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THE 10 BEST Carcassonne Tours & Excursions

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1. Private guided tour of the city of Carcassonne

2. Day Trip to Carcassonne Cite Medievale and Comtale Castle Tour from Toulouse

3. Guided tour of the City of Carcassonne (on foot)

4. Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour

5. Wine Discovery Tasting In Carcassonne

6. Languedoc Vineyard Tours

7. Private Tour with a Knight

8. Carcassonne During World War 2

9. Winery Visit with Food and Wine in Carcassonne

10. A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica

11. Walking guided tour Carcassonne

12. Cité de Carcassonne and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Toulouse

13. Day tour to Toulouse and the Canal du Midi. Private tour from Carcassonne.

14. Day Tour to Mirepoix, Montségur, Camon. Private tour from Carcassonne

15. Complete Private Tour City and Castle of Carcassonne

16. Winery Tour & Wine Tasting - Deli Plate & 3 Wines

17. Cité de Carcassonne Guided Walking tour. Private tour.

18. Day Tour to Lagrasse village and Fontfroide Abbey.Private tour from Carcassonne.

19. Private day tour to Narbonne, Gruissan and Lagrasse village. From Carcassonne.

20. Carcassonne Ghosts of the Citadel Quest Experience

21. Excursion From Port Séte to the medieval city of Carcassonne

22. Half day wine tour. Private tour from Carcassonne and around.

23. One Night Stay, Wine Tour, Wine and Dine for Two guests

24. PARRADISE VALLEY 1/2 day from 08:30AM till 13:00

25. Private 2-hour Walking Tour of Carcassone with official tour guide

26. Cité de Carcassonne and Canal du Midi Private Half Day Tour from Toulouse

27. Best of Cathar Country: Full-Day Private Tour.

28. Small group tour of the Cité de Carcassonne

29. Carcassonne and Albi Private Sightseeing Tour from Toulouse

30. Carcassonne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour

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Carcassonne Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Carcassonne. We've got 85 adventures going to Carcassonne, starting from just 4 days in length, and the longest tour is 36 days. The most popular month to go is September, which has the largest number of tour departures.

85 Carcassonne tour packages with 1,570 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

Paris, Lourdes and Barcelona

Was great. We really enjoyed the trip.

Cycling in France - Canals and Castles of the Midi

Good value. Beautiful places to visit. Excellent guide.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing

Romantic France ( 9 days )

Grand Tour of France

We were able to cover so many places which would have taken us a really long time if we tried to do it by ourselves.

Barcelona to Rome

We were able to get into the best locally run restaurants and really get to experience life like a local.

• Food & Culinary

A Taste of Southern France - Bordeaux to Toulouse

Best of France (13 Days)

Fantastic and Martine was an amazing Tour Director

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Highlights of France (13 Days)

Some of the hotels were not ideal, deep baths with shower over which for an older age group is not safe.

Country Roads of France (Classic, 16 Days)

Enough is enough.

Bicycling Provence to the Pyrenees Plus!

• Christmas & New Year

15 Days in Paris, Caen, Rocamadour and Burdeaux.

Highlights of France and Barcelona (End Barcelona, 10 Days)

be my guest, cabaret, flamenco, great hotels and places!

French Rendez-vous

Magical Barcelona, France & Italy -12 Days (Small Group)

French Heritage (Classic, 22 Days)

What people love about carcassonne tours.

We really enjoyed the tour and will recommand to others! only thing I want to mention is about "Pedro" one of tour guides, he did not behave well and making cheap jokes and cross the boundaries.... but wereally enjoyed the tour, everyone else are great! its one of m unforgetable trips!

l Little bit of rain, but didn't affect the trip at all Tour guide Mike was excellent Ray Pfeiffer

Top operators

"Wonderful guided hikes, all different and amazing views. Tourradar really surpassed all my expectations. From a wonderful hotel - stayed at Richemond Hotel, in the centre of town to the amazing prepared lunches and restaurant dinners to our wonderful and knowledgeable guide Nichole. Thank you Nicole for your energy, patience, calmness, and expertise both up and down each mountain adventure. You made our trip a wonderful

Intrepid Travel is an expert in:

"Times and meet up need to be prepared better. Especially when sending out the itinerary. I didn’t get information until I got an email to download the app a couple days prior.

Europamundo is an expert in:

"Everything went so smoothly! Even a little rain couldn't damped our experience. Our tour guides were phenomenal! Best of all was the Hotel Bassano and their staff, Friendly, clean, accommodating and the morning breakfast fresh and a great way to start our day in Paris!

Flag Travel Holidays is an expert in:

• to Europe (1)
• France Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
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Carcassonne tours

Hilltop views, numerous watchtowers and bridges featuring graceful arches—uncover this amazing medieval fortified town on our trips to Carcassonne.

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Carcassonne

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• Carcassonne Castle and Ramparts Ticket 10.00 04/15/2023 Reg United Kingdom I travelled with my partner

5 excursions and activities in Carcassonne

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Tours of Carcassonne - fortress ADT Aude

Self-Drive Carcassonne Tours

Tours of carcassonne: a medieval city.

Our self-drive tours in Carcassonne explore the most impressive fortified medieval town in Europe. It is just an hour’s drive east from Toulouse in the southern France. This beautiful city is the perfect place for a stopover between the Southwest and the Southeast of France. Carcassonne is also the  gateway to Spain  with Barcelona just one incredibly scenic TGV ride away.

Historically, the medieval city of Carcassonne is one of France’s most important cities. It is situated at the epicenter of numerous historical trade routes. The city has been occupied for over 5,000 years and has been a cultural hub for the past 2,500. In the middle of the 19th century Carcassonne was in such bad repair that it became scheduled for demolition. Fortunately it was saved by the efforts of the local mayor.

We are experienced travelers world-wide, generally organizing our own itinerary or having a travel group help us with a tour-for-two, and a personal guide, in several select …

We are experienced travelers world-wide, generally organizing our own itinerary or having a travel group help us with a tour-for-two, and a personal guide, in several select locations. This was our first visit to France. So to be on our own with the guidance and extremely comprehensive written support of France Just For You was just remarkable and very reassuring. We felt completely confident during our 26 day tour from Nice to Paris, and we were astounded by the range of experiences offered to us. The accommodation choices were lovely, and all of our hosts were extremely gracious. Do keep in mind that we are a long married couple, and a self-driving tour of this magnitude and length could be trying at times. But we are here to tell the tale. Highly recommended, and many accolades to France Just For You. With thanks,

Our Self-Guided Tours in Carcassonne

Jump into the middle ages in Europe largest fortified city !

Half timbered houses in the Loire Valley Half timbered houses in the Loire Valley

Castles, Caves & Coves

Explore French culture and history in three of its most representative regions: the Loire Valley, Dordogne and the Riviera, with a nice stop in Carcassonne.

Castelnaud medieval castle in Dordogne CDT Dordogne

Southern France during the Middle Ages

Experience medieval France in three of the richest heritage regions in the South of France.

Provence landscapes Benoit Dignac - ADT Avignon

Southern France from West to East

This unique self-drive itinerary will have you cross the South of France from its Western coast in the Basque Country to beautiful Provence, with its cicadas and lavender fields.

Traditional costumes from the Basque Country OT Hendaye

Focus on the South West of France

From the Unesco city of Bordeaux and the surrounding world-famous vineyards, to the mythical beach towns of Biarritz and St Jean de Lu z, feeling the fresh air of the Pyrenees foothills, and ending in the mysterious medieval town of Carcassonne . . . what a program!

Martel covered market Cochise - OT Vallée de la Dordogne

Traditions & Heritage of the SW of France

This loop from Bordeaux will take you on a journey to the South West of France: vineyards, mountains, cliff-hanging fortresses and rolling hills. You will enjoy all the diversity of this unique part of France.

Vigens Rock - Rocher de la Vierge in the Basque Coastline Emmy Martens

From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean

From the rugged Atlantic coast to the azur-colored Mediterranean Sea – experience the diversity of the South of France.

Castelnaud castle and the Dordogne river Sarlat TO

A Genuine Trip to the South West of France

Explore the South West of France: fortresses clinging to the cliffs in the Cathar Country and Dordogne, many “most beautiful villages of France”, and a very rich and unique gastronomy. This is where to experience the authentic France.

france itinerary 4 weeks CRT Bouches du Rhone

Self-Driving around France - from Paris to Nice

Spend about a month traveling from Paris to Nice on the French Riviera and get a real feel for the authentic France!

