Old Military & Street Map of Carcassonne by Viollet-le-Duc, 1854: Cité Fortifications, Château, Basilica

The “Plan d'ensemble de la Ville et de la Cite de Carcassonne,” created in 1854 under the direction of Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc and Colonel de Rivieres, stands as a remarkable testament to the intersection of urban history, military architecture, and the nascent science of conservation. This manuscript city map captures Carcassonne at a pivotal moment—just as its world-renowned restoration was about to commence—offering a rare and authentic snapshot of the city’s medieval fortifications, bustling lower town, and the intricate interplay between ancient and modern urban forms. The original French title itself evokes the comprehensive vision of its creators, who meticulously documented every bastion, bridge, and boulevard in anticipation of the sweeping changes to come.

What sets this city map apart is its dual focus: the fortified Cité de Carcassonne, a concentric marvel of medieval military engineering, and the Ville Basse, the vibrant lower city across the Aude River. The map’s detailed rendering of the double-walled Cité, complete with towers, barbicans, and the imposing Château Comtal, reveals the city’s formidable defenses—never breached during the Hundred Years’ War and virtually untouched by the Black Prince’s infamous raid. Landmarks such as the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, already undergoing restoration at the time, are clearly marked, highlighting the city’s rich religious and architectural heritage.

The map’s artistry lies not only in its precise delineation of fortifications but also in its thoughtful depiction of Carcassonne’s civil life. The Ville Basse is mapped with equal care, its medieval street grid and prominent squares—like Place Carnot and Place Gambetta—speaking to centuries of civic evolution. The graceful curves of the Aude River and the elegant crossings of the Pont Vieux and Pont Neuf connect the ancient Cité to the bustling neighborhoods of the lower town, illustrating the city’s dynamic relationship with its landscape and waterways. Such features make this map an invaluable resource for anyone captivated by the layered histories of European cities.

Historically, this map is of profound importance. Created at the dawn of Viollet-le-Duc’s half-century-long restoration campaign, it documents Carcassonne as it existed before the removal of later structures and the careful rehabilitation of its ramparts, towers, and gates. The annotations and color-coded key, distinguishing civil and military fortifications, reflect the meticulous planning and vision that would ultimately save Carcassonne from ruin. As a result, this map not only charts the physical contours of a city but also the intellectual and cultural currents that shaped the modern practice of heritage conservation.

Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, the map’s guiding spirit, was a visionary architect whose work at Carcassonne influenced conservation principles worldwide. Renowned for his interpretive restorations of Notre Dame de Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, and other French icons, Viollet-le-Duc approached Carcassonne with both scholarly rigor and creative imagination. His legacy, preserved in this extraordinary map, is not merely one of stone and mortar but of a deep reverence for history, urban form, and the enduring power of place. For collectors, historians, and connoisseurs of cartographic art, this map offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of the living story of Carcassonne—a city whose walls have witnessed the passage of empires, faiths, and centuries.

Streets and roads on this map

• Allée des Soupirs
• Avenue de la Gare
• Avenue du Pont Neuf
• Boulevard Barbès
• Boulevard de la Bastide
• Boulevard de la Cité
• Boulevard de la Préfecture
• Boulevard du Canal
• Boulevard du Commandant Roumens
• Boulevard Marcou
• Boulevard Omer Sarraut
• Boulevard Pasteur
• Boulevard Paul Sabatier
• Boulevard Pierre Curie
• Boulevard Voltaire
• Chemin de la Cité
• Chemin de la Madeleine
• Chemin du Pont Vieux
• Place Carnot
• Place Davilla
• Place Eggenfelden
• Place Gambetta
• Place Marcou
• Place Saint-Gimer
• Place Saint-Louis
• Pont Neuf
• Pont Vieux
• Rue Aimé Ramond
• Rue de la Barbacane
• Rue de Verdun

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The fortified Cité de Carcassonne, with its double ring of walls and numerous towers
• The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire (labelled #20 in red), a major religious and architectural landmark
• The Château Comtal (Count's Castle) within the Cité
• The Ville Basse (lower city) across the river from the Cité
• The Aude River, separating the Cité from the Ville Basse
• Bridges crossing the Aude River, connecting the Cité and Ville Basse
• City gates, including the Porte Narbonnaise and Porte de l'Aude
• Civil and military fortifications, color-coded and annotated
• A detailed key/legend at the left side of the map
• Extensive annotations and project notes in the lower left corner
• Defensive towers and bastions along the walls
• The area between the two lines of walls (the "lists"), later cleared of houses during restoration
• Prominent open spaces and plazas within the city
• The concentric design of the Cité's fortifications
• The rectangular fortified enclosure of the castle
• The medieval street grid of the Ville Basse
• The riverbank and embankments along the Aude

Historical and design context

• Created in 1854 under the direction of Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc and Colonel de Rivieres, as part of the restoration planning for Carcassonne.
• Documents Carcassonne at the outset of its influential 19th-century restoration, before major changes and demolitions.
• Shows both the fortified Cité and the Ville Basse, capturing the dual character of the city.
• Features a large manuscript design with color-coded civil and military fortifications, and a comprehensive legend.
• Reflects the intellectual and cultural movement in 19th-century France to preserve and restore medieval monuments.
• Viollet-le-Duc’s restoration of Carcassonne became a model for modern conservation practices and had a profound influence on heritage preservation.
• The map is an official artifact, signed by the Colonel of the City, and was used for urban planning during the reign of Napoleon III.
• Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its exceptional medieval fortifications and restoration legacy.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.