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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: EUR
- Languages: French, English
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Timezone: Europe/Paris
- Population: Approximately 47,000
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is from May to September for pleasant weather and open attractions.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter France visa-free for short stays up to 90 days. For longer stays or other nationalities, a Schengen visa or appropriate visa is required. Visa on arrival is not available. Electronic visas (e-visas) can be applied for certain categories. US, EU, and UK citizens typically need only a valid passport for tourist visits under 90 days.
About Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a captivating medieval fortified city located in southern France, renowned for its double-walled ramparts and well-preserved castle. Its unique charm lies in the dramatic medieval architecture that transports visitors back in time, making it one of Europe’s most iconic fortified towns. The city’s historic citadel, La Cité, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a glimpse into medieval life with its narrow cobbled streets, towers, and drawbridges. Beyond its historical significance, Carcassonne is vibrant with cultural events, festivals, and local markets that celebrate Occitan heritage. The surrounding region offers beautiful landscapes, including vineyards and the Canal du Midi, perfect for leisurely exploration. Visitors are drawn to Carcassonne for its blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs, families, and travelers seeking an authentic French medieval experience.
Top Attractions
1. La Cité de Carcassonne – The medieval fortress with double walls, towers, and a castle, offering panoramic views and historical exhibits. 2. Château Comtal – The Count’s Castle inside the citadel, featuring a museum and guided tours explaining the fortress’s history. 3. Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus – A stunning Gothic and Romanesque church with beautiful stained glass windows. 4. Canal du Midi – A UNESCO-listed canal perfect for boat rides, cycling, and scenic walks near Carcassonne. 5. Porte Narbonnaise – The main fortified gate of the city, an impressive medieval entrance to La Cité.
Popular Activities
Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the medieval fortress, participate in medieval reenactments and festivals, take boat cruises on the Canal du Midi, cycle or hike in the surrounding countryside, and explore local markets and artisan shops. Cultural experiences include tasting regional wines and attending music or theatrical events held within the fortress walls.
Carcassonne Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Languedoc-Roussillon
- Duration Range: Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the medieval fortress, participate in medieval reenactments and festivals, take boat cruises on the Canal du Midi, cycle or hike in the surrounding countryside, and explore local markets and artisan shops. Cultural experiences include tasting regional wines and attending music or theatrical events held within the fortress walls.
- Group Size: Private or shared tours
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is from May to September for pleasant weather and open attractions. Pack comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets and layers for cooler evenings. Respect local customs by greeting with a polite “bonjour” and dining etiquette. Carcassonne is generally safe, but keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded areas. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is advisable for small purchases and markets.
Average Tour Price: $80
Lowest Price Tour: $39
Highest Price Tour: $250
44 Available Tour Excursions in Carcassonne
We provide unique and very personal half day tours of some of the best wine producers in the Languedoc. Tours are for 2 to 5 people maximum and are tailor-made to your requirements. Tours are lead by our own professional and experienced wine expert who will educate and inform you about wine like few other tour guides can do. Unlike other tours we take you into the heart of the vineyards where you can see and touch the actual vines which make the wines you are tasting at that moment. Our special connections get you access to people and vineyards that few outsiders ever see or meet. We also take you to see some of the best kept sites and secrets of the Languedoc. You will come away with your senses brimming with new experiences, smells and flavours.
Price: $231.08
Duration: 5 hours
During our guided tour, we will discover the mythical narrow cobble streets of this old fortress. The monumentality of the citadel will impress you and I will tell you all the details of its fascinating history. Mysterious Cathars and military architecture will also be mentioned. I will not fail to present you some little anecdotes about the medieval period and we will end with the discovery of the magnificent Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse. I am waiting for you for a entertaining but informative guided tour in Carcassonne!
Price: $201.46
Duration: 1 hours
It is the Perfect tour for nature and heritage lovers… there is some breathtaking landscape and I will tell you more about the Cathars… This tour will also enable you to discover 2 beautiful and picturesque medieval villages. This tour require a good physical condition, and good walking shoes to be able to hike to Montségur castle. Accessible to any person with a good physical condition able to hike. I can lend 4 walking sticks.