Surfers in the Basque Country Emmy Martens - Biarritz Tourist Office

Southern France from Bordeaux to Avignon

When the South of France is mentionned, many travelers think of Provence. But there is so much more to discover between the South-West and the South-East of France. This 26 day itinerary is designed to give you a very complete tour of the southern part of France, enjoying the gastronomy, heritage, wine, villages, and scenic roads . . . the best that France has to offer.

H ow to Get to Carcassonne

If you are coming from abroad, getting to the medieval city of Carcassonne can be a challenge (unless you are coming from Barcelona, in which case you can just get the TGV train). If you are coming from within France then the city is accessible by train or by car.

The closest airport to Carcassonne is Toulouse so this will be the most convenient international airport to fly into. From the airport, you can hop on the 45-minute train from Toulouse Matabiau station to Carcassonne. Alternatively, you can hire a car and drive from Toulouse to Carcassonne, which takes around an hour.

Our self drive tours in Carcassonne are also a great option if you are traveling between the Dordogne and Provence , as Carcassonne is an excellent stopover. Situated almost exactly midway between the two, travellers can spend a day or two in the medieval city of Carcassonne before continuing their journey.

The medieval city of Carcassonne -   ©Paul Palau

The C athar Country

Sitting at the foot of the dramatic Pyrenees Mountains, not far from the Spanish border, is Cathar Country. Cathar Country , or  Pays Cathare , is the region where Cathar history and heritage was most prominent. This area includes Montségur and Carcassonne. Cathar Country is not just famous for its history – it is one of France’s most picturesque regions. Bathed in sunlight, Cathar Country boasts medieval castles hidden behind rugged swathes of natural beauty. You are sure to be left breathless as you explore this part of France. Carcassonne tours also offer a romantic setting and we recommend it for wedding anniversary trips or romantic trips.

History of Carcassonne  & the Cathar Country

During the 12th century in the South of France, a Christian religion different from Catholicism developed: Catharism. This new belief was based on Christianity but was very critical of Catholicism and spread like wildfire through Occitania. To thwart this new religion, Pope Innocent III decided to start a crusade against the Albigeans. This point in history is responsible for some of the magnificent cliff-hanging fortresses found on the slopes of the Pyrenees.

Take the time while you are here to explore the Perpeytuse and Quéribus fortresses. Sitting atop their own respective mounds, these ruined Cathar castles are staggering in their size and are a must-see.

Quéribus Cathar cliff-hanging fortress -  ©Cucugan

Of course, if you’re really keen on fortresses then your first port of call should be the Carcassonne fortress, including Carcassonne castle and ramparts. This is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe and never fails to impress travelers visiting Carcassonne. We will include an interesting self-guided walking tour of Carcassonne in your Carcassonne itinerary. This will show you the most important parts of the fortress and share key facts about it. 

The earliest version of the fort dates back to around 500 BC. However, Carcassonne fortress has had a lot of work done since then. The city was most notably restored in 1853 by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, and later added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1997.

Day Trips from Carcassonne

Whilst in Carcassonne, we warmly recommend a day trip to Lourdes , which is less than 3 hours' drive away. Lourdes is one of the most popular Catholic sites on the planet. It receives around 6 million tourists and religious pilgrims every year.

Vineyards of the Minervois

If you're interested in Carcassonne vineyard tours, another fantastic day trip from the medieval city of Carcassonne is a visit to the  vineyards of the Minervois . Drive for an hour through beautiful rural France and reward yourself at the end with a glass of world-class wine. Just make sure you have someone else to drive you home!

If you are interested in history, visit the oldest man ever found in France at the Tautavel Museum of Prehistory .

On the way to Tautavel you could stop in at Narbonne and explore the city’s stunning old town.

The  Côte d’Argent 

One final day trip option is to head to  France’s Côte d’Argent  (Silver Coast). Here sand meets sea and the whole thing is drenched in sunlight. Be sure to check out the quaint towns of Collioure , Banyuls sur Mer and Port Vendres . To us, you'll find some of the nicest beaches in France .

Collioure on the Côte d'Argent 

Where to Stay in Carcassonne

The great thing about Carcassonne is that it is just as impressive by night as it is by day. For this reason, we have selected accommodation along the walls of the medieval fortress for travelers on our Carcassonne tours. Here you are perfectly positioned to make the most of the city. We always work with premium B&Bs - Chambres d'Hôtes  in French - but we only share their names with our travelers. This way they remain hidden gems!

If you would rather stay in the countryside, we have a range of properties along the Canal du Midi.  This option offers guests ultimate tranquility and the chance to do some wine tasting with their host.

During the Carcassonne Festival in July month, the city gets really busy and lively.

It is impossible not to fall in love with Carcassonne’s medieval charm. Travel back centuries with every step you take and witness the history that reveals itself around every corner. Our self guided tour of Carcassonne will allow you to enjoy the best of this region at your own pace. 

FAQs about Carcassonne

When you're visiting Carcassonne, be sure to try cassoulet, a rich, delicious, slow-cooked stew. Foie gras is also popular, as well as foies secs (pork liver). You can also enjoy some very fine wine from the vineyards of the Minervois.

On our Carcassonne tours, we normally have our travelers spend 2-3 nights in the medieval city of Carcassonne. This gives you enough time to explore the walled city of Carcassonne, and some of the gorgeous surrounding countryside and places of interest, including the Cathar Country.

Some scenes from Robin Hood included the walls and towers of the medieval city of Carcassonne for the portrayal of Nottingham and its castle.

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France just for you was fantastic. We provided a list of places we like to see, they customized our trips with great suggestions. They Provided Car, places to stay, a 2 book itinerary with wonderful suggestions, great Bed and Breakfast and small hotel (very romantic) , assistance when ever we accidentally called their number. We requested guides at …

France just for you was fantastic. We provided a list of places we like to see, they customized our trips with great suggestions. They Provided Car, places to stay, a 2 book itinerary with wonderful suggestions, great Bed and Breakfast and small hotel (very romantic) , assistance when ever we accidentally called their number. We requested guides at several locations and the guides were outstanding. The books were fantastic, coordinates on everything make it easy to find parking in difficult places. Tips on driving, language, places to eat, places to see, Every evening we would use the book to plan our next day a life and time saver. It even had routes to walk through village centers. First time in France and the trip was very relaxing and enjoyable. Emily attention to the little things was amazing. Emily put together a package that had the museum passes, bike rentals, car rentals, canoe rentals, brochures on each location we visited. The trip was a very romantic trip for my wife and I. I came back with an appreciation for France, its culture and people. I am a happy customer thanks to France Just For You.

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A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque France, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and Champagne. This was a big trip for us and it was everything I’d hoped and dreamed and even more besides. All our accommodation was delightful - all different and all with unique character and a personal touch. All our hosts and guides were fantastic and we so enjoyed our time with them. Everything was so meticulously planned, so well-organised, and presented clearly with a wealth of information and practical tips for suggested activities each day to make to most of our stay in each region. Restaurant recommendations were particularly helpful. The FJFY app is outstanding! We very much hope to travel with FJFY again. Thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail in making such a wonderful trip for us.

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This was our second trip arranged by France Just for You. That says a lot. What says more is we would do another trip with them without any concern. They are pros from the time the trip is planned to the very last minute of the journey. Every detail is provided through the travel book, app and communication, if needed, during the trip. We would highly recommend France Just For You!! Many thanks.

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Carcassonne (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Carcassonne (France)

The astounding walls of Carcassonne’s citadel protected the city for centuries and were left to decay, before getting a full restoration by the 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Never mind that his work might not be the most historically accurate, they’re an architectural wonder all the same and draw visitors to the city from far and wide.

After discovering every niche, passageway and parapet you can navigate the streets of the hilltop settlement or venture into the less touristy Lower City for lunch or a shopping trip. Within minutes of Carcassonne you can also get to vineyards, wine caves, ruined castles and the soothing green banks of the Canal du Midi.

Lets explore the best things to do in Carcassonne :

1. La Cité de Carcassonne

First we’ll deal with what’s inside the walls. The streets within the citadel are a Disney-esque dreamland of passageways and winding alleys.

There’s an engaging lack of symmetry to the old stone buildings, some with exposed timbers and others clad with ivy.

It will be an effort not to walk around with your camera glued to your face.

The ideal time to come is early, before the tourist hordes and lunch time.

Most of the restaurants and crêperies are geared towards day-trippers anyway, and this labyrinth of streets is at its best when semi-deserted.

2. Château Comtal and Ramparts

From above or below, on the ramparts or inside the walls, Carcassonne’s double line of fortifications are a marvel.

The insurmountable walls and 52 towers are deservedly the centre of attention and go on for three kilometres around the old upper city.

You can enter the Château Comtal for a tour, and with an audio-guide you should expect to lose two awe-filled and informative hours finding out about how the walls were built in the 15th century and how they were restored in the 1800s by Viollet-le-Duc.

