Travel to Carcassonne - France | Keytours Vacations

Discover Carcassonne's Wonders

Carcassonne Travel Information This enchanting town is built entirely within a castle, La Cite, a fortified upper city. From your spectacular vantage high above the valleys below, view the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire and its vibrant stained glass windows, stroll the medieval cobbled streets, and sample traditional cassoullet (peasant stew). Carcassone is a step back in time with an unrivaled view.Additional France travel information including vacation packages and escorted tours.

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Description

Carcassonne has been influenced by over 2,000 years of conquests, crusades, and the prosperous period of Catharism’s religion. Before its restoration, the Cité was an abandoned place in an outlying area in a town made wealthy by the wine trade and the clothes manufacturing industry. Today, Carcassonne offers a unique historical and architectural asset. In the absence of any heavy industry, tourism is undoubtedly the city’s strength both because of its geographic position and its exceptional heritage. The medieval walled town, the “Cité,” lies on the right bank of river Aude, and is still home to a population of around 120, with a large number of shops and craftsmen. On the left bank, the modern city Bastide Saint Louis has kept its historical roots. You will be amazed by its outstanding variety of architectural styles, including buildings dating from the 14th to the 18th century, such as the Saint Michel Cathedral.

Useful information

Population:

49,600

Currency:

Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Info:

Emergency: 112
Police: 17
Ambulance: 15
Fire Brigade: 18

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am-7 pm, but smaller shops may be closed at lunchtime from 12 pm-2 pm. Stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays, except for annual sales events.

Do & See

Acrobranche O2 Aventure

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.

Basilica Saint Nazaire

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.

Bastide Saint Louis

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.

Canal du Midi

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:

Centre Culturel De La Memoire Combattante

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.

Château Comtal

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.

Cité de Carcassonne

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.

La Maison Hantee

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.

Dining

Au Four St. Louis

Situated right in the centre, Au Four St. Louis offers their guests French cuisine that comes straight from the heart and made with fresh ingredients. The attentive and prompt service, the cosy ambiance and of course the delicious food are some of the reasons why tourists as well as the locals are coming back for more.

Au Jardin de la Tour

This restaurant does not look like much to the world from the outside, but after you have passed through the door and the bar, a beautiful garden appears. Au Jardin de la Tour has lovely outside tables and a menu containing both regional and Mediterranean food.

Auberge de Dame Carcas

Auberge De Dame Carcas is a great venue to taste traditional regional dishes. You can try the home made Cassoulet with leg of duck, grilled piglet with honey sauce, and panned foie gras with red fruits.

Auberge des Ducs d’Oc

This inn is situated on a quaint castle square, true to its medieval heritage, with stone walls and wooden beams. Auberge des Ducs d’Oc is open all year round for dinner and lunch with French specialities such as duck breast and foie gras.

Auberge des Lices

Recommended by the locals, this restaurant is located in a narrow street, off the beaten path and housed in an elegant and medieval building. The menu provides the typical cassoulet, but also other dishes such as the ‘parillada’ which is made with fresh fish and is definitely worth a try.

Chez Fred

Located just a short walk from Canal du Midi, opposite the train station, Chez Fred serves sophisticated, traditional Mediterranean food as well as French cuisine. The great buzz, efficient staff and the freshly prepared food are some of the reasons people are coming back for more.

L'Escargot

If you have not tried the typical French dish "L'Escargot" (snails), this is a good restaurant for your premiere. At L'Escargot, you order French "tapas" and you and your company share several small French dishes, so if you happen to not like the delicacy, it will not end with you having to leave the restaurant hungry.

La Jonque

If craving for Asian food, then La Jonque is a great choose to head for. This little hidden gem serves top notch Chinese food and for sure well worth a visit. Make sure to book a table since this is a busy small restaurant with not that many tables.

Cafes

Café Saillan

Head for Café Saillan, in the centre of the city, close to the market, for breakfast, lunch or just for a coffee or a cold drink. This welcoming cafe is visited by many regulars but also by people who are just passing by. Sit down and have a relaxing moment on the outside terrace and watch the world go by while enjoying your meal and coffee.

