Cordes-Sur-Ciel

Occitania, France

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Cordes-sur-Ciel in Occitania, France, is a striking medieval hilltop town founded in 1222 by Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, as a bastide to protect and resettle people displaced by the Albigensian Crusade.

Built on a steep hill, it was designed with a grid street plan and defensive walls, becoming a prosperous center for merchants trading in leather, textiles, and wool. The town is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved Gothic civil architecture, featuring elaborate stone-carved facades and fortified gates.

Throughout its history, Cordes-sur-Ciel survived conflicts like the Hundred Years' War and religious wars, preserving much of its 13th and 14th-century character. Its elevated position offers breathtaking views and a unique “city in the sky” ambiance, which inspired the addition of "sur-Ciel" (meaning "on the sky") to its name in 1993. Today, it is a popular tourist destination celebrated for its medieval charm, artisan workshops, cultural institutions, and local culinary traditions, including the famous almond biscuit called Croquants de Cordes.