You can do the full walk along the battlements, and between the walls there are even jousting shows for families to watch in summer.

3. Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus

This church was built over several hundred years from the 800s to  the 1300s and what makes it rare is the way romanesque and gothic design coexist so comfortably.

The sense of harmony is easy to see in the church’s interior, which escaped Viollet-le-Duc’s intervention and boasts romanesque sculpture, stonework and stained glass windows side by side.

In the choir, the long central stained glass window is from 1280, and so one of the oldest outside northern France.

4. Carcassonne Lower City

Known as the Bastide de Saint-Louis, this area of Carcassonne was built outside the walls in the 13th century on the orders of Louis IX (known as Saint Louis). There’s a completely different ambience to La Cité, which is down to the regular grid street-plan, high street shops, the usual French amenities and almost total absence of tourists.

Place Carnot is a handy place to begin your brief jaunt through this area: There are restaurant tables spilling onto the square, and the Fountain of Neptune in the centre dates to 1770.

5. Carcassonne Cathedral

Less acclaimed than the Basilica, Carcassonne’s current cathedral was a simple parish church in the Lower City until the Episcopal seat was switched at the turn of the 19th-century.

But it’s worth calling in, as it was built in the 13th century and is a satisfying piece of southern gothic architecture, with an octagonal bell-tower and a beautiful rose window.

It suffered damage in the 100 Years’ War, and was rebuilt with fortifications, as you can tell from the loopholes on the tower.

Viollet-le-Duc was involved in restoration works in the 1800s, and it was his first project in Carcassonne before he moved on to the fortifications.

6. Lac de la Cavayère

Twenty minutes by car or bus from the city is a lake formed by a dam built in 1988. There’s 40 hectares of water and pine woodland, with three small beaches, a grassy area and all sorts of things for kids to do in summer: You can hire pedalos and play mini-golf, while kids have an inflatable playground to scramble over on the lake.

Motorised craft are banned on the waters, which keeps things peaceful, and you can take gentle walks in the forested hills and have family picnics on the benches beneath the pines.

7. Musée des Beaux-Arts

Carcassonne’s fine art museum was established in 1836, and nearly 200 years and many donations later it provides you with an enlightening journey through French art from the 1600s to the 1900s.

One of the museum’s eight galleries is also dedicated to Flemish and Dutch art from the 1600s.

Among the names that even philistines like us will recognise are Brueghel the Elder, Mattia Preti, Jan van Goyen, Jacob Jordaens  and Gustave Courbet.

Room Five has a display of 19th-century French ceramics and there’s also a telescope used by Napoleon after departing Elba in 1815.

8. Châteaux de Lastours

The hills of the Aude department are peppered with the eerie vestiges of medieval castles that belonged to noblemen loyal to the Cathar sect.

During the Albigensian Crusade the sect was violently suppressed by the French Catholics, and many of these strongholds turned to rubble.

The four castles in Lastours, Cabaret, Tour Régine, Quertinheux and Surdespine, were sacked during the crusade and later repurposed as fortresses.

They are part of the same complex, but are all different structures with courtyards, arcades, towers with loopholes, murder holes and spiral staircases, as well as the ruins of a church.

The location is sumptuous, high on a rocky spur in the Black Mountains.

And the many little flourishes and surprises contribute to a fulfilling hour or two of discovery.

9. Canal du Midi – barge trip

The exceptional work of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Canal du Midi was dug in the 17th century, and helped connect the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.

It passes through Carcassonne just north of the Lower Town.

The leg between this city and the Mediterranean town of Sète is touted as the most picturesque of all.

Obviously you needn’t go that far; just outside Carcassonne you can amble east along the tow path for a few miles, as the plane trees meet above the water to form a green tunnel.

There are guided boat tours with Carcassonne Cruises, pointing out the historic locks and bridges.

10. School Museum

In a former school in the old city is this unassuming museum capturing school life in France between the 1880s and 1960s.

You have five rooms to navigate, each with furniture and vintage teaching paraphernalia, like desks, slates, blackboards and lecterns.

The collection of old projectors may bring back memories, as will the schoolyard, with hopscotch and other playground games painted on the ground.

The museum also has old-time dip pens, which kids can try out to see how easy they’ve got it now.

11. Museum of the Inquisition

Not to be taken too seriously, this attraction will kill a few minutes and kids aged around 10 to 14 will probably get a kick out of it, though it’s definitely not for younger minds.

With the help of some sad-looking mannequins the museum exposes the eye-wateringly inventive methods and tools used for torture from medieval times up to the Revolution.

There’s an emphasis on the Catholic inquisition of the Cathars in the 13th century, and most of the exhibits are reproductions.

12. Caunes-Minervois

The Black Mountains rear up behind the pretty village of Caunes-Minervois, 20 minutes north of Carcassonne.

The surroundings are heart-achingly idyllic, with rustic stone walls, Minervois vineyards, orchards and olive groves.

The medieval village is built around an abbey founded in the 700s, and historic quarries that provided the pink marble for  the Louvre and Trianon Palace at Versailles.

The abbey is also replete with this stone:  One of the most cherished parts of the building is the apse, which is from the 1000s and epitomises the modest romanesque style.

13. Cuisine

If you’re a meat-eater, and particularly fond of poultry and game, the Carcassone diet will suit you well.

Duck and goose confit are famous specialities, as is Spanish-style cured ham.

But Cassoulet is southwestern France’s most beloved dish, a casserole with white haricot beans, sausage and duck or goose confit.

But Carcassonne has its own version of cassoulet, adding partridge meat to the stew.

More adventurous palates could try Languedoc-style snails, in which their cooked in their shells with onions, ham, tomato and parsley.

In Carcassonne you’re in the centre of the world’s largest wine region.

Not only that, but you’ve got easy access to some of the best AOCs within Languedoc.

Minutes north and east is Minervois, producing mostly reds from a blend of Bordeaux, Mediterranean and Rhône grapes.

South of Carcassonne is the upland Limoux region, famed as the place where sparkling wine was first produced in the 1500s.

Blanquette méthode ancestrale, Crémant de Limoux Blanquette de Limoux are all sparkling whites to discover.

Like champagne, the bubbles are created with secondary fermentation in the bottle, but the flavour is distinct, with fresh, apple notes.

15. Narbonne

Narbonne is east of Carcassonne and reachable in about 45 minutes.

In Roman Gaul “Narbo” was a vital port on the Aude river, but among the many misfortunes that befell the city in the coming centuries was that Aude changing course and the harbour silting up.

The medieval centre is a treat though, with one-of-a-kind monuments like the unfinished cathedral.

It’s symbolic of the fate of the city throughout the middle ages, as work was halted due to an economic downturn in the 1300s, so there’s no nave.

Also marvellous is the Archbishop’s Palace, a gothic complex mostly from the 1400s and containing the city wall as well as museums for Narbonne’s history and archaeology.

15 Best Things to Do in Carcassonne (France):

• La Cité de Carcassonne
• Château Comtal and Ramparts
• Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus
• Carcassonne Lower City
• Carcassonne Cathedral
• Lac de la Cavayère
• Musée des Beaux-Arts
• Châteaux de Lastours
• Canal du Midi - barge trip
• School Museum
• Museum of the Inquisition
• Caunes-Minervois

Traveling to Carcassonne

France's Fortified Medieval City Carcassonne

Katie Garrod/Getty Images

Carcassonne is an extraordinary place, a perfect medieval city with its massive fortifications dominating the surrounding countryside. Seen from afar it seems straight out of a fairy-tale. Inside, it’s even more impressive. Carcassonne is best known for having an entire city that is a castle. La Cité is double walled, with grassy lices (translated as lists) between the walls you can stroll along. From the massive ramparts, you look down to the lower cité ( ville basse ).

Carcassonne is one of France's top tourist destinations, drawing an average of three million visitors yearly. Some people describe it as a tourist-trap and there are some shops hawking tacky souvenirs, but despite the crowds, Carcassonne is an enchanting place to visit. So it’s no surprise that it has two UNESCO World Heritage Site listings.

Getting to Carcassonne

By Plane: You can fly into Carcassonne's airport ( Aéroport Sud de France Carcassonne ), although if you are departing from the U.S., count on a layover somewhere in Europe or Paris. Ryanair operates cheap flights from the UK to Carcassonne. Once you arrive, a shuttle service to the city center leaves the airport 25 minutes after the arrival of each flight. The cost is 5€ which also gives you one hour’s use of the entire transport system of the city.

By Train: The station is in the lower town and there are regular trains from Arles, Beziers, Bordeaux , Marseille , Montpellier , Narbonne, Nîmes , Quillan and Toulouse. Carcassonne is right on the main Toulouse-Montpellier train route.

