Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille Monument, Carcassonne
In 1849 the French government decreed the fortifications of Carcassonne must be demolished. They were crumbling and unsightly and hell to dust. Even Napoleon had Carcassonne struck off the list of official fortifications.
But the government picked the wrong town to start a fight. They picked wrong town and the wrong mayor. Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille was an official inspector of historical monuments, he was deeply passionate about his city. The government had its decree but Jean-Pierre he had the city behind him and he had influential friends.
Prosper Merimee, a prominent writer and fellow inspector of historical monuments, was equally passionate about preservation. Merrimee had been involved in several controversial restoration efforts including Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral. Together they would hold the fort. They succeeded. The government reversed itself.
Gothic revivalist architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc was in town, working at restoring the basilica of Saint-Nazaire. He undertook the needed restorations.
A memorial to Jean-Pierre was dedicated in 1911. It is an imposing bronze bust of him atop a bronze column. The base of the column is an accurate sculpture of the walls and fortifications of Carcassonne. The memorial was erected by "ses concitoyens et ses amis" ("his fellow citizens and friends").
But the government picked the wrong town to start a fight. They picked wrong town and the wrong mayor. Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille was an official inspector of historical monuments, he was deeply passionate about his city. The government had its decree but Jean-Pierre he had the city behind him and he had influential friends.
Prosper Merimee, a prominent writer and fellow inspector of historical monuments, was equally passionate about preservation. Merrimee had been involved in several controversial restoration efforts including Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral. Together they would hold the fort. They succeeded. The government reversed itself.
Gothic revivalist architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc was in town, working at restoring the basilica of Saint-Nazaire. He undertook the needed restorations.
A memorial to Jean-Pierre was dedicated in 1911. It is an imposing bronze bust of him atop a bronze column. The base of the column is an accurate sculpture of the walls and fortifications of Carcassonne. The memorial was erected by "ses concitoyens et ses amis" ("his fellow citizens and friends").
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Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille Monument on Map
Sight Name: Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille Monument
Sight Location: Carcassonne, France (See walking tours in Carcassonne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Carcassonne, France (See walking tours in Carcassonne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Carcassonne, France
Create Your Own Walk in Carcassonne
Creating your own self-guided walk in Carcassonne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Carcassonne Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled in the picturesque region of Occitanie in southern France is the captivating city of Carcassonne.
The name "Carcassonne" is believed to have originated from the Gallic word "Carsac," referring to a fort settlement that was later fortified by the Romans who occupied the area in the 1st century BC.
A legend suggests another, more colorful version of the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The name "Carcassonne" is believed to have originated from the Gallic word "Carsac," referring to a fort settlement that was later fortified by the Romans who occupied the area in the 1st century BC.
A legend suggests another, more colorful version of the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Medieval City of Carcassonne Walking Tour
A pig full of wheat was thrown off the battlements. The lady commanding the fortress was a Muslim. The besieging Christians knew Muslims do not eat pig. What is more, the defenders must have plenty of food if they could feed wheat to a pig and throw it over the walls. The siege had lasted five years. The attackers were starving. They left.
Many stories are told about the fortified medieval... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Many stories are told about the fortified medieval... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles