Site officiel de la ville et de la Communauté d'Agglomération du Carcassonnais
In 1998 the Town of Carcassonne celebrated the centennial of the setting ablaze of its legendary Cité: on 14 August 1898, the "Cadets de Gascogne", a company composed of some of the most prominent members of the worlds of literature, art and politics, had arrived in Carcassonne.
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On this occasion the Town had organised a big celebration to honor these prestigious visitors, including a historical reenactment, concerts, balls, illuminations, parades, artillery gun salutes, a torchlight march, banquets, etc.
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To conclude the celebrations, at nightfall the entire Cité was set ablaze and became one huge incandescent block of stone. The flaring-up of the Cité using Bengal lights was originally the idea of Achille Rouquet (1851-1928), founder of the Revue Méridionale. He was also a painter, an engraver, a poet and a félibre, i.e. a writer of langue d'oc. After the Cité's first flaring-up, he requested from the Mayor of Carcassonne, Monsieur Jules Sauzède, that this action be repeated each year. This event now takes place every year on the night of July 14th, and has achieved worldwide fame.
More than 700.000 spectators are huddled together on the banks of the Aude to see the amazing fireworks.
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During more than 25 minutes you can admire flames of blue, white, yellow, green red, gold and a grandiose crowning piece. More than 1200 impacts in 6 seconds over 600 metres of frontage.
Site Officiel de l'Office de Tourisme et de la ville de Carcassonne - www.carcassonne.org
Site Officiel de l'Office de Tourisme et de la ville de Carcassonne - www.carcassonne.org