Carcassonne Travel & Vacation Guide

In the area of Lac de La Cavayere you can find this acrobatic park. There are different trails of different levels with monkey bridges, wall climbing, Tarzan jumps and much more. For parents or anyone who is not fond of heights and adrenalin kicks of this sort there are also picnic areas to watch the spectacle from.

The “Jewel of the Cité” (11th-14th centuries) is a prime example of Norman and Gothic architecture existing comfortably side by side. It is home to the tomb of Bishop Pierre de Rochefort (14th century) and one of the oldest and most important organs of South of France. This national monument offers masses every Sunday at 11 am.

The Bastide Saint Louis is the heart of Carcasonne, built in 1260, to a checkerboard layout around the Place Carnot and its colourful market. Wandering in rich southern French charm, you will see beautiful religious buildings like Church Saint Vincent, private mansions as well as restful parks and gardens. Among top attractions is the Gothic-styled Saint-Michel Cathedral, which features a wealth of objects of worship and art work.

Nearby Bastide Saint Louis, you can continue your visit along the famous Canal du Midi that is suitable for its fine trekking, but there are also several boat trips to choose from. The canal was built in the 17th century and together with some other waters it connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Canal du Midi is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carcassonne Croisière offers plenty of fun and relaxing boat trips:

This small museum is located very close to the medieval city walls. Its exhibition with photos, recollections, uniforms and memorabilia focus on the French military history and it has a section that shows the local area during World War II. There is also a small library featuring journals and books that deals with this topic.

Originally the dwelling of powerful feudal lords, the The Château Comtal (Count’s Castle) has undergone many changes over the centuries. This very well looked after and repaired 12th century Medieval castle is part of Cité de Carcassonne (the medieval city). Learn more about its history by taking an informative audio tour. The castle also houses a small museum with historical painting, statues and relics.

This impressive UNESCO world heritage medieval fortress is unique in Europe for its beauty and size and walking along its 3 kilometres of ramparts is a must. There is no entrance fee, unless you would like to take a tour on the small train which means a small fee. The site was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

This haunted house is good fun for everyone that likes being scared. Ghosts, dark rooms and scary noises will get your heart beating faster. After entering this building all you will wish for, is to get out from it as fast as possible.

Bloc G is a hotel and is located in the medieval part of Carcassonne. Its modern and charming wine bar attracts a mixed clientele. Here you can enjoy delicious food and carefully selected wine from the oldest vineyards in the world. If the weather permits, enjoy your drink on the terrace.

Brasserie du Dôme is a popular venue to start with an aperitif in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The home-made sangria is famous, and it is a great place to watch concerts! If you are feeling hungry, they serve French food.

At La Métairie, you can enjoy a glass of wine accompanied by a fabulous panoramic view of Carcassonne. This is a great place to hang out with friends or that special someone.

Situated off the main tourist street, you will find this buzzing little hideaway. Le bar à vins is a lovely tapas bar with causal music, friendly service and with a relaxed ambiance, making it a great place to visit after a day of sightseeing. The menu provides a good range of beers and wines and it all can be enjoyed on the shaded courtyard.

Discover and enjoy some fine wines with friends or your loved ones at Le Verre d'un. The interesting wine selection is varied and cater all budgets and it all can be enjoyed inside or on the terrace. If you would like to try wine tasting, then make sure to check the program on the website or book a private tasting.

This is a typical Irish pub serving a wide range of beers accompanied by great live music. O’Sheridan’s Pub is a place for those who miss the British style pubs and Guinness! If you like singing, don´t miss out the karaoke nights.

Plugg d is a tapas bar where you can relish homemade tapas accompanied with a good wine. The decor is perfectly combined with contemporary, industrial and rustic style with a big bar and custom made bar tables. When the evening falls, the lights get dimmed and Dj puts the record on to get the vibe going. Also hosting live entertainment.

If you want to visit another traditional Irish pub you are welcome to The Celt. Each night you can enjoy an activity here, how about The Celt Darts Challenge on Mondays or sports on Tuesday and Wednesdays? Also providing live entertainment on Thursdays from September to May.