Getting around Carcassonne

For short journeys in Carcassonne city center, the bus company Agglo runs a free service. There is a tourist train shuttle (2€ single journey – 3€ day return) between La Cité and Bastide St Louis.

There isn't really a bad time to visit since the weather here is quite temperate year-round, so select a season based on your own tastes. In winter, many of the city's attractions are closed or run on limited hours. Spring and fall can be ideal. The summer months have most events but Carcassonne will also be packed with tourists at that time of year.

A Little History

Carcassonne has a long history stretching back to the 6 th century BC. It became a Roman city then was ruled by the Saracens before they were driven out by the French in the 10th century. The city’s prosperity began when the Trencavel family ruled Carcassonne from 1082 for around 130 years. In the middle of what is known as Cathar country after the heretical movement which challenged the Catholic church, Roger de Trencavel offered a haven to the rebels. In 1208 when the Cathars were declared heretics, Simon de Montfort led the Crusade and in 1209 captured the city before turning his attention to the rest of the anti-catholics. The movement was crushed with appalling cruelty, the last stronghold of Montégur falling in 1244.

In 1240 the people of Carcassonne tried to reinstate the Trencavels but the French King Louis IX was having none of it and as a punishment, he expelled them from the Cité. In time the citizens built a new city – the Bastide St Louis outside the main walls. The takeover by the French Kings of La Cité brought new buildings and it became a powerful place until the late 17 th century when it fell into decay. This was the poor part of a city rich from the wine trade and cloth manufacturing. It was rescued from ruin by the architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1844, so what you see today is a restoration though it is so well done you feel right in the heart of a medieval city. 

Top Attractions

La Cité may be small, but there’s a lot to see.

• You can walk through the lices , but you have to take a guided tour to walk along the ramparts and see the Château Comtal, the palace of the viscounts of Carcassonne. 
• The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire is another must-see site with both Romanesque and Gothic architecture and some beautiful stained glass.
• The Bastide St-Louis is in the lower town on the banks of the River Aude. It was built in 1260 and follows a rectangular plan around the central Place Carnot. Just wander along the boulevards full of 8th and 19th-century mansions.
• Walk past the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Santé which is the only surviving trace of the city’s oldest hospital onto the pedestrian-only Pont Vieux. Until the 14 th century, this was the only link between the Bastide St Louis and the old city.

Outside the City

Carcassonne is in the middle of spectacular countryside, so it’s worth hiring a car to take side trips. If you’re interested in the fate of the Cathars, take a walk around Montségur.

• Montsegur  is the site of the biggest stand the Cathars made against the Crusaders during the Middle Ages. Make the grueling climb to the ruins of their castle stronghold, where they held off 10,000 Crusaders for months. When they were finally conquered, many of the Cathars chose to march into the flames rather than convert.
• This is also the heart of the Languedoc  wine country  so check out some of the vineyards you can visit at the Tourist Office in Carcassonne.
• Don't miss  Limoux , a village just south of the city. This is the home to the annual Carnivale from January through March and is also a thriving wine-making community. They even claim to have been the true inventors of sparkling wine, and that Dom Perignon stole the idea.
• Rennes le Chateau  is a very creepy little village where the Baron Sauniere, at the turn of the 20th century, erected a church and other religious structures. There are many rumors about the Baron's work, including allegations that Mary Magdalene stayed there after the crucifixion and that the Holy Grail is hidden there.

Where to Stay in Carcassonne

The Hotel Le Donjon is a wonderful stay for the price. When you enter, the dim lighting and deep red decor take you into what feels like a medieval castle. It also has a wonderful location inside La Cite.

If you have the money, stay at the four-star, luxurious Hotel de la Cite, with its own gardens and well-situated in La Cite next to the Basilica.

Edited by Mary Anne Evans .

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Visit Carcassonne – Walking tour in the city and ramparts visit + map

On vacation or road trip in the Aude , you want to visit Carcassonne but you wonder:

• How long to visit the City?

How to visit the City of Carcassonne?

How to visit the ramparts of carcassonne.

So here is my walking tour in the medieval city (with route map) and the plan to visit the ramparts of Carcassonne .

Visit Carcassonne in 1 day

The City of Carcassonne is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and listed among the Great Sites of occ i cheap . It is one of the largest fortified cities in Europe, in particular for its 3 km long double enclosure and its 52 towers. It includes the Saint-Nazaire Basilica, the Comtal castle, museums, shops and good restaurants.

To make the most of the medieval city and its ramparts, it is better to arrive when it opens and plan the whole day .

Indeed, this site is an immense medieval architectural ensemble which can be visited in 3 stages:

• Le Carcassonne Castle  which dates from the 1000th century and testifies to 2600 years of military architecture and XNUMX years of history;
• The walls that surround the City of Carcassonne;
• La Cité de Carcassonne which is the old town inside the ramparts.

How to visit Carcassonne?

To start, I recommend that you park in the car park which is 400 m from the Medieval City opposite the main entrance of the Porte Narbonnaise. See its Google Maps location: City park car park

Then the best is:

• to enter the City by the Porte Narbonnaise (free entry),
• to go directly to visit the Château de Comtal (entrance fee, see skip-the-line castle + ramparts ticket ),
• then visit the ramparts (entrance included in the castle's skip-the-line ticket),
• and finish with the free visit of Cité de Carcassonne (medieval town) following my walking tour (see below).

Map of the City of Carcassonne

Ask for the tourist plan directly at the Office of Tourism which is inside the city.

Otherwise, here is the plan of the city of Carcassonne that there is in this brochure which you can download:

• Saint-Martial Bastion, Calvary Garden Bastion, Montmorency
• Chapel of the Carmelites from the XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries
• Saint-Vincent church and its bell tower (14th and 15th century)
• The Fountain of Neptune
• Hotel Roux d'Alzonne (from 16 rd the 18 rd century)
• Les Halles (17-19 rd century)
• House of Memories and the Joë Bousquet bedroom (XNUMXth – XNUMXth century)
• Museum of Fine Arts (XNUMXth – XNUMXth century)
• Hôtel de Rolland (XNUMXth century)
• Saint-Michel Cathedral (XNUMXth-XNUMXth century)
• The Jacobins portal (18th century)
• Chapel of Our Lady of Health (XNUMXth-XNUMXth century)
• The Old Bridge (XNUMXth century)
• The Royal Manufacture (14th century)
• The Castle (XNUMXth and XNUMXth century) and the ramparts
• The Saint-Nazaire basilica (XIth-XIVth-XIXth century)
• The lists (XNUMXth century) and outer rampart
• The Aude gate (14th century)
• Saint-Gimer church (19th century)
• City Theater and its Festival
• School Museum

Inquisition Museum

• The Big and the Little Well
• The Narbonnaise Gate + the Drawbridge (13th century)
• Treasure Museum of Notre Dame de l'Abbaye
• Cultural Center of Combatant Memory
• Tour du Trésau and remains of the Gallo-Roman rampart

Because you don't come to Carcassonne just to visit the Château Comtal, here are the stages of my tour that allow you to visit the other unmissable sites of the medieval city:

Bust of Dame Carcas

Porte narbonnaise and its drawbridge, count's castle, maison hantée.

• Grand Well Square

Basilica of Saint-Nazaire

Itinerary map to visit the city of carcassonne.

To help you, here is the Google Maps map of my circuit which allows you to visit the tourist sites inside the Cité de Carcassonne on foot.

By clicking on "More options", you can switch to pedestrian GPS mode.

Stages of the Cité de Carcassonne tourist circuit

Here is some historical information on the essential visits to the Cité de Carcassonne:

The Bust of Dame Carcas is the statue facing the entrance to the city. If you want to know the legend, click on this link sound that quickly tells you the false story of Dame Carcas.

In truth, this statue represents a woman of Saracen origin of whom we do not know much but who symbolizes the resistance of the city.

The Narbonnaise gate with its two beautiful towers is the main entrance to the City of Carcassonne which is done by crossing its Drawbridge. It is said to have been built around 1280. It was much later, in 1860, that Viollet-le-Duc reconstructed the battlements and the slate roof and built the drawbridge.

This fortress was built in the 12th century by the Trencavels, Viscounts of Carcassonne.

It includes the Romanesque chapel of the bastion, the matacans (galleries from which projectiles and other weapons were thrown to repel enemies) and the barbican (main entrance to the defensive enclosure above the moat). You will also discover the inner ramparts of the City, the Cours d'Honneur and the Cours du Midi, the hoardings, the walkway and the dungeon. Your ticket also allows you to visit a lapidary museum and an exhibition on the history of the medieval city and its restoration.

