Carcassonne

• Getting from terminal to castle

• You can tour all districts of Carcassonne by walking or cycling.

1. Top sights

1.1 Place Gambetta (Gambetta Square)

• It is an open space with two rows of trees, garden beds, plenty of seating, and food kiosks.
• 10 minutes is enough for a quick walk through the park.

1.2 Le Pont Vieux (Old Bridge)

• It was reconstructed in the 14th century.
• It links the two cities of Carcassonne together.
• It is the best place to get wonderful views of the city.

1.3 Chateau et Remparts (Castle and Ramparts)

• A ticket is required.
• Openning hours
• It’s just a 10-min walk, crossing the river Aude on the Pont-Vieux bridge.

1.3.1 The château Comtal

• A one-hour visit with a guide will allow you to understand one thousand years of history in the Cité, its interior and exterior defence system, and the 19th century restoration by Viollet-le-Duc.
• You will admire its Romanesque frescoes, its Roman, Romanesque and Gothic architectural treasures, Lady Carcas, and the city’s archaeological collections.
• Chateau was defended by two barbicans:one to the east, which is now the entrance and ticket office, and the other to the west, towards the Aude, now partially in ruin.
• The exceptional view and photo opportunity of the château, from place Saint-Jean, a restaurant terrace or the small square on la rue de la porte d’Aude.

1.3.2 The Northern Gallo-Roman rampart

• A 20-min visit is enough.
• Its superbly preserved ancient round towers, stunning panoramic views across the Montagne Noire, and 1,000 years of military architecture.
• Exit at Porte Narbonnaise.

1.3.3 The western medieval rampart

• A 30-min visit is enough.
• In the 13th century, Saint-Louis and his successors had a second wall built, with round, often low towers with no roof.
• The bishop’s square tower, the Cathars and the inquisition tower, Viollet-le-Duc’s restoration work, spectacular views across the city, the basilica of Saint-Nazaire, the theatre and the Pyrenees.
• Exit at the Saint-Nazaire tower.

1.4 Cité de Carcassonne (Fortified City of Carcassonne)

• It tooks approximately 3 hours.
• In 1997, UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site because it is an excellent example of a medieval fortified town whose massive defences were constructed on walls dating from Late Antiquity.
• Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed above the Aude plain.
• The city’s three kilometres of ramparts, two fortresses, four gates, 52 towers and arrow slits offer remarkable views of the surrounding area.

1.5 Porte Narbonnaise (Narbonnaise Gate)

• It is the main gate to the city.
• You can access Carcassonne through this gate.
• It was built during the reign of Phillipe III about 1280.

1.6 Porte de l’Aude (Aude Gate)

• It is one of the entrances to the fortress.
• Very picturesque course and magnificent view of the ramparts

1.7 Basilique Saint-Nazaire (Basilica of Saint-Nazaire)

• The “Jewel of the City” (11th-14th centuries)
• Saint Nazaire is an example of the harmonious coexistence between the Romanesque and Gothic, and whose stained glass windows are the most beautiful in the Midi region.
• The Visigoths built the original church on this site in the 6th century.
• Current was completed in the 12th century.
• The Gothic interior architecture and decorations include alternating round and square support pillars, the Saint-Pierre Vault, additional vaults with a Scandinavian influence, and the tomb of Bishop Radulphe.

1.8 Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne (Carcassonne Cathedral)

• This Gothic cathedral dates from the 13th century.
• It was classified as a national monument.

1.9 Place Carnot (Carnot Square)

• 5 minutes is enough for a quick walk through the square.
• It is the central square of the lower town of Carcassonne.
• There is the fountain La Fontaine de Neptune in the middle of the square.

1.10 Gare de Carcassonne (Carcassonne Station)

• It was built in 1857.
• The fortified city is around a 30-45 minute walk, mostly uphill.