Carcassonne Cité

A monumental visit

The jewel of the destination, the medieval Cité of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage, welcomes you for a dizzying jump into 2,500 years of History.

Walk in the footsteps of the Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and Franks!
Completely at your own pace, take a trip into the depths of this mysterious town, surrounded by two defensive walls and fifty-two towers.

Wander along the narrow streets, explore the museums and the château Comtal, or visit the ramparts in a different way…drawn in a carriage by beautiful horses, or aboard a little train...

Top 5 things to do in Carcassonne Cité

• Feel like a knight as you walk along the ramparts from the château Comtal, with the bonus of a unique view over Carcassonne and the region
• Immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere in one of the museums in the Cité
• Admire the most beautiful stained-glass windows in southern France (14th and 16th centuries) when you visit the Basilique St Nazaire, half Romanesque, half Gothic
• Enjoy the king of Occitan dishes, the famous cassoulet accompanied by a full-bodied wine from one of our seven appellations.
• Stroll along the lices, or tiltyard, which surrounds the Cité, wander along the narrow, paved streets and through small squares, full of life at lunchtimes…

Carcassonne château and ramparts

The château Comtal, positioned against the protective ramparts of the Cité, was the residence of the Viscounts de Trencavel. A visit to the Cité must include the château, worthy of a fairy tale, to plunge yourself completely into the medieval era. This journey through history is embellished by a walk along the ramparts, from where you have wonderful panoramas of the Pyrenees, Montagne Noire and the Bastide of Carcassonne.

The château Comtal will always be associated with the Trencavels who had it built in the 12th century. These powerful Viscounts of Carcassonne, skilled in the 'courtly love' described in troubadours' songs were Cathar sympathisers. One of them, Raymond-Roger de Trencavel was imprisoned in his own prisons, and died, a victim of the Albigensian Crusade...

There is an admission charge for entry to the château Comtal, run by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, which gives you:

• A privileged access to the upper part of the ramparts via the internal staircases in the tower and an unrestricted 360° view. Two circuits are available, from 20 to 30 minutes.
•  Access to the rooms (film, model), the interior courtyards, the musée lapidaire (sculptures), and the shop
• The rampart walk, the hoards, the donjon…

Find out more about visiting the Château and ramparts in Carcassonne

How to get there

PLAN

Carcassonne is mid-way between Toulouse and the Mediterranean beaches, in the centre of the Occitanie region.
Access to the medieval cité is easy whether you come by car or on foot:

By car

Motorway exits 23 or 24: follow 'Carcassonne centre', then 'La Cité'.
Pay and display car parks for visitors, open until 8:00pm (located around the citadel).
Perpignan – Carcassonne: 116 km
Montpellier – Carcassonne: 151 km
Toulouse - Carcassonne: 94 km

By Bus

Take lines 2,3, et 4 to go from the town centre (Train station) to the medieval City
for 1.20€ (tickets on board).
Line 2 : stop at  Général Leclerc - Cité médiévale , at 500 from the Narbonne gate , main entrance to the medieval City
Line 3 : stop at  Cité Médiévale , arrêt le plus proche , at 150 from the Narbonne gate , main entrance to the medieval City
Line 4 : stop at  Porte d'Aude - Cité médiévale , entrance Aude gate, by a quite steep passage

From June to September the white "petit train" is a shuttle with comments in english that leads you from the Bastide (town center to la Cité and return  (7€ each ways))

By train

The medieval cité is a 30-minute walk from Carcassonne train station.
To book tickets: www.voyages-sncf.fr / Tel. 3658

By plane

Aéroport Sud France - Carcassonne
www.aeroport-carcassonne.com
Shuttle service to the medieval cité

Find out more about how to get here

Fireworks and Carcassonne ablaze

Each year, on 14th July at 10:30pm, the Medieval Cité adorns itself with 1000 fireworks for an exceptional 30-minute spectacular, considered as one of the best in the world, which can be seen free of charge from the town and the surrounding area