If you like to scare yourself, here is a fun attraction: The haunted house of Carcassonne. It is located very close to the Château Comtal, in an old house with around fifteen rooms fitted out to surprise you…

Great Well of Carcassonne

It is the oldest well in the medieval city, which has 22 in total. Its two large columns are in the Renaissance style, while its outline dates from the 14th century.

The legend says that the Visigoths, who were afraid of the arrival of Atilla, hid in this well the treasure of the Temple of Solomon.

Much more serious, in the Museum of the Inquisition, you will discover the history of the Cathar era, the judgments, the executions and the tortures made to the presumed Cathars who were accused of witchcraft and treated as heretics.

Located near the Château Comtal, this gate faces the Aude river, whose name it bears. It is the second gateway to the City of Carcassonne. With its medieval style, it served as a backdrop for film scenes (Les Visiteurs, Robin des Bois, Prince of Thieves, Le Corniaud).

A former cathedral, the Saint Nazaire basilica is the “Jewel of the City”. Romanesque and Gothic in style, its stained glass windows are reputed to be among the most beautiful in Occitania.

Small Well of Carcassonne

After the Big Well, here is the little one! It is a well from the 14th century, dug into the rock at a depth of 21 meters.

The ramparts of Carcassonne measure 3 kilometers and have 2 fortified enclosures, 4 gates, 52 towers and barbicans. You can visit them by 2 interior circuits (with your castle + ramparts ticket):

• The northern Gallo-Roman rampart and its round towers with a view of the Montagne Noire (exit via the Porte Narbonnaise);
• The western medieval rampart: Square tower of the bishop, Tower of the Inquisition, restorations by Viollet-le-Duc with a view of the Saint Nazaire basilica, the theater and the Pyrenees (exit by Saint-Nazaire tower).

But you can also go around the city by the low lists (outer rampart which dates from the 13th century). The lower rails connect the Château Comtal to the Tour du Trésau.

Between the two ramparts, you can walk to discover the different characters of military architecture, with beautiful viewpoints.

Map of the ramparts of Carcassonne

The educational site of the Center des Monuments Nationaux has published a brochure very useful. We find there in particular the plan of the ramparts of Carcassonne:

Visit Carcassonne – The Old Bridge

To end your day of visit, I recommend that you leave the medieval city to go to the Pont Vieux. It is the bridge that connects the city to the lower town. It is above all the best spot to take beautiful photos of the City as a whole.

History of the City of Carcassonne

Carcassonne has origins that go back to the  Gallo-Roman period which I will not develop here. Indeed, it is the medieval city that interests us! To discover it, I invite you to click on the article of the Office of Tourism who summed it up nicely.

Where to stay to visit Carcassonne?

Here is a very nice hotel with an ideal location in the heart of the medieval city. This is probably the best hotel for visiting the medieval city and enjoying its charm and unique atmosphere.

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2 thoughts on “Visiting Carcassonne – Walking tour of the city and visit to the ramparts + map”

Congratulations for your site ! There is everything you need to know, without excess and easy to read. It's airy, well illustrated. The advice is super useful and the plans are well drawn and easy to read. Thank you so much ! You helped me prepare my visit to the medieval city of Carcassonne

Thank you for this very positive comment. Good afternoon !

REMPARTS ET LUMIÈRES

FROM 15 JULY TO 8 SEPTEMBER 2024

2024 EDITION : In the Footsteps of a Visionary

Duration of the visit: about 45 minutes / 1 hour

The new night-time tour of the ramparts and castle of Carcassonne is an extraordinary journey through the history and legends of the medieval city.

As soon as the sun goes down, follow in the footsteps of the eminent Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the architect who restored the City, from the Narbonnaise Gate to the courtyard of honor of the Count’s castle (Château Comtal). Join him on an odyssey through the towers and ramparts of the City, where he dedicated nearly 35 years of his life.

Between a sound journey and a light show, REMPARTS ET LUMIÈRES is a unique immersive experience to discover at nightfall the fortifications classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

Follow the lights and discover the mysteries of the stones of Carcassonne. Are you ready for a night-time adventure?

INFORMATION

Free for children under 7 years old.

* Discounted tickets apply, upon presentation of proof, to:     – Children, youth between 7 and 17 years old ;       – Visitor with a ticket for “Castle and ramparts of the City of Carcassonne” dating from the 2024 season     – COS Carcassonne Agglo card holder     – Disabled people and their companions (Please note that the tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility due to the many steps along the way).

Opening hours

The event takes place every evening at sunset from 21:15 (9:15 pm). Visits then start every 5 minutes according to the time slot booked.

Duration of the visit: about  45 minutes  /  1 hour

We advise you to book your visit to avoid a sold out entrance.

Note : Throughout the summer, the opening hours vary according to the sunset. On the “Tickets” tab, choose the desired date to see the different slots available.

The city of fifty-two towers has many secrets to reveal… The audio story is available in four languages:

About the tour

The tour you will take is 500 metres long. You can expect to spend between 45 minutes and 1 hour discovering all the mysteries of this adventure…

In order to fully enjoy the Remparts et Lumières experience, we advise you to wear good shoes as the visit takes place mainly outside, along the ramparts and its crenellated walkway with its many steps.

What happens in case of bad weather? Are pets allowed? Is there parking nearby? We answer all your practical questions in the F.A.Q.!

IN PICTURES

Privacy policy Terms & Conditions About us / Our partners

This experience is presented by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and produced by Orpheo

Welcome  to a world of fun & discovery

Love wine tasting  love chocolate   enjoy hearing historical stories of places you visit cocoa & grapes chocolate & wine tasting food tour of carcassonne is the tour for you., taste exquisite handmade chocolates and delicious local fine wines, hearing  the local knowledge behind them.  learn of the ancient and violent beginnings of chocolate, the mayan "food of the gods," and firsts in the world of wine, created right here in this dynamic and intriguing wine-growing region.     meander along the quaint streets of carcassonne's bastide saint-louis , while enjoying fascinating stories of carcassonne, france, and the surrounding area.  see why the architecture, history and local products of this region are a source of pride.   259  tripadvisor  five-star reviews, over 125  google  five-star reviews and ​over 7000 happy instagram  followers. explore, indulge and enjoy.

 “My only regret in life is that I didn't drink more wine.”

-Ernest Hemingway

Self Guided Walking Tour of Carcassonne France

Carcassonne is a beautiful city which is also home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of these is the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, which is the largest walled city in Europe. Carcassonne is a very walkable city containing many interesting sites to see along the way. This France travel blog contains a self guided walking tour of Carcassonne France so that you can enjoy the highlights of the city. It also includes recommended places to eat or get a drink along the way. The total walking time is just under one hour. However we recommend allowing a full day to enjoy this walking tour of Carcassonne.

In this Carcassonne travel guide we outline the major attractions of our Carcassonne free walking tour. This walking tour of Carcassonne Center covers the area from Carcassonne train station to the old city. There is a map as well as walking times and distances between each location at the end of the blog.

Plan your trip: Here are our Carcassonne France top recommendations: Activities : book your Carcassonne France Tours with Get Your Guide . Accommodation : we use Booking.com to find the best hotels. Transport : TrainLine for trains and FlixBus for intercity buses. Flights : find cheapest flights with cashback on WayAway . Airport Lounge Access : start your holiday the right way with Priority Pass . Travel Medical Insurance : SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is the ideal choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

Carcassonne France Walking Tour: Points of Interest

Place gambetta (square gambetta) carcassonne france.

About Place Gambetta Carcassonne France

Place Gambetta is a large open space with two rows of trees, garden beds, plenty of seating, food kiosks, toilet facilities as well as an underground parking underneath. It is just across the road from the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne.

Constructed in 1861, this square replaced the Place du Charbon (place of coal) as well as various surrounding buildings. It was then renamed Place Sainte-Cécile, after a saint that was popular in the area. Following the death of famous French lawyer and republican politician Léon Gambetta, it was renamed to Place Gambetta in 1883. Significantly, Léon Gambetta is considered the founder of the Third Republic in France.

During WWII Germany occupied Carcassonne and in 1944 they demolished much of the square. Unfortunately, following the demolition only two rows of trees remained. These trees are still present in the square today. Following the Liberation of the City in 1944, the garden was restored in French style. The restored garden was unveiled in 1948.

The latest redesign of the garden occurred in 2015.

Place Gambetta Carcassonne France Address

Square Gambetta, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Bimas, Carcassonne France

About pâtisserie chocolaterie bimas carcassonne france.

Pâtisserie Bimas is a French patisserie as well as a chocolate shop. Moreover it is full of mouth watering treats. The owner, Bruno Bimas is a pastry chef, chocolate maker, confectioner as well as ice cream maker. Bimas makes hand crafted creations using the finest products from all the French regions. Additionally, his chocolate comes from countries famed for their cacao production.

Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Bimas Address

7 Avenue Arthur Mullot, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Bimas Contact Details

Telephone: +33468252701

Website: https://www.patisserie-bimas-carcassonne.fr/

Place La Petite Cuillère Carcassonne France

About la petite cuillère carcassonne france.

La Petite Cuillère is a charming little cafe. It is located just across the Aude River in the shadow of the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne France. This cafe is a perfect place to stop for a snack during your free walking tour of Carcassonne. You can buy pastries as well as hot drinks here. They also serve breakfast and lunch. Be sure to try their deliciously thick hot chocolate for 3 euro.

La Petite Cuillère Carcassonne France Address

11 Rue Trivalle, 11000 Carcassonne, France

La Petite Cuillère Contact Details

Telephone: +33967480330

Website: https://www.facebook.com/lpcuillere/

Église Saint-Gimer Carcassonne France

About église saint-gimer carcassonne france.

Église Saint-Gimer is a beautiful gothic style church. It is located just outside the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Significantly, famed French architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet le Duc designed this church. He is the same architect that restored many prominent medieval landmarks in France, including the medieval walls of the city of Carcassonne as well as Notre-Dame in Paris. Viollet-le-Duc also worked on the engineering of the Statue of Liberty. This church was construction from 1849 to 1859.

Église Saint-Gimer Carcassonne France Address

Pl. Saint-Gimer, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Église Saint-Gimer Contact Details

Telephone: +33468102436

Porte de l’Aude Carcassonne France

About porte de l’aude carcassonne france.

The medieval gateway Porte de l’Aude is the entrance to the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Set up on the hill, it faces the Aude River.

In 2018 an artwork called Eccentric Concentric Circles was installed on Carcassonne. This artwork was part of the celebrations for the 20 th anniversary of the UNESCO heritage listing of the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Swiss artist Felice Varini installed giant, bright yellow concentric circles upon the walls of a historic French fortified city of Carcassonne. This was an anamorphic illusion, meaning that the shape of the circles is only apparent when viewing the artwork from in front of the Porte de l’Aude. The intention was for a temporary artwork that would not leave a permanent mark on the building. Yellow aluminium foil wrapped around the building to create the circles. However despite removing the foil, you can still see the form of the circles to this day.

Porte de l’Aude Carcassonne France Address

30 Côte de la Cité, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne France

About the historic fortified city of carcassonne france.

The UNESCO listed Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne is the largest walled city in Europe. Moreover it is the perfect example of a medieval fortified city. The city is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Aude River. In popular culture, the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was filmed here. It is also the inspiration for the board game Carcassonne.

The land that the city is built on has been occupied since the 6 th century BCE. It was a Roman city before becoming a medieval city. The inner castle has been on this site since the 12 th century and the fortress has been here since the 13 th century.

The Cathars built this fortress. They were an early Christian group that existed in this area between the 12 th and 14 th centuries. The Catholics persecuted the Cathars during the Crusades. Now, all that remains of the Cathars are their castles, such as the one at Carcassonne.

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne France Address

1 Rue Viollet le Duc, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Château Comtal Carcassonne France

About Château Comtal Carcassonne France

Château Comtal is the medieval castle within the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. In order to enter the castle and ramparts you need to pay an entry fee. Tickets are 11 euro (prices as at 2024). Children under 18 years as well as EU citizens aged 18 to 25 get free entry.

This Cathar castle was built in the 12 th century. Famous French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc restored the castle in 1853.

Attacks on the castle occurred numerous times during the 13 th century. This occurred during the War against the Cathars of the Languedoc as well as the Crusades. Subsequently the castle was enlarged into a fortress.

Address: Château Comtal

Located within the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne

Plus Code: 6947+R6 Carcassonne, France

Comte Roger Restaurant Carcassonne France

About Comte Roger Restaurant Carcassonne France

Comte Roger is a fine dining Michelin Plate restaurant. Their menu features the best local cuisine with gourmet dishes carefully prepared by Chef Pierre Mesa. The restaurant includes a modern contemporary dining room with views of the ramparts of the fortress. There is also an outdoor terrace area.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Expect to pay 10-20 euro for starters, 20-30 euro for mains, 8-10 euro for dessert (prices as at 2022).

Comte Roger Restaurant Carcassonne France Address

14 Rue Saint-Louis, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Comte Roger Restaurant Contact Details

Telephone: +33468119340

Website: http://www.comteroger.com/

Basilique Saint-Nazaire Carcassonne France

About basilique saint-nazaire carcassonne france.

Basilique Saint-Nazaire (Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica. It is located within the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Originally a Visigoth church was here from around the 6 th century. Subsequently there was a cathedral from the 12 th century. That cathedral was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 13 th century. Finally French architect Viollet-le-Duc restored the building in the 1800s. This Gothic-Romanesque style church is a French historical monument.

Basilique Saint-Nazaire Carcassonne France Address

La Cité, Place Saint-Nazaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Porte Narbonnaise (Narbonne Gate) Carcassonne France

About Porte Narbonnaise (Narbonne Gate) Carcassonne France

Porte Nabonnaise is the main entrance to the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Built around 1280, it features two large spur towers. The name of the gate is due to its orientation towards the nearby city of Narbonne. In the 1800s the famous French architect Viollet-le-Duc reconstructed the battlements and the slate roof. He also added a drawbridge which was not in the original design.

Porte Narbonnaise (Narbonne Gate) Carcassonne France Address

Located on the eastern side of the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne

Buste de Dame Carcas (Bust of Lady Carcas) Carcassonne France

About Lady Carcas Carcassonne France

The name of the city of Carcassonne comes from the legendary figure from local folklore, Lady Carcas. Legend has it that the Emperor Charlemagne had laid siege to the city of Carcassonne and the city had been under siege for 5 or 6 years. During this time Lady Carcas’ husband died and she became the head of the city. Lady Carcas was cunning and used tactics to make Charlemagne think the city was stronger than it was. For example, she used straw mannequins dressed as soldiers to make it look like she had stronger defences than she actually had.

However as the siege went on, supplies of food dwindled. Eventually the town only had one pig and some wheat. Rather than give up or starve, Lady Carcas decided to show one last desperate act of defiance. She stuffed the pig with grain and threw it over the walls of the city. The pig landed in front of the besieging army, exploding with grain. This lead Charlemagne to think that the people of Carcassonne had so much food that they were willing to waste some. Moreover he thought they could easily wait out the siege for many more years to come. As such, he gave up and called off his army.

As Charlemagne’s army left, Lady Carcas sounded the town horn to let those in the surrounding area know that the siege had lifted. This gave rise to the town name, “Carcas sonne”, which means Carcas sounds.

It is likely that this is merely a legend, as Charlemagne never attacked the city of Carcassonne. However it makes for a great story!

Buste de Dame Carcas (Bust of Lady Carcas) Carcassonne France Address

Located on the eastern side of the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, in front of Porte Narbonnaise

Plus Code: 6948+M9 Carcassonne, France

Pont Vieux of Carcassonne

About Pont Vieux of Carcassonne

Pont Vieux translates to Old Bridge. This is a medieval stone bridge that dates back to the 14 th Century. The bridge is a pedestrian bridge, crossing the Aude River. For centuries it was the only bridge connecting Bastide Saint Louis, the lower town of Carcassonne, with the Medieval City of Carcassonne. It has been classified as a historical monument in France.

Pont Vieux of Carcassonne Address

Rue du Pont Vieux, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Portail des Jacobins Carcassonne France

About Portail des Jacobins Carcassonne France

Portail des Jacobins is the gateway to the lower town of Carcassonne, known as Bastide Saint Louis. It was built in 1779 and was supposed to be one of the 4 gateways to the city at the cardinal points. However the other gates were not built. This monumental gate was constructed in stone in the neo-classical style.

Outside the gate there is a nice park area as well as the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Brasserie a 4 Temps.

Portail des Jacobins Carcassonne France Address

Rue Courtejaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Plus Code: 6963+82 Carcassonne, France

Place Carnot Carcassonne France

About place carnot carcassonne france.

Place Carnot is the central square of the lower town of Carcassonne. The square is lined with cafes and restaurants and is a great place to have a leisurely lunch and people watch. On Tuesday, Thursdays as well as Saturdays a fresh produce market is held in the square. Additionally, during the Christmas season you can find a charming European Christmas market here. In the middle of the square there is a fountain called La Fontaine de Neptune.

The square in its current dimensions has been at this location since 1355. In that time it has been the place of many historic events. During the French Revolution it was used as a site of public executions. One such execution was that of Joan the Black, who was was guillotined here in 1792.

