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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Carcassonne: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Carcassonne
- Carcassonne is Europe's largest citadel, fortified by the Romans and strategically located between Toulouse and the Mediterranean Sea.
- The magnificent citadel walls of Carcassonne protected the city for centuries before being completely restored by the 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
- Regardless of whether or not his work is historically accurate, they are architectural marvels that attract visitors from all over the world.
- You can navigate the streets of the hilltop settlement after discovering every niche, passageway, and parapet, or venture into the less touristy Lower City for lunch or a shopping trip.
- Vineyards, wine caves, ruined castles, and the tranquil green banks of the Canal du Midi are all within a short drive of Carcassonne.
- Capital: Carcassonne
- International Airport: Carcassonne Airport (CCF)
- Population: 47 068
- Currency: the euro
- Time: UTC/GMT +1
- Driving side: Right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: Occitan
- Religion: Christianity
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Carcassonne
- The citadel's streets are a Disney-like dreamland of passageways and winding alleys.
- The Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus was constructed over a period of several hundred years, from the 800s to the 1300s, and it is notable for the way romanesque and Gothic architecture coexist so harmoniously.
- This area of Carcassonne, known as the Bastide de Saint-Louis, was built outside the city walls in the 13th century on Louis IX's orders (known as Saint Louis).
- Until the Episcopal seat was switched at the turn of the nineteenth century, Carcassonne's current cathedral was a simple parish church in the Lower City.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Carcassonne
- Summer: The summer months in Carcassonne are May through September.
- The temperature ranges from 12 to 30 degrees Celsius.
- Winter: From October to April, the weather in Carcassonne becomes increasingly cold.
- The temperature ranges from 3 to 15 degrees Celsius.
- Monsoons: Between October and April, the city receives heavy rainfall.
- The months of October, November, December, and April have the most rainy days, with an average of 12 per month.
- Carcassonne is best time to visit is between May and September and January and March.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Carcassonne
La Cité de Carcassonne
- We'll start with what's on the inside of the walls.
- The citadel's streets are a Disney-like dreamland of passageways and winding alleys.
- The old stone buildings, some with exposed timbers and others clad in ivy, have an appealing lack of symmetry.
- It will be difficult to avoid walking around with your camera pressed against your face.
- Early in the morning, before the tourist hordes and lunchtime, is the best time to visit.
- The majority of the restaurants and crêperies cater to day-trippers anyway, and this maze of streets is best when it's semi-deserted.
Château Comtal and Ramparts
- Carcassonne's double line of fortifications is a marvel from above or below, on the ramparts or inside the walls.
- The invincible walls and 52 towers, which stretch for three kilometers around the old upper city, are rightfully the focus of attention.
- You can take a tour of the Château Comtal, and with an audio guide, you can expect to spend two hours learning about how the walls were built in the 15th century and how they were restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 1800s.
- You can walk the entire length of the battlements, and in the summer, there are even jousting shows for families to watch.
Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus
- This church was constructed over several centuries, from the 800s to the 1300s, and what makes it unique is how well romanesque and gothic design coexist.
- The church's interior, which escaped Viollet-le-intervention Duc's and boasts romanesque sculpture, stonework, and stained glass windows side by side, exemplifies the sense of harmony.
- The long central stained glass window in the choir dates from 1280, making it one of the oldest outside of northern France.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Carcassonne Off the Beaten Track
Carcassonne Lower City
- This area of Carcassonne, known as the Bastide de Saint-Louis, was built outside the city walls in the 13th century on Louis IX's orders (known as Saint Louis).
- The regular grid street-plan, high street shops, the usual French amenities, and the almost complete absence of tourists give La Cité a completely different atmosphere.
- The Fountain of Neptune in the center of Place Carnot is a good place to start your brief tour of this area: there are restaurant tables spilling out onto the square, and the fountain dates from 1770.
Carcassonne Cathedral
- Until the Episcopal seat was switched at the turn of the nineteenth century, Carcassonne's current cathedral was a simple parish church in the Lower City.
- But it's worth a visit because it's a satisfying piece of southern gothic architecture, with an octagonal bell-tower and a lovely rose window, dating from the 13th century.
- It was damaged during the Hundred Years' War and rebuilt with fortifications, as evidenced by the loopholes on the tower.
- In the 1800s, Viollet-le-Duc worked on restoration projects in Carcassonne, and it was his first project before moving on to the fortifications.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Carcassonne Culture and Traditions
- Discover Carcassonne, a town with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Cité and the Canal du Midi and then follow in the footsteps of the Cathars at the tumultuous citadels.
- Holidays in this region are also about learning and being amazed by the museums, caves, mills, and villages, all of which are waiting to be explored independently or on a guided tour led by someone who is passionate about the area.
- Finally, there are the artisans and artists who invite us into their studios or show us their work in the open air.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Carcassonne: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Fitou
#Food
- Fitou is a Languedoc (Aude) appellation that produces full-bodied red wines made primarily from Carignan and Grenache, with small amounts of Mourvedre and Syrah. Aromas of ripe red and black fruits, hints of violets, spices, or herbs, as well as nuances of vanilla and oak that develop with age, characterize these wines.
- Fitou wines benefit greatly from aging, even though they can be enjoyed young.
- These wines pair well with white meat or charcuterie when young, while the well-balanced tannins of aged varieties complement red meat, game, or stews perfectly.
Crémant de Limoux
#Food
- These sparkling French wines are made with varying percentages of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, local Mauzac, and Pinot Noir in the Limoux wine region (Aude department).
- Despite the fact that the region is credited with being one of the first to perfect the method of sparkling wine production in the 16th century, this young appellation was established in 1990 as an attempt to slightly modernize the approach, which was primarily focused on the production of Blanquette de Limoux from Mauzac.
