. The study employed a detailed analysis of the ornaments' design, materials, and provenance to trace their origins and journey from Saint-Papoul to Carcassonne. This research contributes to our understanding of the material culture and heritage conservation practices in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne.
Guider au temps des médiations
Guiding practices at the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne reveal that the role of guides transcends traditional knowledge transmission, focusing instead on fostering passion for history and a desire to learn. Unlike audioguides or autonomous exploration, guided tours led by volunteers—often referred to as 'wardens'—prioritize human interaction and shared experience over structured information. This study highlights how such informal mediation strengthens the connection between visitors and heritage sites, blending modern expectations with timeless storytelling traditions. The research employed qualitative inquiry, observing these guides in action to uncover the nuances of their approach.
Viscount of Béziers and Carcassonne
Simon, the Viscount of Béziers and Carcassonne, distinguished himself by acquiring his southern French territories through conquest rather than inheritance, contrasting with the traditional Trencavel lineage. His rule was marked by a deliberate departure from local traditions, justified ideologically as a correction of deficient Christian governance. Simon's governance strategy combined military prowess with strategic patronage, including the co-optation of native lords and burghers, respect for urban autonomy, and generous support for local bishops and Cistercian houses. His implementation of reformist policies, encapsulated in the Statutes of Pamiers, balanced ideological demands with practical realities, earning him a dynamic rather than dogmatic approach to governance. This study highlights Simon's nuanced leadership, which mitigated opposition while advancing his reform agenda, offering insights into medieval governance and the interplay between tradition and innovation.
La voie d’Aquitaine entre Tolosa (Toulouse, Haute-Garonne) et Carcaso (Carcassonne, Aude) : stations et sites de bord de route
A comprehensive analysis of the Roman road 'La voie d’Aquitaine' between Toulouse and Carcassonne reveals its significant role in regional occupation and economy during antiquity. The study, combining ground and aerial surveys, identifies a network of official stations and numerous private 'roadside service sites,' which were primarily used by travelers and transporters. These sites, ranging from 0.5 to 2 hectares, often located near water sources, show evidence of blacksmithing activities and equipment related to vehicle maintenance, indicating specialized functions. The absence of alternative navigable routes underscores the road's critical importance in connecting regions and facilitating economic activity during the Roman period.
Near Infrared Spectra and Hyperspectral Imaging of Medieval Fortress Walls in Carcassonne: A Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Field Study
A comprehensive interdisciplinary field study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Carcassonne, reveals significant insights into the construction and use of its medieval fortress walls using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging. The research, conducted by a collaboration between universities and institutes, successfully identified raw materials used in wall construction and elucidated different phases of their development and vulnerabilities. This study builds upon earlier work that demonstrated simplified NIR imaging with modified digital cameras, advancing the technique's application to large-scale, protected archaeological sites where traditional laboratory analysis is impractical.
Carcassonne (Aude) : La Fajolle
Archaeological excavations at the Fajolle site within Carcassonne's historic fortified city have uncovered significant medieval architectural features, shedding new light on the city's defensive structures. The study reveals intricate details of a 12th-century tower, including its construction techniques and strategic placement, which were pivotal in Carcassonne's role as a fortified stronghold during the Middle Ages. Researchers employed stratigraphic analysis and architectural documentation to dissect the tower's layers, providing insights into its evolution over time. This discovery enhances our understanding of medieval military engineering and the city's historical significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Des comtes de Carcassonne aux vicomtes de Minerve
The transition from the Counts of Carcassonne to the Viscounts of Minerve, documented in this study, reveals significant political and territorial upheaval in Languedoc following the intervention of the counts of Barcelona. The research suggests that the first Viscounts of Minerve may have been direct descendants of Count William of Carcassonne, inheriting a network of castles and revenues previously held by the county. This shift marked a pivotal moment in the region's history, as the allodium of Minervois became a fief under the Trencavel, illustrating the broader impact of Barcelona's influence on Languedoc's feudal structure. The study employs historical analysis to trace these changes, providing insights into the complex inheritance patterns and power dynamics of the period.
La révolte de Carcassonne et Limoux au début du XIVe siècle : la rigueur du droit au service du pragmatisme financier?
A striking discrepancy between legal theory and practice emerges from the 1303–1304 rebellion in Carcassonne and Limoux, revealing how King Philip IV of France leveraged legal rigor for financial pragmatism. Despite condemning both cities for treason—a charge rooted in sophisticated legal arguments—Philip swiftly remitted their sentences, signaling a strategic shift tied to his broader financial interests. The study reexamines this episode by focusing on the ambiguous relationship between the cities and the French monarchy, rather than the well-documented conflict with the Inquisition. Through an analysis of legal discourse, it highlights how Philip's pragmatic approach to governance clashed with the rigid application of law, offering new insights into medieval political and financial dynamics in southern France.
Un système de drainage des eaux pluviales à Carcassonne
A sophisticated rainwater drainage system, characterized by its complex implementation and strategic adaptation to the natural terrain, was uncovered during archaeological excavations at the Franciscan convent in Carcassonne. This system, which dates back to the late 14th and early 15th centuries, demonstrates advanced engineering for its time, reflecting a nuanced understanding of hydrology and urban planning. The discovery was made during preventive excavations conducted between October 2006 and February 2007, offering rare insights into medieval water management practices within the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne.
À Carcassonne, la Cité sous les regards
By the early 19th century, Carcassonne's fortified city was largely abandoned and neglected, its military significance waning under Napoléon Ier's administration. The study reveals how the once-strategic fortress, deemed obsolete in 1804, succumbed to neglect and partial demolition as its stones were sold for construction, leaving only fragments of its former grandeur. This historical analysis sheds light on the transition from active military use to abandonment, highlighting the fragility of heritage preservation when structures lose their strategic value.
Les monuments sont habités
Monuments are not static entities but dynamic ones shaped by the complex and evolving relationships between them and the populations that inhabit their surroundings. This Franco-Italian collaborative study challenges the notion of monuments as immutable symbols, instead highlighting their fluidity through diverse modes of appropriation—ranging from subtle to overt, individual to collective. Through 15 case studies, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Carcassonne's fortified city and Matera’s Sassi, the research demonstrates how monuments are continuously redefined by human interaction, contradicting the idealized permanence embedded in their design and cultural significance.
Rythmes et modalités d'approvisionnement en silex blond bédoulien dans le Chasséen du bassin de l'Aude : le cas d’Auriac, Carcassonne (Aude)
Auriac, a fortified site within the UNESCO-listed Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, stands out for its significant and consistent use of Bédoulien blond flint sourced from Vaucluse during the Chasséen period. Unlike surrounding sites, Auriac's lithic industry is almost entirely composed of this imported material, primarily in the form of pre-shaped, heated nuclei and rare unheated blades, with the majority being lamellae production tools. This suggests a specialized role for Auriac as a central hub for importing and redistributing flint, supported by comparisons with other contemporary sites in the region. While neighboring settlements also engaged in lamellae production using imported nuclei, their reliance on Bédoulien flint was notably lower. The study, based on analyses of multiple lithic assemblages from Auriac's sectors, reveals distinct patterns of flint exploitation and utilization, with fortified areas showing stronger evidence of on-site lamellae production. Meanwhile, sites like Font-Juvénal, primarily used for caprine breeding, exhibited a higher proportion of unheated blades, hinting at separate distribution networks for heated nuclei and unheated blades.
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