Carcassonne Town Guide

Carcassonne — The Medieval Fortress

Carcassonne's is the most complete medieval walled city in Europe — 52 towers, a double ring of ramparts stretching 3 km, and a silhouette so theatrical it inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Perched on a hilltop above the River Aude in the Languedoc, it has been fortified since Gallo-Roman times, endured the Cathar crusade, and was rescued from demolition in the 19th century by architect Viollet-le-Duc.

Château Comtal

The castle within the castle — the 12th-century Trencavel fortress at the heart of the Cité. The audio guide is excellent, covering the complex layers of construction. The views from the keep are the best in town.

Basilique Saints-Nazaire-et-Celse

A masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the stained glass windows are among the finest in southern France.

Bastide Saint-Louis (Lower Town)

Don't just visit the Cité. The across the river is where locals actually live — a grid of 13th-century streets with the excellent Saturday morning market on Place Carnot.

The Cathar Crusade — The brutal 13th-century campaign against southern France's Cathar heretics — Carcassonne's darkest chapter — on L'Esprit.

Food & Drink

• — Carcassonne claims (alongside Toulouse and Castelnaudary) to be its birthplace. The Carcassonne version uses a leg of lamb.
• Languedoc wines — especially Corbières and Minervois from nearby vineyards

When to Visit

• July 14: Bastille Day fireworks illuminate the entire Cité — one of France's most spectacular displays
• June and September: Warm, fewer crowds, the Cité at its best
• Summer: Very crowded; arrive early morning or late afternoon