The square was renovated in 2021.

Place Carnot Carcassonne France Address

Place Carnot, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Canal du Midi Carcassonne France

About canal du midi carcassonne france.

Canal du Midi is the other UNESCO World Heritage Site in Carcassonne. The canal is 360km long and spans between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Along the canal there are 328 structures, including locks, aqueducts, bridges as well as tunnels. Specifically, in the Greater Carcassonne area alone there are 17 locks to pass through. This makes for a leisurely boat trip if you decide to sail down the canal.

The canal was built between 1667 and 1694. Significantly, it is known as one of the great civil engineering works of the modern era. It was designed by French engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet.

There is a path alongside the canal, which is perfect for a relaxing stroll as well as for cycling. There are restaurants on the banks of the canal as well as a port just outside the Carcassonne train station.

Canal du Midi Carcassonne France Address

Plus Code: 6982+X4 Carcassonne, France

Gare de Carcassonne France

About Gare de Carcassonne

This is the train station in Carcassonne France. It connects Carcassonne to other towns and cities within France. Carcassonne is around one hour by train from Toulouse, 40 minutes by train to Narbonne and 1.5 hours from Montpellier.

Gare de Carcassonne Address

1 Av. du Maréchal Joffre, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Self Guided Walking Tour of Carcassonne France Map

The map of this self guided walking tour of Carcassonne France is below.

Walking Distances for Self Guided Walking Tour of Carcassonne France

The walking distances are as follows:

• Square Gambetta to Pâtisserie Bimas: 150 metres (0.1 miles), 2 minute walk (we suggest buying hand crafted chocolates here)
• Pâtisserie Bimas to La Petite Cuillère: 450 metres (0.3 miles), 6 minute walk (you will walk across the Pont Neuf bridge over the Aude River and get views of the Pont Vieux bridge) (we suggest having a snack and a hot drink here)
• La Petite Cuillère to Église Saint-Gimer: 400 metres (0.2 miles), 5 minute walk
• Église Saint-Gimer to Porte de l’Aude: 140 metres (0.1 miles), 2 minute walk uphill
• Porte de l’Aude to Château Comtal : 450 metres (0.3 miles), 7 minute walk
• Château Comtal to Restaurant Comte Roger: 110 metres (0.1 miles), 1 minute walk
• Restaurant Comte Roger to Basilique Saint-Nazaire: 140 metres (0.1 miles), 2 minute walk (we suggest you have lunch here)
• Basilique Saint-Nazaire to Porte Narbonnaise: 400 metres (0.2 miles), 5 minute walk
• Porte Narbonnaise to Pont Vieux: 950 metres (0.6 miles), 11 minute walk
• Pont Vieux to Portail des Jacobins: 550 metres (0.3 miles), 7 minute walk
• Portail des Jacobins to Place Carnot: 270 metres (0.2 miles), 3 minute walk (we suggest having a drink at one of the restaurants and cafes around Place Carnot)
• Place Carnot to Gare de Carcassonne: 600 metres (0.4 miles), 8 minute walk (you cross the Canal du Midi just before the train station)

Total Distance for self-guided walking tour Carcassonne France: 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles), 57 minute walk. Allow for one full day with stops along the way to enjoy the attractions.

Virtual Walking Tour of Carcassonne France

Our virtual Carcassonne Walking Tour in France is in the video below.

Train to Carcassonne France

Trains are a cheap and efficient way to get to Carcassonne France. Carcassonne Train Station is called Gare de Carcassonne in French.

We recommend using the app and website TrainLine to book intercity train tickets in France . This is the app we used. We found it very easy to use with great functionality. Another great feature is that you can see days ahead to see what times of the day were the cheapest rates. The TrainLine app was much easier to use than the SNCF website and app, which we found really cumbersome and difficult to use.

Where to stay in Carcassonne France

We recommend the following accommodation in Carcassonne France:

• Best hostel in Carcassonne city – for a great value hostel in the heart of Carcassonne city we recommend Le Couvent Hostel . This hostel is very clean and fairly new. The staff are nice and helpful. There is also a great bar and restaurant on the premises. However there is no communal kitchen and not many common areas.
• Best mid-range hotel in Carcassonne France – for a great value stay in Carcassonne France we recommend Hôtel du Pont Vieux . Located just outside the city, this Carcassonne hotel has comfortable rooms and exceptional service.
• Best bed & breakfast in Carcassonne city – for a charming B&B in Carcassonne Citadel, we recommend Les chambres d’Aimé . This historic property has spacious, beautifully decorated rooms as well as a private pool. It is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Furthermore, their breakfasts are delicious.
• Best luxury 5 star hotel in Carcassonne Citadel – for a luxury experience within the city walls of Carcassonne we recommend Hotel de la Cité & Spa Mgallery . The hotel has a prime position within the citadel and the views from the terrace are amazing.
• Best value self-contained apartment in Carcassonne city – for a beautifully appointed one bedroom apartment in Carcassonne city we recommend Méline – BASTIDE – Appartement . This Carcassonne holiday apartment rental is also conveniently close to the historic city of Carcassonne.
• Best luxury self-contained apartment in Carcassonne city – Apartement d`Églantine is a spacious apartment in Carcassonne with a wonderful host and a great location.

Carcassonne Blogs

You can find our Carcassonne travel blogs below.

10 Best Things To Do in Carcassonne France (with map)

10 Best FREE Things To Do in Carcassonne France (with map)

Carcassonne Travel Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

France Blogs

You can find our France travel blogs below.

20 Best FREE Things To Do in Nice France (with map)

15 Best FREE Things To Do in Toulon France (with map)

24 Best FREE Things To Do in Marseille France (with map)

18 Best FREE Things To Do in Avignon France (with map)

10 Best FREE Things To Do in Nîmes France (with map)

14 Best FREE Things To Do in Montpellier France (with map)

17 Best FREE Things To Do in Toulouse France (with map)

Nice Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Toulon Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Marseille Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Avignon Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Nîmes Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Montpellier Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Affiliate links.

This website contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission on any purchases at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue our travels and make more travel blogs and travel videos , thank you!

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Athens Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

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Sting Kicks Off 2024 “Sting 3.0 Tour” with Hits and Deep Cuts: Video + Setlist

The post Sting Kicks Off 2024 “Sting 3.0 Tour” with Hits and Deep Cuts: Video + Setlist appeared first on Consequence .

Sting took to the stage stage in Dresden, Germany on Saturday night to kick off his “Sting 3.0” power trio tour (grab tickets here) , delivering a set of hits and deep cuts.

The “Sting 3.0″ tour sees the former Police frontman joined by guitarist and longtime collaborator Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas. Opening with the first live performance of The Police’s “Voices Inside My Head” since 2006, Sting immediately followed up with the band’s 1979 classic “Message In a Bottle.” From there, the set included more bust-outs, like “When the Angels Fall” (for the first time since 1992) and “Never Coming Home” (for the first time since 2012), as well as solo hits like “Fields of Gold,” and all The Police bops you’d like to hear, like “Every Breath You Take” and “Roxanne.”

Get Sting Tickets Here

Fan-captured footage of the performance show the trio sounding in fine form, filling out the songs’ arrangements with impressive umph. Unsurprisingly, Stings’ bass was the star of the show, as he was given the sonic room to provide counter melodies and booming basslines with impact. Check out the full setlist and watch videos of the show below.

Sting and co. will tour Europe through the summer, before coming stateside for a North American leg in September. From there, he’ll play in cities like Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more. He’ll also play a few shows with Billy Joel. Check out the complete tour schedule below, and  get tickets here .

