Carcassonne

The superb Chateau Comtal, an historic castle and ramparts which have earned UNESCO World Heritage status, lies nestled in the heart of the city of Carcassonne. The hilltop castle was once the stronghold of the Counts of Carcassonne back in the early 12th century. The impressive edifice towers over the town, forever reminding visitors of the power and authority of its owners. This Greco-roman and medieval stronghold fell into ruins and was on the verge of demolition in the late 1800’s, when a 50-year program of restoration took place. A vast repertoire of myths and legends surrounds the castle and ramparts, which are best toured with an expert guide who will bring the past to vibrant life.

Chateau Comtal, 11000 Carcassonne, France, Phone: +33-468-11-70-70

Located a short distance outside the Carcassonne Citadel, La Bastide was built in the 13th century and was once also surrounded by fortified walls. Today La Bastide is a very lovely precinct where ancient buildings and cobbled lanes beg to be explored on foot. The stately The Jacobin Gate was built much later, in the 18th century, to replace an ancient gateway, complete with drawbridges, which was no longer considered attractive. Originally there were four entrance portals to La Bastide, but now only the Jacobin Gate at the southern entrance remains. The gate was completed in 1779 and was once adorned with the royal coat of arms, but this was destroyed during the French Revolution.

The Jacobin Gate, Rue Courtejaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France

The very beautiful Basilica of St. Nazaire is definitely deserving of a place on your tour of Carcassonne, and is essential viewing for anyone interested in ancient architectural styles. Here you can spend some time admiring an ingenious marriage of Romanesque and Gothic styles which compliment and complete each other throughout the church. Essentially built in the Romanesque style in the 10th century, the church was enlarged in the 12th century by the addition of a 6-bay Romanesque nave. Then, in the 13th century, the nave was enlarged in the Gothic style. The most prominent feature of the interior is the magnificent stained-glass windows which are best viewed in the morning or evening to take advantage of the light.

Basilique St. Nazaire, La Cite, Place Saint-Nazaire, 11000 Carcassonne, Phone: +33-468-25-27-65

Lac de la Cavayere (Lake Cavayere) is located a short distance from the Carcassonne Citadel, where it offers a wonderful outdoor recreational area for locals and visitors. Together, the lake and the Leisure Complex cover over 40 hectares of protected forests, offering a wide variety of activities. You can walk or cycle around the perimeter of the lake along a 5km trail or spend your time relaxing on one of three sandy beaches. Daredevils will enjoy the aerial forest skywalk, while water sports enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of fun activities on the water, including paddling, water games and a ski lift. You can bring along a picnic and spend a wonderful day surrounded by nature.

Lac de la Cavayere, Route de la Cavayere, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Another must-see Carcassonne attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts, St. Vincent’s Church is a fine example of classic Gothic Languedoc style. The main architectural features of the church are an impressive vault and an octagonal tower which rests on a square base. The top of the tower houses a carillon of 47 bells – you can walk up the 232 steps for sweeping views of the city. The interior is rich in historic gems including four 14th century statues of St. Vincent, St. Louis (the founder of Carcassonne) and two apostles, beautiful paintings and stained glass windows. The church is included in most of the popular guided Carcassonne walking tours or you can explore at your own pace on a self-guided tour.

St. Vincent’s Church, 79 Rue du Dr Albert Tomey, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Many myths and legends surround the origins of the name Carcassonne and your visit to this medieval city would be incomplete without exploring the most common myth which involves Lady Carcas. Modern historians believe that Lady Carcas is a fictional character, but legend has it that she was the widow of one of the Saracen’s chiefs back in the 12th century. It is believed that when the citadel was attacked by Charlemagne, Lady Carcas came up with an ingenious ploy to fool the enemy into thinking that they would be outnumbered by the many knights inside the walled city. The best way to learn all the details would be to join a guided tour which includes the Lady Carcas statue at the famous city drawbridge.

Lady Carcas Statue, 11000 Carcassonne, France

Considered to be one of the most beautiful and efficient medieval city gates in France, the Narbonne Gate has stood strong and true since 1280. The gate protected the widest (and most vulnerable) gateway to the citadel, and the only one which could admit carriages. History and architecture enthusiasts will be fascinated by the remarkable degree of engineering and design that went into the building of this defensive structure, which historians believe was able to accommodate and protect an entire garrison from siege. Highlights include the beautiful towers, enormous fireplaces for heat and cooking, and a huge tank for collecting water. The gates are best appreciated by joining a guided walking tour.

Narbonne Gates, 11000 Carcassonne, France

This unexpected Australian-themed wildlife and recreational park is located between Toulouse and Montpellier and is an ideal attraction for families visiting Carcassonne. Here you and your children can join a guided interactive tour to see some of the very unusual Australian animals which are cared for by the park. You will also have a chance to interact and feed some of the animals, learn how to throw a boomerang or play the didgeridoo. The park is quite small and you will find you can easily explore it in about 90min to 2 hours, although children will probably want to stay longer.

Le Parc Australiene-Australian Park, Chemin des Bartavelles, 11000 Carcassonne, Phone: +33-468-25-86-83

Thousands of tourists set off to explore the beautiful Canal du Midi on houseboat vacations each year. However, if you are visiting Carcassonne it is easy to hop aboard a cruise boat to experience some of the majesty for a few hours. The famous Canal du Midi has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and stretches for over 240km through the beautiful French countryside, navigable via sixty sluice gates. Cruises from Carcassonne vary from 90min to nearly 3 hours and some of them include on-board meals/snacks or a romantic picnic at the Foucaud Gardens along the way. You can board your leisure cruise right beside the Carcassonne train station.

Not only is Carcassonne one of the most beguiling medieval walled towns you will every visit but it also has the distinction of being surrounded by superb natural beauty which you can discover on foot. Hiking The Hill of Pech Mary offers both a pleasant outdoor excursion and the promise of excellent views of the citadel from the summit. The walk is partially shaded by the beautiful pine trees of the arboretum and you will be able to admire a variety of flora and fauna as you make your way to the view point. The loop circuit of 7.5 km from the Narbonne Gate should take you around 2 hours to complete.

The Hill of Pech Mary, 11000 Carcassonne, France