Price: $592.81
Duration: 9-10 hours
Gourmet tasting: An unforgettable epicurean experience Embark on a tasting journey with our Gourmet Tasting formula, combining the richness of Languedoc wines with the delicacy of local products. Sit comfortably on our terrace at the foot of the majestic Cité de Carcassonne and be guided by our expert during a guided tasting of eight wines, carefully selected to reveal all the diversity and complexity of regional grape varieties. To enhance this experience, a generous plank of charcuterie and artisan cheeses will accompany your tasting, creating perfect pairings between food and wine. With friends or family, share a warm moment, learn to identify the aromas and be surprised by new associations. Book your tasting and let yourself be transported by the know-how and passion of our winemakers! Tasting open to people aged 18 and over.
Price: $35.55
Duration: 1 hours
Join an exciting 60-minute walking journey through Carcassonne. Learn all the key facts about the city, dive into the local lifestyle, and feel its unique culture. From Château Comtal to Pont Vieux, get to discover the city's most defining landmarks. Your Local will also share insider tips on the best cafes, restaurants, and lively bars in Carcassonne to ensure you get the most out of your stay. • See Carcassonne through a local's eyes, uncovering the city's true essence. • Discover Carcassonne’s legendary fortress and its stunning medieval architecture • Get top local tips on the best bars, cafes, and restaurants to visit. • Maximize your time, discovering more of Carcassonne in less time. • Enjoy the intimacy of a small group, with a maximum of 8 travellers.
Price: $81.77
Duration: 1 hours
Private tour in a comfortable vehicle with an official guide. A true professional with more than 10 years of experience and passionate escort you. You will live the story instead of just being around it. It is an opportunity to discover exceptional landscapes and an incredible history.
Price: $533.27
Duration: 6-7 hours
This tour is the Perfect combination between city break and nature! Enjoy the fervent covered market in Narbonne and the peace and quiet of Gruissan and Lagrasse. Easy walks.
Price: $524.97
Duration: 8-9 hours
This is the perfect tour to go for a city break, Toulouse is a wonderfull and vibrant city, and Castelnaudary as a small town is very charming with the Canal du Midi crossing it. Easy walks.
Price: $524.97
Duration: 9 hours
It is the passion of the history of the Cathar knights and castles that will take you totally into this very strong history of the Algerian crusade. The national speaker guide, who has been speaking for 20 years and is native of the territory, will transport you very quickly into the events and will allow you to really know the strong and exceptional personality of the lords who fought with few means and much courage against a very large army. You will learn in clear terms who the cathars were. You will want to visit the other sites of the Aude that are just as exciting: Cathar castles, abbeys, privateer villages... which will be discussed during the visit.
Price: $231.08
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy this self-guided tour of the Basilica of Saints Nazairius and Celsus in Cité de Carcassonne, exploring the untold tales of Western Christianity. Led by James McDonald, this indoor walking tour unveils mysteries within the Basilique Saint Nazaire et Saint Celse, unravelling history from Joan of Arc to the Crusade against the Cathars. Beyond traditional narratives, discover the nuances of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the influence of Occitan culture, and the profound impact on medieval Catholicism. This tour is an engaging blend of entertainment and academic rigour, enriching your understanding of Christian doctrine within the Basilica's historical embrace.
Price: $19.99
Duration: 2-2 hours
This tour showcases the best of the medieval city with a certified guide. History is revealed along the way and gives you the main historical landmarks to understand this emblematic monument. The walls will reveal secrets of medieval military art. From the exterior we will discover the castle and its court life. Then we will go and observe the incredible stained glass windows of the Saint Nazaire basilica.
Price: $82.95
Duration: 1 hours
It is the Perfect tour for nature, heritage and wine lovers… there is some breathtaking landscape and I will tell you more about the Cathars… This tour has some easy walk except at Minerve where for those who wants to visit everything, you need good walking shoes and the path is steep, accessible to people who are used to walk. We can lend 4 walking sticks.