Crêperie le Blé Noir

At this extremely popular venue you will find excellent crêpes, both sweet and salty ones. They are deliciously served with fruit, chocolate or what your heart desires. When here expect outstanding service and the prices are reasonable as well.

L'apar Thé

Located inside the La Galerie Géant Salvaza, L'apar Thé offers a warm and modern setting where you can discover a world of great variety of coffee and tea. A combined shop and cafe, the store offers a wide selection of coffee, tea, crockery and gift ideas. This is a great place where to refuel between all the shopping.

La Petite Cuillère

Whether you are craving for salty or sweet, La Petite Cuillère for sure offers a great mix of food and desserts. Pies, salads, soups, bagels, sandwiches, cakes, smoothies, pastries and yogurts are all on the menu, just waiting for you to pick.

Le Chaudron Cathare

Simple cafe with a breakfast and lunch menu, Le Chaudron Cathare serves great paninis, sandwiches, soups, snacks and savoury pancakes, waffles as well as a wide variety of ice creams. There is a shaded courtyard where you can cool down on a very hot day while enjoying your food and drink.

Le Marcou

Le Marcou is located in the beautiful Medieval Cité and is very busy place. This is a popular cafe among tourists who come to enjoy ice cream, tea and cocktails or simply a good coffee.

Le Petit Moka

Le Petit Moka is a charming venue with a good location near the river Aude and offers a wide range of coffee and tea for a reasonable price. Great for a break between tours in the Cité and Bastide Saint Louis.

Méery Cake

The name says it all, if you have a sweet tooth then this is the place to head for. Méery Cake is a beautiful shop with a large variety of lovely cakes and cupcakes with all sorts of yummy flavours. If this was not enough, they have a great assortment of sweets available and displayed in large glass jars. You can either stay in or take away, but if you do stay in, they have free WiFi so take the opportunity and get connected with your friends.

Bars & Nightlife

Bloc G

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

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.

La Métairie

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.

Le Bar à Vins de la Cité

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.

Le Verre d'un

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.

O’Sheridan’s

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

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.

The Celt

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.

Shopping

Bastide Saint Louis

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.

Chaussea

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.

Cité

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.

Jeff de Bruges

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.

La Ferme

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.

Les Halles

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

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

Nailloux Fashion Village

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.

Tourist Information

Aeroport de Carcassonne-Salvaza - Airport

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

Taxi

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:

Bike

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.

Buses and Shuttles

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

Electricity

220/240 V AC, 50Hz

Pharmacy

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

Post

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

Telephone

Country code: +33 Area code: 468

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Carcassonne?

The best time to visit Carcassonne is from May to September when the weather is warm and ideal for exploring the medieval city. During these months, you can enjoy outdoor activities and festivals, though July and August can be crowded due to peak tourist season.

What are the must-see attractions in Carcassonne?

The must-see attraction in Carcassonne is the Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This medieval fortress features 52 towers and double-walled fortifications. Also, visit the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus for its stunning stained glass windows.

How many days should I spend in Carcassonne?

A stay of two to three days is ideal to explore Carcassonne. This allows time to fully explore the Cité de Carcassonne, visit local museums, and enjoy leisurely walks along the Canal du Midi.

What local dishes should I try in Carcassonne?

While in Carcassonne, try the traditional dish cassoulet, a hearty stew made with white beans, duck, and sausages. Also, sample regional wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon area, which complement the local cuisine perfectly.

How do I get to Carcassonne?

Carcassonne is accessible by train from major cities like Toulouse and Montpellier. The city also has an airport with flights from several European destinations. Renting a car is an option if you prefer to explore the surrounding countryside.

What is the best way to get around Carcassonne?

The best way to get around Carcassonne is on foot, especially within the Cité de Carcassonne where cars are not allowed. For exploring areas outside the medieval city, consider renting a bike or using local buses.

Are there any day trips I can take from Carcassonne?

Yes, consider a day trip to the nearby village of Minerve, known for its picturesque landscapes and historical significance. Another option is the Cathar castles, such as Château de Peyrepertuse, which offer stunning views and a glimpse into the region's past.

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