David Benzerien Artes, a 40-year-old amateur photographer originally from Toulouse, is currently showcasing his deep affection for Carcassonne through a dedicated exhibition at the heart of the city's medieval fortress. The exhibition, titled "La Cité Moments suspendus" (The City: Suspended Moments), features approximately fifteen carefully selected photographs captured throughout his twenty-five years of residence in the area. Running from October 10, 2025, through January 5, 2026, the display is housed within the historic Château Comtal, nestled inside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cité de Carcassonne. This unique presentation allows visitors to experience artistic interpretations of the monument while standing within its ancient walls.

Benzerien Artes, who has called Carcassonne home for over two decades, considers himself a true admirer of what he describes as "the most beautiful castle in the world." His journey with photography began as a personal passion to document the magical site that has captivated him for years. The artist's connection to the medieval city extends beyond mere documentation; he has studied its history, its preservation across centuries, and the ever-changing atmospheric conditions that transform its appearance. This intimate knowledge enables him to capture perspectives that reveal new dimensions of the familiar landmark to both residents and tourists alike.

The collection on display represents the photographer's most emotionally resonant works, each image tied to a specific memory and moment in time. Among the standout pieces is a dramatic photograph taken during a thunderstorm in 2023, showcasing the fortress under intense meteorological conditions. Benzerien Artes deliberately shoots in all weather patterns and seasons, believing that the varying light and visitor presence create unique ambiances that never repeat themselves. His philosophy centers on photography's power to freeze time eternally, preserving fleeting moments that would otherwise be lost to history.

The emotional weight of each photograph is profound for the artist, who experiences intense personal connections to every captured scene. He hopes visitors will share in these emotions as they view the collection, which spans different weather conditions and crowd levels. The photographer particularly appreciates how the medieval city never presents the same atmosphere or lighting twice, making each image a singular testament to a specific instant. This variability has kept him engaged with the subject for many years, constantly seeking new angles and interpretations.

The exhibition's location within the Château Comtal adds another layer of historical resonance to the viewing experience. Visitors can access the show daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, allowing ample opportunity to explore both the photographs and the medieval fortress itself. The presentation has been met with considerable interest from the local community and tourists, who appreciate seeing the familiar monument through an artist's passionate lens. This initiative represents a rare opportunity to display contemporary photography within a medieval setting, bridging centuries of visual culture.

As the exhibition approaches its conclusion in early January 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring inspiration that historic monuments provide to contemporary artists. Benzerien Artes's work demonstrates how deep, sustained engagement with a single subject can yield a rich, varied body of work that reveals new perspectives on even the most photographed locations. The project not only celebrates Carcassonne's architectural magnificence but also highlights the role of local artists in interpreting and preserving cultural heritage through modern mediums.