Accessed by the Pont Marengo bridge,
jutting out over the shimmering waters of the Canal du Midi, historically, Carcassonne was the first fortress to adopt a «hoardings» system of defence in times of siege, wooden structures were
fitted to the upper reaches of the ramparts so that the castle's defenders had extra protection whilst they could lean over the walls and drop rocks, hot tar and other projectiles
on the assailants below.