The millions of people who drive along the A61 are struck by the beauty of the Cité médiévale de Carcassonne, overlooking a sea of vines.

There's not just one good viewpoint! 

Follow our advice on where to get the best views of this site, unique in the world.

Le pont vieux


From the Bastide (on foot)

  • The bridges: for a panoramic view of the cité de Carcassonne, stand on the Pont-Vieux (footbridge) or the Pont-Neuf.
  • The banks of the Aude, the quai Bellevue and the ile de la Cité below the bridges also have a good view, with the river Aude in the foreground. You could even enjoy a picnic in the calm surroundings (children's playgrounds) on the île or in the jardin Bellevue
  • Approaching the monument, go into place Saint-Gimer, in the Barbacane district, for one of the best views of the Cité and the porte d'Aude or along rue Trivalle, with its village atmosphere.

Porte d'Aude ®lageromoise

Rue barbacane, l'église St Gimer

Rue Trivalle au pied de la cité ®serranoandrea

From the surrounding area (by car)

  •  View of the Cité with vines in the foreground: head for chemin de FontGrande à near the porte Narbonnaise.
  • View from the Aude and the Mayrevieille plain: from the ring road, follow signs for 'camping de la cité'.
  •  Along the north-east and south ring road (a few different places).
  • A little bit of height from the Pech-Mary hill: from the Montlegun district, head for the lac de la Cavayère. Follow signs for the Arboretum.
  • The Belvédère d’Auriac motorway services (A61), with, once again a magnificent view of the Cité.

®descobrindo_a_francia

But the best is to enter and discover the Medieval Cité from a different angle. Enjoy a walk from the ramparts of the Château Comtal or stroll along the streets in the Cité.


Discover the hotels, restaurants and wine merchants located beneath the cité or with a superb view of the citadel!

9 offers

Refine my search

5

LE COMPTOIR DE LA CITÉ

Discover Le Comptoir de la Cité at the foot of the Cité de Carcassonne, a…
7

LE FLORIDABLANCA

The Floridablanca opened its doors in 2017, rue trivalle, halfway between the Bastide and the…
2

LA MÉTAIRIE

Music snack bar. Wood-fired pizzeria on the terrace with a panoramic view of the city.…
7

PONT LEVIS HÔTEL BY FRANCK PUTELAT

The only hotel at the main entrance to the medieval citadel of Carcassonne, in grounds…
4

HÔTEL LE PARC

The gardens at the foot of the ramparts of Carcassonne’s legendary Citadel is the site…
10

HÔTEL DU CHÂTEAU

This hotel is located right by the entry to the medieval citadel of Carcassonne in…
16

HÔTEL DE LA CITÉ

The Hotel de la Cité was built in 1909 on the site of the former…
21

HÔTEL DU PONT VIEUX

Delightful hotel at the foot of the citadel. Rooms with views overlooking the ramparts. Air-conditioned…