Setlist — Sting at Messehalle in Dresden, Germany, May 25th, 2024 Voices Inside My Head Message In A Bottle Synchronicity II Driven To Tears Fields Of Gold Never Coming Home When The Angels Fall A Thousand years Tea In The Sahara The Hounds Of Winter Mad About You Fortress Around Your Heart Can’t Stand Losing You Englishman In New York Shape Of My Heart Walking On The Moon So Lonely Desert Rose King Of Pain Every Breath You Take Roxanne Fragile

Sting 2024 Tour Dates: 05/27 – Zagreb, Croatia @ Zagreb Arena 05/29 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Arena Stozice 05/31 – Budapest, Hungary @ Budapest Arena 06/01 – Bratislava, Slovakia @ TIPOS Arena 06/04 – Plzeň, Czech Republic @ Amphitheatre Lochotín 06/06 – Gdańsk, Poland @ Ergo Arena 06/07 – Łódź, Poland @ Atlas Arena 06/09 – Kaunas, Lithuania @ Zalgirio Arena 06/10 – Tartu, Estonia @ Tartu Song Festival Grounds 06/14 – Cheshire, UK @ Delamere Forest 06/16 – Plymouth, UK @ Plymouth Summer Sessions 06/18 – Cork, Ireland @ Musgrave Park 06/19 – Belfast, UK @ Belsonic (Ormeau Park) 06/22 – Suffolk, UK @ Thetford Forest 06/23 – Nottinghamshire, UK @ Sherwood Pines 06/25 – Fontainebleu, France @ FBLO Festival 07/05 – Athens, Greece @ Odeon of Herodus Atticus 07/06 – Athens, Greece @ Odeon of Herodus Atticus 07/10 – La Rochelle, France @ Les Francofolies 07/11 – Brive, France @ Lovely Brive Festival 07/12 – Carhaix, France @ Vieilles Charrues Festival 07/14 – Rotterdam, Netherlands @ North Sea Jazz Festival 07/16 – Toulon, France @ Esplanade Zenith Toulon 07/17 – Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival (Lake Stage) 07/19 – Nieuwpoort, Belgium @ Beach Festival 07/20 – Fulda, Germany @ Fulda Domplatz 07/23 – Salem, Germany @ Schloss Salem 07/24 – Füssen, Germany @ Barockgarten am Festspielhaus 07/27 – Lingen, Germany @ Platz vor der Emsland Arena 07/28 – Stuttgart, Germany @ jazzopen 07/30 – Carcassonne, France @ Festival de Carcassonne 08/01 – Corsica, France @ AIO Festival 08/03 – S.ta Margherita di Pula (CA), Italy @ Forte Arena 08/31 – Aspen, CO @ Aspen Snowmass 09/17 – Detroit, MI @ Fillmore Detroit 09/18 – Detroit, MI @ Fillmore Detroit 09/20 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall 09/21 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall 09/24 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall 09/27 – St. Louis, MO @ Busch Stadium * 09/30 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met 10/01 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met 10/04 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall @ Fenway Park 10/06 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall @ Fenway Park 10/07 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount 10/09 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount 10/10 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount 10/12 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre 10/15 – Washington, DC @ MGM National Harbor 10/16 – Washington, DC @ MGM National Harbor 10/20 – Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach 10/21 – Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach 10/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (CEPAC) 10/25 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome * 10/28 – Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre 10/29 – Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre 11/01 – Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre 11/06 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic 11/07 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic 11/09 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium * 11/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern 11/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern 11/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

* = w/ Billy Joel

Sting Kicks Off 2024 “Sting 3.0 Tour” with Hits and Deep Cuts: Video + Setlist Jo Vito

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Watch Sting begin 2024 tour in Germany with Police hits and deep cuts

The rock veteran kicked off his ‘Sting 3.0’ tour by unearthing songs not performed in decades

Sting has kicked off his ‘Sting 3.0’ tour – which sees him performing in a trio set-up across Europe and the US. The rock veteran performed its first date in Dresden, Germany at the Dresdner Musikfestspiele.

• READ MORE: In praise of ‘The Traitors’ and its terribly brilliant cover songs

The ‘Sting 3.0’ tour features Sting performing alongside guitarist and longtime collaborator Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, the latter previously serving as touring drummer for Mumford & Sons .

In Dresden on May 25, the setlist consisted of an almost even split between solo material and songs written and performed with the Police . It began with his former band’s ‘Voice Inside My Head’, performing it for the first time since 2006, as Consequence notes.

Other songs that made a comeback into Sting’s live repertoire include the Police’s ‘Synchronicity II’ (since 2018) and ‘Tea in the Sahara’ (since 2017), along with Sting’s own ‘When the Angels Fall’ (since 1992) and ‘Never Coming Home’ (since 2012).

Alongside these deep cuts were fan favourites like ‘Roxanne’, ‘Desert Rose’, ‘Fields of Gold’, and ‘Every Breath You Take’. See fan footage of that night, along with Sting’s forthcoming tour dates below.

Recommended

Sting’s setlist for the ‘Sting 3.0’ tour in Dresden, Germany (via Setlist.fm ):

‘Voices Inside My Head’ ‘Message In A Bottle’ ‘Synchronicity II’ ‘Driven To Tears’ ‘Fields Of Gold’ ‘Never Coming Home’ ‘When The Angels Fall’ ‘A Thousand Years’ ‘Tea In The Sahara’ ‘The Hounds Of Winter’ ‘Mad About You’ ‘Fortress Around Your Heart’ ‘Can’t Stand Losing You’ ‘Englishman In New York’ ‘Shape Of My Heart’ ‘Walking On The Moon’ ‘So Lonely’ ‘Desert Rose’ ‘King Of Pain’ ‘Every Breath You Take’ ‘Roxanne’ ‘Fragile’

Sting will continue his tour through Europe this week onwards till early August, covering Ireland, Croatia, Slovenia, Budapest, Poland, among others. These dates will see him and his band perform in arenas and festivals.

However, his ‘Sting 3.0’ US tour – which begins there on September 17 – promises performances in far more intimate venues, such as The Fillmore Detroit and Los Angeles’ The Wiltern, alongside co-headlining engagements with Billy Joel . See his full tour itinerary below.

Sting’s ‘Sting 3.0’ tour dates are:

MAY 27 – Zagreb, Croatia, Zagreb Arena 29 – Ljubljana, Slovenia, Arena Stozice 31 – Budapest, Hungary, Budapest Arena

JUNE 01 – Bratislava, Slovakia, TIPOS Arena 04 – Plzeň, Czech Republic, Amphitheatre Lochotín 06 – Gdańsk, Poland, Ergo Arena 07 – Łódź, Poland, Atlas Arena 09 – Kaunas, Lithuania, Zalgirio Arena 10 – Tartu, Estonia, Tartu Song Festival Grounds 14 – Cheshire, UK, Delamere Forest 16 – Plymouth, UK, Plymouth Summer Sessions 18 – Cork, Ireland, Musgrave Park 19 – Belfast, UK, Belsonic (Ormeau Park) 22 – Suffolk, UK, Thetford Forest 23 – Nottinghamshire, UK, Sherwood Pines 25 – Fontainebleu, France, FBLO Festival

JULY 05 – Athens, Greece, Odeon of Herodus Atticus 06 – Athens, Greece, Odeon of Herodus Atticus 10 – La Rochelle, France, Les Francofolies 11 – Brive, France, Lovely Brive Festival 12 – Carhaix, France, Vieilles Charrues Festival 14 – Rotterdam, Netherlands, North Sea Jazz Festival 16 – Toulon, France, Esplanade Zenith Toulon 17 – Montreux, Switzerland, Montreux Jazz Festival (Lake Stage) 19 – Nieuwpoort, Belgium, Beach Festival 20 – Fulda, Germany, Fulda Domplatz 23 – Salem, Germany, Schloss Salem 24 – Füssen, Germany, Barockgarten am Festspielhaus 27 – Lingen, Germany, Platz vor der Emsland Arena 28 – Stuttgart, Germany, jazzopen 30 – Carcassonne, France, Festival de Carcassonne

AUGUST 01 – Corsica, France, AIO Festival 03 – S.ta Margherita di Pula (CA), Italy, Forte Arena 31 – Aspen, Colorado, Aspen Snowmass

SEPTEMBER 17 – Detroit, Michigan, Fillmore Detroit 18 – Detroit, Michigan, Fillmore Detroit 20 – Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall 21 – Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall 24 – Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall 27 – St. Louis, Missouri, Busch Stadium % 30 – Philadelphia, Philadelphia, The Met

OCTOBER 01 – Philadelphia, Philadelphia, The Met 04 – Boston, Massachusetts, MGM Music Hall, Fenway Park 06 – Boston, Massachusetts, MGM Music Hall, Fenway Park 07 – Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn Paramount 09 – Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn Paramount 10 – Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn Paramount 12 – Port Chester, New York, The Capitol Theatre 15 – Washington, DC, MGM National Harbor 16 – Washington, DC, MGM National Harbor 20 – Miami, Florida, Fillmore Miami Beach 21 – Miami, Florida, Fillmore Miami Beach 22 – Atlanta, Georgia, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (CEPAC) 25 – San Antonio, Texas, Alamodome % 28 – Chicago, Illinois, Auditorium Theatre 29 – Chicago, Illinois, Auditorium Theatre

NOVEMBER 01 – Chicago, Illinois, Auditorium Theatre 06 – San Francisco, California, The Masonic 07 – San Francisco, California, The Masonic 09 – Las Vegas, Nevada, Allegiant Stadium % 12 – Los Angeles, California, The Wiltern 13 – Los Angeles, California, The Wiltern 15 – Los Angeles, California, The Wiltern

% with Billy Joel

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