- Fresh, aromatic, and smooth, the lively Crémant de Limoux wines have subtle acidity, fine bubbles, floral notes, and apple nuances.
- They're best served chilled as an aperitif, but they also go well with appetizers, fish, seafood, white meat, and goat cheese, and some rosé varieties may be served chilled.
Blanquette de Limoux
#Food
- These sparkling wines are made in the Limoux wine region in the Aude department, with Mauzac (Blanquette) as the main grape variety and small amounts of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
- The wines are made in the traditional way, with the second fermentation occurring in the bottle. With distinct apple aromas, Blanquette de Limoux wines are crisp, clean, and fresh.
- They're best served cold as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to a variety of appetizers, but they also go well with foie gras and rustic, regional fare.
Fashion
#Fashion
- Despite the fact that Carcassonne is not a shopping destination, it does offer some unique items to take home. Antiques, books, souvenirs, food, and wine are among the most popular items purchased by visitors.
- Carcassonne has two distinct shopping areas: the modern lower city, Bastide Saint Louis, which has a wide range of retailers and bookshops, and the walled Cité, which has more authentic shops and many of which are geared toward tourists.
- In the citadel, there are many small shops and stalls to explore, offering a wide range of souvenirs as well as carefully crafted items and art.
- When you're here, don't miss the markets, where you can sample fresh produce and soak up the Mediterranean vibes; it'll be a treat for all of your senses.
- Les Halles, a covered food market, is a good place to stroll around and learn about Carcassonne's food culture.
- You'll find plenty of shops along the narrow streets that offer a great selection of local and regional wines due to the location, which is in a rich wine-growing region.
- You will undoubtedly find some favorites to take home with you.
JEFF DE BRUGES CARCASSONNE
#Fun
- They are in the heart of Carcassonne's La Bastide (downtown), close to the Canal du Midi and on the main pedestrian lane.
- It's easy to find us because we're the only chocolate chop in a church!
- We'll greet you in English, Spanish, or even Swedish, and show you around our extensive chocolate, almond, and marsipan selection.
- Come try our ice creams, which are regarded as the best in town and are mostly organic.
- We have some tables outside (on the terrace with the blue umbrellas) and some tables inside with air conditioning in the summer.
VINS & VINOS
#Fun
- Vins & Vinos is a small wine shop and wine tour located in the heart of Carcassonne's Bastide.
- They are a group of wine enthusiasts and experts who want to introduce people to the wines of Languedoc and Roussillon while also teaching them about what makes this region so unique in terms of viticulture.
- We offer free wine tastings of over 30 wines ranging from 5€ to 50€ at any given time, as well as a selection of 200 wines to purchase directly.
- Throughout the year, we also offer custom wine tours called Languedoc Vineyard Tours. Our tours are all full-day excursions that depart and return from Carcassonne.
- We can pick up guests from their hotels and B&BS within a 10-kilometer radius of Carcassonne, or from anywhere along the route.
- The number of people on each tour is limited to a minimum of two and a maximum of six.
- Our unique relationship with wineries gives you unrivaled access to the region's best producers, as well as the opportunity to taste and discover the region's best wines and cuisine with our experts.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Carcassonne: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- This strange limestone formation from the beginning of the first tertiary era, located on the montagne d'Alaric, has been dubbed the Bénitiers, or clams, a geological curiosity.
- Water entered and then froze in the, fragmenting the bases and resulting in these strange sculptures.
- There are four Bénitiers visible, all within a few meters of one another.
- Take the road to Monze to get there.
- Turn left towards the river Bretonne after passing over the motorway at the end of the first bend. After crossing the bridge, you'll have the option of taking one of three roads.
- The right road leads to the Paillasses naturist site, while the middle road leads to the Bénitiers after a twenty-five minute climb.
- The pic de Nore, the highest point in the Montagne Noire at 1211 meters, is one of the first buttresses in the Massif Central and provides a unique view above the valleys carved out by the rivers.
- You can even see the Mediterranean in clear weather.
- The mountain is criss-crossed with varied hiking trails, with something for everyone, between pine and chestnut forests, rivers and lakes, between Aude and Tarn, near the Haut-Languedoc Natural Regional Park.
- The dark pine and spruce forests that cover more than 3600 hectares give the Montagne Noire its name.
- You'll also see beautiful beech and oak trees. During the summer, you can cool off in one of the lakes.
- The incredible array of colors in autumn, with ochres, yellows, and reds, will astound you.
- If you enjoy mushroom hunting, you've come to the right place! In the winter, the peaks are often blanketed in snow, making them ideal for walking, sledding, and snowshoeing.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Carcassonne Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- Carcassonne Festival has become one of the most anticipated musical events in the region since its inception in 2006, thanks in part to its diverse lineup of highly sought-after international artists.
- The medieval city hosts around a hundred performances (80 of which are free) of contemporary music, theatre, opera, and dance throughout the month of July.
- On the La Fajeolle Main Stage, at the Jean-Deschamps Theatre, or on stage at the Count's Castle (Château Comtal) in the heart of the city, Elton John, Johnny Halliday, Scorpions, Indochine, Moby, the Smashing Pumpkins, Supertramp, Deep Purple, Olivia Ruiz, and many others have regaled the audience.
- The spectacular setting, combined with the stellar lineup and cutting-edge technology, provides an unforgettable experience for the audience.
- The Carcassonne Festival attracts around 250,000 visitors, making it one of France's largest festivals.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Carcassonne Holiday
Places similar to Carcassonne to visit
Places similar to Carcassonne to visit
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