How to Enjoy the Citadel of Carcassonne
The citadel of Carcassonne, located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, is a wonderful example of a medieval town. Surrounded by 13th century ramparts, it offers visitors the opportunity to see many of its original structures, which have been painstakingly restored in recent years. In addition to the castle and cathedral, visitors can also tour the Musée Lapidaire, explore the numerous towers and even take a horse-drawn carriage tour.
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Instructions
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Tour the Basilique St-Nazaire. The history of Basilique St-Nazaire can be traced back to an early church built in the 6th century during the Visigoth era. The current cathedral is commonly considered an 11th-century structure. Construction has continued through the years, with work completed as recently as the 20th century. Today, visitors are treated to a cathedral which shows signs of both Romanesque and Gothic influence and features numerous tombs, beautiful stained glass windows and an enormous 17th century organ. Don’t miss the famous Siege Stone, which offers a scene from the Siege of Carcassone in 1209.
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See Chateau Comtal. Constructed in the 12th century by Bernard Aton Trencavel, Chateau Comtal is literally a castle within a castle. Its five towers and moat protect the chateau, which is now surrounded by the fortified city of Corcassonne. Visitors can tour the chateau independently or with a guided tour which also includes a visit to the Musée Lapidaire. This archaeological museum offers a collection of items from Carcassonne’s past including Roman amphorae and medieval stone missiles.
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Take a walk around the city. A self-guided walking tour can be a great way to see the city. Begin at the Main Entrance, which will allow access to the space between the outer and inner walls, also known as the Lices. Continue through the Old City Entrance which will deposit you onto R. Cros Mayrevieille. Continue straight, following the left turn onto Rue Trencavel and continuing to the ramparts. Turn right and walk towards the Basilique St-Nazaire on R. Dame Carcass, continuing on until you reach Rue St. Louis, where you will turn right. Turn left at R. Viollet le Duc where you will find the entrance to the chateau. This route will offer an easy walk and great sights along the way.
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Visit the Museum of the Middle Ages. This museum is located near the Porte Narbonnaise and offers a multimedia presentation of the town’s history, as well as a scale model of the Roman medieval walled city, costumes, architecture, weapons, and defense techniques used during medieval times. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Tips & Warnings
Visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the fortified city.
Train tours of the ramparts are offered several times a day.
Guided tours of the River Aude and its system of locks are available daily.
Visit the Cour du Midi tower, located in the south-west corner of Chateau Comtal for great views of the surrounding countryside.
The area inside the walled city can be extremely crowed during peak times.
Avoid the tacky souvenir shops located just inside the Old City Entrance.
