Carcassonne, France

Carcassonne

A double-walled medieval citadel with over fifty towers.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Carcassonne

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the ramparts of the Château Comtal and the double walls with their 52 towers.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, then walk down to the lower town, the Bastide.
  3. EveningSee the citadel lit up from the Pont Vieux bridge.

Day 2

Visit the Cathar castles of Peyrepertuse or Quéribus.

What to eat

Cassoulet, a slow-baked bean and meat stew.

Local tips

Make the most of Carcassonne

Beat the crowds

La Cité is busiest midday in summer. Visit in the evening when the walls are lit up and the crowds are gone.

Best photo spot

The view of La Cité from the old bridge over the Aude river, especially at night.

Getting there

Trains connect with Toulouse and the coast. Park below La Cité and walk up.

Don't miss nearby

The Cathar castles in the hills, like Peyrepertuse, about an hour away.

Good to know

Walking inside La Cité is free; the castle and the ramparts walk need a ticket.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Carcassonne

Our most hidden places around Carcassonne: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Carcassonne to take with you.

82 km away
96 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Carcassonne

Getting there

  • Carcassonne Airport (CCF)5 km away
  • Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)95 km away
  • Toulouse85 km away
  • Montpellier130 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypePopular town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryFrance

Questions

Carcassonne: good to know

Is Carcassonne worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A double-walled medieval citadel with over fifty towers.

How many days do you need in Carcassonne?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Carcassonne?

You can visit all year. La Cité is busiest midday in summer. Visit in the evening when the walls are lit up and the crowds are gone.

How do you get to Carcassonne?

The nearest airport is Carcassonne Airport (CCF), about 5 km away. Trains connect with Toulouse and the coast. Park below La Cité and walk up.

What is there to see near Carcassonne?

Nearby hidden places include Toulouse (86 km), Besalú (115 km) and Cadaqués (126 km).

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