Are you ready to take a walk back in time in the Cité de Carcassonne? In this post, I’ll cover all the details you need to visit the Cité de Carcassonne in the South of France!
About the Cité de Carcassonne:
Location: Cité de Carcassonne
The Cité de Carcassonne is a UNESCO world heritage site that has over 2,500 years of history.
The medieval city has been inhabited by many different people, including the Romans and Trencavel dynasty. It has weathered crusades, been destroyed in some areas, and rebuilt many times before officially being named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
Visiting the Cité de Carcassonne:
The Cité de Carcassonne is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week and is free to enter.
There are several paid parking lots surrounding the cité de Carcassonne. We parked here, a bit further away from the entrances of the city. We chose to park there to see the city from afar/below and we wanted to walk up through the city below!
Best Views of the City:
There are many places to view the exterior of the Cité de Carcassonne up close and far away. However, there are four locations that I believe offer the best views of the city.
Panoramic views of the exterior of the city:
- West side view: Take a short walk to the Pont Vieux to see the city from above the Aude River. The Pont Vieux (“old bridge”) is a medieval bridge that offers exceptional views of the surrounding area as well.
- East side view: Carcassonne Castle Panorama View Point
The best up-close views of the exterior of the city:
- The Porte Narbonnaise offers close-up views of the ramparts.
- The Porte de l’Aude offers a unique view of the spirals that appear to be stained into the side of the wall.
Entering the City:
The city itself is protected by a rampart and has two separate entrances.
You can enter the Cité de Carcassone through the Porte Narbonnaise on the east side or the Porte de l’Aude on the west side of the city.
The Porte Narbonnaise is a sturdy bridge that leads you onto the outskirts of town between the rampart and the interior city. The ramparts were originally built during Gallo-Roman times but were eventually restored in the 1800s. I highly recommend entering here and walking around the green area here before entering the city.
From the ramparts, you can see the city below, the surrounding area, and the mountains in the distance. The Cimetière de la Cité (the city’s cemetery) can be seen from the wall of the rampart. It is a hidden gem worth checking out, even if it is just briefly.
INSIDE the Cité de Carcassonne:
You can spend a few hours here or a whole day.
There are picturesque streets, unique passageways, and quirky buildings throughout the interior of the ancient city. All of these are best explored when you have it all to yourself. I recommend visiting early to beat the crowds.
The interior of the citadel is a bit commercialized. There are hundreds of shops and plenty of places to grab a meal or get ice cream, crepes, or a coffee! There are also museums to visit and tours you can book throughout the city too but I preferred to just walk through at my own pace.
Things to see nearby:
There are plenty of other places to see and things to do nearby after you’ve explored the ancient citadel!
Explore Bastide Saint-Louis
Cross the Aude River via the Pont Vieux and walk into the district of Bastide Saint-Louis to explore
- Walk along the Canal du Midi
- Visit the Saturday Market
Drive to NARBONNE France
Drive 45 minutes east to the city of Narbonne.
- Visit the indoor market, Les Halles de Narbonne.
- Walk on Via Domitia, a portion of an ancient Roman road.
- Taste wine in the Languedoc region at one of the many wineries nearby like Gerald Bertrand.
- Hike the Sentier de la Clape for views of surrounding vineyards in the Languedoc region.
Summary of the Cité de Carcassonne:
If you’re visiting the Occitanie region of France, the Cité de Carcassonne is a must-see destination!
The Cité de Carcassonne is free to visit and has over 2,500 years of history within its walls. You can leisurely walk through at your own pace or book a tour, grab lunch or an afternoon coffee at one of the many restaurants inside, or visit a museum of your choice.
If you would like to explore nearby places, head over to the Bastide Saint-Louis or drive to the town of Narbonne for a hike or wine tasting.
I hope I have provided you with all the information you need to explore this medieval city. If not, what questions do you still have? Let me know in the comments below!