Price: $524.97
Duration: 8-9 hours
A 2-hour private walking tour, to discover the famous Cité de Carcassonne. Here, you will admire the castle and ramparts at the heart of the medieval city; explore the Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire; and visit la porte Narbonnaise, which was the principal entrance to the Cité. A dream like destination with a romantic ambience, the tour is tailor-made to enchant you.
Price: $343.66
Duration: 2 hours
We will visit buildings, memorials, statues, and places that have a link back to World War 2 and I will share my love of the subject, bringing the history to life by telling you the personal stories about the people involved using many photographs from the archives. The tour is fun, engaging, well-researched, and insightful, but never dry. I look forward to journeying back in time with you! We do not visit La Cité (The medieval castle) We meet at the restaurant the Brasserie de 4 Temps.
Price: $23.70
Duration: 2 hours
This guided tour is private you will not be mixed with other travelers. The tour adapts to your pace. You will experience an immersion in the history of a unique place occupied by man for 2500 years. It is an opportunity to discover the mysterious Cathars and religious convictions that led them to the stake. Relive epic battles of tragedies and moments of glory. Hear a few verses from the medieval troubadours who walked the streets of the city. Understand cathedrals and their architecture. Marvel at the beauty of stained glass. Following an official guide means being guaranteed that he can take you anywhere safely. He will share with you his passion and the secrets of the Medieval City.
Price: $189.61
Duration: 1-1 hours
Enjoy a unique private tour. Accompany a 13th century knight and immerse yourself in the history of the Middle Ages, full of anecdotes and epic stories await you.
Price: $201.46
Duration: 0-1 hours
During our guided tour of the city of Carcassonne, we will discover the mythical alleys of this ancient fortress. The monumentality of the citadel will prevail to you and its 2600 years of history will be told you. Mysterious Cathars and military architecture will also be mentioned. I will not fail to present you a few little stories about the medieval period and we will end with the discovery of the majestic Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse. I'm waiting for you for a fun but informative guided tour! This city, looking like an impregnable fortress, will soon have no secrets for you. Come and read this gigantic book of stone, each page is an enchantment!
Price: $201.46
Duration: 1 hours
The private guided tour of Carcassonne is an opportunity to discover the history of the largest medieval fortress in Europe. Discover its main monuments with the inclusion of entry into the Count's castle and its museum. Discover the route on the walls and Saint-Nazaire cathedral, one of the most beautiful in the south of France.
Price: $164.72
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Carcassonne’s cuisine reflects the rich flavors of the Languedoc region. Signature dishes include cassoulet, a hearty slow-cooked casserole of beans, pork, and sausage, and duck confit. Local specialties also feature fresh seafood, cheeses, and wines from nearby vineyards. Dining customs emphasize leisurely meals with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Noteworthy restaurants include La Barbacane, known for its refined regional dishes, and Le Comte Roger, offering traditional French cuisine in a historic setting.
Getting Around
Carcassonne is accessible by train from major cities like Toulouse and Narbonne, and by car via the A61 motorway. The city has a small airport with limited flights. Local transportation includes buses and taxis, but the historic center is best explored on foot. Bicycle rentals are available for exploring the Canal du Midi and surrounding areas. Transportation costs are generally moderate, with affordable regional train fares and reasonable taxi rates.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is from May to September for pleasant weather and open attractions. Pack comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets and layers for cooler evenings. Respect local customs by greeting with a polite “bonjour” and dining etiquette. Carcassonne is generally safe, but keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded areas. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is advisable for small purchases and markets.
Culture & Customs
Carcassonne’s culture is deeply rooted in its medieval heritage and Occitan traditions. Social customs include polite greetings and a relaxed pace of life. The city hosts annual festivals such as the Festival de Carcassonne, featuring music, theater, and medieval reenactments. Visitors should respect quiet hours in residential areas and dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory.
