10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO SEE IN CARCASSONNE

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This list of the best places to see in Carcassonne, will help you prepare a getaway to one of the most beautiful medieval walled cities in Europe.

Located in the south of France and surrounded by vineyards, this city will transfer you to medieval times while you walk through the cobbled streets of the citadel, which is surrounded by 3 kilometers of a double wall.
After a period of abandonment, which left the citadel in a dilapidated state, it was recovered in the 19th century with a great restoration that made it the largest fortified medieval citadel in Europe and declared a World Heritage Site in 1997 to now be located Among the main tourist claims to see in France, when visited by more than three million people a year.
Although you can see Carcassonne perfectly in one day, we recommend spending the night in the city to be able to walk quietly when the majority of tourists have left.

Based on the experience of our visit during our trip to the Cathar Castles, we have made this list of what we think are the 10 places to visit in Carcassonne essential. We start!

1. Lookouts

One of the Top things to do in Carcassonne It is to get away from the citadel to have an impressive panoramic view of the entire walled city. One of our favorite viewpoints is the one located on the bank of the Aude River, which runs from the Pont View to the Pont Neuf.
Another incredible viewpoint, from where you will get fantastic views of the walled city with the vineyards in the foreground, is located on the opposite side of the citadel. You can walk in about 20 minutes from the Citadel by taking the Chemin des Anglais road and then turning left on the Chemin de la Porte de Fer.

Carcassonne Viewpoint

2. Wall

The double wall of three kilometers with 52 towers that surrounds the citadel, is one of the most impressive places to see in Carcassonne.
The internal wall was built in the Gallo-Roman era at the end of the third century, while the external wall was built during the thirteenth century, by order of Philip III. This space between the two walls, known as liza, was perfect for when the attackers surpassed the first wall being in a vulnerable area without the possibility of protecting themselves from the arrows and the cavalry that left the interior.
You can go around the Citadel in a pleasant walk along the liza, which will allow you to see all the towers, among which are the Saint Nazaire, Tresau, Justice and Bishop, and the 4 main access doors, located each of them in one of the cardinal points.

Carcassonne Walls

3. Basilica of Saint Nazaire

The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, which was built in the 11th century in Romanesque style and finished in the 14th in Gothic, is another of the places to visit in Carcassonne more beautiful. In addition to appreciating the mix of styles, the interior impresses with its magnificent stained glass windows of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries located among the most beautiful in the South of France.

Basilica of Saint Nazaire

4. Narbonne Gate

The Narbonne Gate of the 13th century is the main entrance to the Citadel, which most tourists use to access the interior of the walls when having a parking lot in front, and another of the most beautiful places to see in Carcassonne. Built in 1280 by Felipe III, it is flanked by two impressive three-level towers and reinforced to repel the attacks of the enemies and in the subsequent rehabilitation, carried out by Viollet-le-Duc, a drawbridge was incorporated.

Narbonne Gate

5. El Castillo, one of the places to see in Carcassonne

Another of the Top things to do in Carcassonne is to enter the Condal 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 in which its most important constructions are its 9 4-story watchtowers, which highlights that of Pinte, the small Romanesque chapel , the barbican, the matacanes and a moat that surrounds the castle.
Inside you can explore the different rooms, some with some medieval frescoes and climb high walls 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 walls of the citadel.

El Castillo, one of the places to see in Carcassonne

Our recommended hotel in Carcassonne
Our recommended accommodation in the city is the Adonis La Barbacane Residence located 300 meters 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 walls overlooking the basilica.

6. Aude Gate

The Puerta de Aude, the most beautiful access to the citadel next to Narbonne, is another of the places to visit in Carcassonne.
This semicircular arch-shaped door that alternates stone and brick ashlars has a network of traps and false doors that make it almost impregnable to enemy attacks. If you stay in the lower part of the city, near the Aude river, it will be the closest access.

Aude Gate

7. Citadel

After visiting all the tourist attractions, we recommend you to leave the map and get lost in the cobbled streets of the citadel, during the walk you will move to the medieval era while observing the stone houses with half-timbered wood and tour the old neighborhoods of guilds and artisans .
One of the most charming places to see in Carcassonne is Auguste Pierre square, where three streets meet and we are sure, it will not disappoint you, despite the criticism of many French for the great restoration that architect Eugène Viollet made -le-Duc, based on plans of the time, we believe that the citadel is perfect to immerse yourself in this period of history.
After touring the city we recommend you try the cassoulet, a typical stew from this region made with white beans and meat, in the recommended La Table d'Alais restaurants or in L'Escargot.
To lower the copious dinner nothing better than a night walk through the streets of the citadel, when all organized groups and most tourists are gone.

Auguste-Pierre Square

8. Bastide of St. Louis

Between the Canal du Midi and the Citadel is the New City known as the Bastide of St. Louis and another of the places to see in Carcasonne.
Built in the 18th century, the new city has an important heritage around Carnot Square, where a market for local products is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the morning.
Other historic buildings in this part of the city are the Gate of the Jacobins, the Saint-Michel Cathedral, the George Clemenceau street and the Church of St. Vincent.

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

9. Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi, one of the oldest navigable canals in Europe, is another of the places to visit in Carcassonne.
This 17th century canal, declared a World Heritage Site, was used to transport passengers and goods from the Garonne River to the Mediterranean and has a good stretch, over 260 kilometers long, that passes through the city of Carcassonne and through which You can take a boat ride or walk along the shore while enjoying unique views of many of the places to see in Carcassonne.

Canal du Midi, one of the places to visit in Carcassonne

10. Cathar Castles

If you have more time, another one of the Top things to do in Carcassonne It is a day trip to the Cathar Castles.
These ancient fortresses built in high positions in the south of France, were the result of a crusade of the Pope and the Kings of France against the Cathars, a religious movement qualified as heresy by the Catholic Church.
Among the most essential Cathar castles are Peyrepertuse Castle and Quéribus Castle, located 80 kilometers south of Carcassonne.