This list of the best places to see in Carcassonne will help you prepare a getaway to one of Europe's most beautiful medieval walled cities.
Located in the south of France and surrounded by vineyards, this town will take you back to medieval times as you stroll through the cobbled streets of the citadel, which is surrounded by 3 kilometres of a double wall.
After a period of neglect, which left the citadel in a state of ruin, it was restored in the 19th century with a major restoration that made it the largest fortified medieval citadel in Europe and declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. It is now one of the top tourist attractions in France, visited by more than three million people a year.
Although you can see Carcassonne in a day, we recommend spending the night in the city so that you can wander around after most of the tourists have left.
Based on the experience of our visit during our trip to the Cathar Castles, we have compiled this list of what we think are the 10 must-see places to visit in Carcassonne. Let's get started!
1. Viewpoints
One of the best things to do in Carcassonne is to get away from the citadel for a breathtaking panorama of the entire walled city. One of our favourite viewpoints is the one along the banks of the river Aude, which runs from the Pont View to the Pont Neuf.
Another incredible viewpoint, from where you get a fantastic view of the walled city with the vineyards in the foreground, is located on the opposite side of the citadel. You can walk there in about 20 minutes from the Citadel by taking the Chemin des Anglais road and then turning left onto the Chemin de la Porte de Fer.
Viewpoint of Carcassonne
2. Wall
The three-kilometre long double wall with 52 towers surrounding the citadel is one of the most impressive sights to see in Carcassonne.
The inner wall was built in the Gallo-Roman period at the end of the 3rd century, while the outer wall was built during the 13th century, by order of Philip III. This space between the two walls, known as the liza, was perfect for when the attackers overcame the first wall to find themselves in a vulnerable area with no possibility of protecting themselves from the arrows and cavalry coming from inside.
You can walk around the Citadel on a pleasant stroll along the liza, which will allow you to see all the towers, including Saint Nazaire, Tresau, Justice and Bishop's towers, and the 4 main access gates, each located at one of the cardinal points.
A good way to learn about the history of this medieval town and its most important points is to book this guided tour in English.
Walls of Carcassonne
3. Basilica of Saint Nazaire
The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, which was begun in the 11th century in Romanesque style and finished in the 14th century in Gothic, is another of the most beautiful places to visit in Carcassonne. In addition to appreciating the mixture of styles, the interior impresses with its magnificent 13th and 14th century stained glass windows, among the most beautiful in the South of France.
Basilica of Saint Nazaire
4. Narbonne Gate
The 13th century Narbonne Gate is the main entrance to the Citadel, used by most tourists to access the inside of the ramparts as it has a car park in front of it, and another of the most beautiful places to see in Carcassonne. Built in 1280 by Philip III, it is flanked by two impressive three-level towers and reinforced to repel enemy attacks, and in the subsequent restoration, carried out by Viollet-le-Duc, a drawbridge was added.
Narbonne Gate
5. The Castle, one of the places to see in Carcassonne
Another of the best things to do in Carcassonne is to enter the Count's Castle, the most important building in the citadel.
Built in the 12th century by the Viscounts of Trancavel, this castle was the last defensive bastion of the city. Its most important constructions are its nine 4-storey watchtowers, including the Pinte tower, the small Romanesque chapel, the barbican, the machicolations and a moat that surrounds the castle.
Inside you can visit the different rooms, some with medieval frescoes, and climb up to the top of the ramparts to enjoy the views of the Aude river valley.
A good option to visit the castle is to book this ticket in advance, which also includes skip-the-line access to the citadel walls.
For more information, see this post on how to visit Carcassonne Castle.
The castle, one of the places to see in Carcassonne
Our recommended hotel in Carcassonne
Our recommended accommodation in the city is the Residence Adonis La Barbacane, located 300 metres from the Narbonne Gate. In addition to its excellent location, this aparthotel has spacious rooms, parking and one of the best quality/price ratios in the city.
If you don't mind paying a little more, you can stay at the L'Echappée Belle, located inside the ramparts overlooking the basilica.
Other great hotels include the B&B Les chambres d'Aimé and the Entre Bastide et Cité.
6. Porte d'Aude
The Porte d'Aude, the most beautiful entrance to the citadel next to the Narbonne gate, is another place to visit in Carcassonne.
This gate, in the form of a semicircular arch alternating stone and brick ashlars, has a network of traps and false doors that make it almost impregnable to enemy attacks. If you are staying in the lower part of the city, near the river Aude, it will be the closest access.
Aude Gate
7. Citadel
After visiting all the tourist attractions, we recommend that you leave the map behind and lose yourself in the cobbled streets of the citadel, taking you back to medieval times as you stroll through the half-timbered stone houses and the old guild and craftsmen's quarters.
One of the most charming places to visit in Carcassonne is Auguste Pierre square, where three streets meet and which we are sure will not disappoint you, despite the criticism of many French people for the great restoration carried out by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, based on plans of the time, we believe that the citadel is perfect for immersing yourself in this period of history.
After touring the city, we recommend you try cassoulet, a typical regional stew made with white beans and meat, at the recommended restaurants in Carcassonne La Table d'Alais or L'Escargot.
To wash down the copious dinner, there is nothing better than an evening stroll through the narrow streets of the citadel, when all the organised groups and most of the tourists are gone.
Place Auguste-Pierre
8. Bastide Saint-Louis
Between the Canal du Midi and the Citadel is the New Town known as the Bastide of St Louis and another of the places to see in Carcasonne.
Built in the 18th century, the new town has an important heritage around the Place Carnot, where a market of local produce is held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Other historic buildings in this part of town include the Jacobins' Gate, Saint-Michel Cathedral, Rue George Clemenceau and Saint Vincent's Church.
9. Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi, one of the oldest navigable canals in Europe, is another place to visit in Carcassonne.
This 17th century canal, a World Heritage Site, was used to transport passengers and goods from the Garonne River to the Mediterranean and has a good stretch, of its 260 kilometres, which passes through the city of Carcassonne and where you can take a boat ride or walk along the bank while enjoying unique views of many of the sights to see in Carcassonne.
Canal du Midi, one of the places to visit in Carcassonne
10. Cathar Castles
If you have more time, another of the best things to do in Carcassonne is a day trip to the Cathar Castles.
These ancient fortresses, built on high ground in the south of France, were the result of a crusade by the Pope and the Kings of France against the Cathars, a religious movement branded as heresy by the Catholic Church.
Among the must-see Cathar castles are the Château de Peyrepertuse and the Château de Quéribus, located 80 kilometres south of Carcassonne.