In the modern lower city, Bastide Saint Louis, there is a popular market for clothing on boulevard Barbès. Nearby, rue Georges Clémenceau and rue de Verdun are the major streets for shopping with a vast array of retailers, bookshops with rare or sold-out editions, shoes, cosmetics and perfume. On Place Carnot, the colourful market, with a mouth-watering selection of local delicacies is definitely worth a visit.

Whatever your style in footwear is, you will for sure find it in Chaussea. Here they offer a wide selection of shoes for men, women and children. With the latest collection, the staff are happy to help you to find the perfect shoes whether you need sneakers, boots, heels or dress shoes.

Shopping in the walled Cité is more authentic, although most of the shops are dedicated to tourists. There are a large number of tiny stores, boutiques and craftsmen. All kinds of souvenirs can be bought such as original clothes in wool, old maps, or gift items like antiques and local art or crafts. Knives, swords and other medieval weapons are also found in speciality shops. You will find excellent souvenirs and toys for the kids! There are a couple of good souvenir shops at the junction of rue Cros-Mayrevieille and rue Saint Sernin. For genuine articles, try the “Antiquities,” at the bottom of the rue Porte d’Aude. It is the oldest and most reliable shop for antiques.

The story of Jeff de Bruges’ chocolate started in the Belgian town Bruges. If you love chocolate, you might have to give these chocolates a go. The cute and stylish shop in Carcassonne offers a lot of nice treats and you will certainly not leave the store empty handed.

For all the foodies, when in Carcassonne, La Ferme is an excellent upmarket deli to visit. With over 6,000 gourmet products and gifts to choose from, you will for sure find something that will suite your taste.

Everything you will need when it comes to food, you will find it in this food hall, which is housed in a beautiful building, built in 1768. Stalls offering fresh produce from the region everything from high quality cheese to fresh vegetables, bakery goods, fruits, meats and fish.

Monoprix is one of the most famous chains in France. Here you can find everything from food, cosmetics and interior design to affordable clothing.

Located about 70 kilometres northwest of Carcassonne, the large shopping centre Nailloux Fashion Village offers well-known brands at factory outlet prices. Here you can find brands such as Desigual, Haribo, Nike, Calvin Klein, Mango Samsonite and Guess.

Carcassonne is served by an international airport, “Aeroport de Carcassonne-Salvaza”, located 2 kilometres west of the city. The cheapest and fastest way to get into town is the shuttle service. Shuttles run according to flight schedules, departure is every 30 minutes after each flight arrival and take you to the city centre, train station and the Cité. Tickets can be bought on the buss and is valid over the entire urban network for one hour. If you rather take a taxi, the cost from the airport to Carcassonne town centre is normally cheaper than a taxi to the Cité. Carcassonne Taxis +33 4 68 71 50 50

You can either book a taxi by phone or go to one of the taxi stands which can be found outside the railway station, in the medieval city or in the town centre. One taxi company is Allo Carcassonne Taxi and they are available 24/7:

A good way to see the city and the rural surroundings is by renting a bike. Just be aware that the area is hilly. One of the well-reviewed and centrally located companies that provide bike rentals is Alter-ride.

The “Aglo’Bus” runs an efficient network of public buses and shuttles. Network of 11 bus routes are serving the city and the surrounding areas. You can purchase tickets on board or at the company hub (Halte Centrale/Parking du Dôme on Square Gambetta). Do not forget to validate your ticket when you enter the vehicle. There are travel cards for longer stays. There are also tourist train shuttle services, that operates between the medieval city and the Bastide Saint Louis. Outward route: Chénier - Davilla – Dôme - Medieval City. Return route: Medieval City - St Gimer - Gambetta - Chénier

220/240 V AC, 50Hz

Pharmacies are scattered around the city and can be recognised by the green cross. If you encounter any emergency situation, the duty pharmacy's name and phone number are on the door. Otherwise, you can call 3237 to get more information. Some of the pharmacies that can be found in area are: Sarcos Pierre 9 Place Carnot, Carcassonne +33 4 68 11 99 99 Pharmacie Lozano-Grimaldi 81 rue de Verdun, Carcassonne +33 4 68 25 08 11 pharma.lozano@wanadoo.fr www.totum.fr For all night pharmacy call +33 4 68 11 26 00

Stamps are available from kiosks and newsagents. Main Post Office:

Country code: +33 Area code: 468