Guide to Carcassonne Castle

Carcassonne is a fortified medieval city located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. The city is best known for its well-preserved double ring of ramparts and 52 towers, known as La Cité de Carcassonne, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The medieval city of Carcassonne is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world to explore its winding streets, ancient architecture, and picturesque squares.

Inside the walls, you can find the Saint-Nazaire Basilica, which dates back to the 13th century, and the Castle of the Counts of Carcassonne, which offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding countryside. There are also several museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of the Inquisition.

Beyond the walls, the lower town of Carcassonne, known as the Ville Basse, offers a different experience with its charming streets, markets, shops and restaurants. Visitors can also take a boat trip along the Canal du Midi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site that runs through the region.

Carcassonne is a great destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and for those who enjoy the beauty of the French countryside.

The walled city is a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest medieval city in Europe. You can walk around the ramparts and then stroll down the narrow streets. During high season there is jousting and other attractions. The Castle does get very busy during the day and it is often better to visit in the cooler evening. The night lights and carnival atmosphere make for an unfogettable experience. Carcassonne Castle at night gives you impression you could be walking back in time.

Carcassonne is a great base to explore the land of the Cathars. A short drive from the coast you can also explore the Pyrenees and Andorra is nearby. Carcassonne is a world heritage site and there is plenty of local events to make a wonderful family holiday. Close by there are lakes for swimming and boating. Cavayere, Montbel and Pradelles are well worth visiting The airport is just 10 minutes drive away.You may also fly into Toulouse, Narbonne or Barcelona.

Carcassonne is really two separate cities - the main city (seen on map) with the typically French boulevards and Canal du Midi, and the famous walled city (La Cité) with fairy-tale turrets which forms the backdrop to the Kevin Costner film - 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves'. When you walk along the canal in Carcassonne, the shaded road runs alongside the Canal du Midi, past the Central Station and over the lock at Pont Marengo (named after Napoleon's horse!).

Staying in a hotel in Carcassonne offers a unique holiday experience in the heart of southern France. Whether you choose a luxurious hotel within the medieval Cité de Carcassonne or a charming option in the town's more modern areas, you'll enjoy easy access to the region's rich history and scenic beauty. The Cité, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an enchanting backdrop with its well-preserved fortress walls, narrow streets, and ancient landmarks. Many hotels in this area feature stunning views, atmospheric medieval charm, and amenities like spas and fine dining, providing an indulgent base for exploring the town's rich cultural heritage.

For a more relaxed stay, hotels near the Canal du Midi offer peaceful surroundings with picturesque views of the waterway and surrounding countryside. You’ll also find family-friendly accommodations with convenient access to local markets, restaurants, and outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and boat tours. Whether you’re visiting to explore the region's historic castles, enjoy its wine culture, or simply relax and take in the beauty of the Pyrenees, hotels in Carcassonne cater to a wide range of preferences, making it a perfect destination for both relaxation and adventure.

Carcassonne is a fortified town in the Aude département, serving as its préfecture, and located in the historic province of Languedoc. The town is divided into the fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the broader lower city, known as the ville basse. According to folk legend, the town's name derives from a châtelaine named Carcas, who used a clever ruse to end a siege, culminating in the joyous ringing of bells ("Carcas sona"). Although this story is celebrated with a neo-Gothic statue of Madame Carcas near the Narbonne Gate, it is a modern invention.

Under Napoleon and during the Restoration, Carcassonne was removed from the roster of official fortifications, and the Cité fell into disrepair. By 1849, the French government issued a decree for its demolition, sparking widespread protest. Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille, an antiquarian and the mayor of Carcassonne, along with Prosper Mérimée, the first inspector of ancient monuments, launched a campaign to save the fortress as a historical monument.

Renowned architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, already restoring the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, was commissioned in 1853 to renovate the fortifications. Work began with the west and southwest walls, followed by the towers of the Porte Narbonnaise, the main entrance to the Cité. The restoration focused on consolidating the fortifications, repairing the tower roofs, and clearing structures encroaching on the walls, some of which were themselves of historic significance. Viollet-le-Duc meticulously documented his work before his death in 1879. His restoration efforts were continued by his pupil Paul Boeswillwald and later architect Nodet, ensuring the preservation of Carcassonne’s historic grandeur.

For more than two thousand years, Carcassonne has stood at a crossroads, connecting routes between Spain and Italy, as well as linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Its central location makes it the perfect base for exploring nearby vineyards, lively markets, charming hilltop villages, Mediterranean ports, Cathar castles, historic churches and abbeys, and the majestic Pyrenees mountains. The Canal du Midi, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs just a short walk from the town. Carcassonne is the capital of the Aude département, also known as "Le Pays Cathare" or Cathar Country.

The Carcassonne train station, also known as the Gare de Carcassonne, is located in the city of Carcassonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. The train station is served by the SNCF (French National Railway Corporation) and offers regular services to destinations such as Toulouse, Narbonne, and Paris. The station has a ticket office, as well as a self-service ticket machines, left luggage office, and waiting room. The station is located a short distance from the city's medieval fortress, La Cité de Carcassonne, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction.

The Canal du Midi is a 240-kilometer (150-mile) long canal that runs through Southern France, connecting Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea. It was built in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet and is considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time. The canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered an important cultural and historical landmark. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea via the Garonne River, the Étang de Thau and the Aude River. The Canal du Midi is used for pleasure boating and is a popular tourist destination for boating and cycling, and also for hiking along its towpaths. Along the canal, there are many charming towns and villages, as well as locks, aqueducts, and other engineering marvels that can be visited.

The stunning medieval walled city of Carcassonne and the renowned Canal du Midi are set amidst unspoiled landscapes, where vineyards mingle with fields of sunflowers and fruit trees, all under the gaze of the snow-capped Pyrenees. The region is steeped in the magic and mystery of Cathar castles, Roman ruins, and medieval monasteries. But beyond history, there’s a wealth of outdoor adventures, from white-water rafting and thermal spas to pony trekking, fishing, golf, skiing, and more.

Languedoc-Roussillon, France’s oldest, largest, and most dynamic wine-producing region, attracts investors and renowned vignerons from around the world. Wine production in the area dates back over 3,000 years, with the Greeks, Romans, and monks all contributing to its rich winemaking heritage. At the heart of this tradition lies the legacy of a 16th-century Benedictine monastery in Limoux, where the monks were the first to create sparkling wine. To this day, the unique Blanquette de Limoux is produced exclusively around the Abbey of Saint Hilaire.

Carcassonne Airport, officially known as Carcassonne Salvaza Airport, is a regional airport located in the city of Carcassonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. The airport is located about 5 km (3 miles) west of the city center and it serves mainly domestic and European destinations. It's a small airport but well-equipped with modern facilities. It offers daily flights to major cities in France, as well as seasonal flights to destinations in other European countries. The airport has a terminal building with a range of facilities, including a café, a duty-free shop, and a car rental service. It also offers parking facilities. Passengers can also use the bus service or taxi to reach the city center.