A real medieval town free of access 24h/7.
Located on the right bank of the Aude, the City, a medieval town still inhabited, has 52 towers and 2 concentric walls totalling 3km of ramparts. Access is free, day and night, through the Narbonnaise Gate and the Aude Gate, and a large part of the Medieval City can be visited freely. Fully enjoy your visit thanks to the guided tours given by the Tourist Office all year round during the day and in the evening by approved guide !
Find many activities in the Medieval City!
To visit Carcassonne is to take a journey back in time to 2500 years ago…..Nestled at the top of a hill, the Medieval City dominates the whole city and is said to be one of the best preserved medieval ensembles in the world. Come and discover this jewel of our history and stroll through its charming streets and alleys. It is a real immersion in the Middle Ages.
The secrets and history of the Medieval City of Carcassonne are revealed to you by your guide who will tell you the history of this great monument and give you the keys to make the most of it.
A real cultural walk which will allow you to see the medieval city from another point of view…
Discover the medieval city in a different way. The night reveals all the secrets and history of these impressive walls. Follow your guide in the night with your Lanterns. (Only in French)
Located in the heart of the medieval quarter of Carcassonne, this imposing castle was built in the 12th century by the Trencavels and was modified over the following centuries.
Entrance fee of 11€ & Free for under 26 years old for the unguided visit.
Visit with audio guide or a guide possible with supplement
Regular exhibitions and events
The 3rd edition of the festival returns to Carcassonne.
Discover animations in different historical universes installed in the Medieval City of Carcassonne, with games tables, shows and workshops of all kinds on a very specific time.
Many goodies and surprises exclusive to this event are also planned throughout the weekend!
In the heart of the Medieval City of Carcassonne, discover the Medieval Camp of a Lord on his travels to meet his subjects. This lively place offers activities, workshops and demonstrations of various medieval arts.
Free, open access
Discover the architectural gems of the Medieval City of Carcassonne by walking along the streets and ramparts. Don't hesitate to get lost and wander around to discover as much as possible. The history of Carcassonne echoes on the cobblestones and you will feel the medieval atmosphere getting stronger as you go deeper into the heart of the city.
The director of the city’s museums calls for your help in discovering the relics of a mysterious “Order of the Cathar Knights“, as their mystery has lasted for over five hundred years. Join the quest, whose pace is accelerated by the competition of collectors! The director has gathered for you information that was previously kept secret. These will allow you to solve the riddles and finally open the sacred CRYPTEX!
Approximately 1 hour
Free access 24h/7
Start in front of the statue of Dame Carcas
Like King Arthur, Dame Carcas, the famous ruler of the city, also wants to form a secret order to help and advise her and ensure the peace of the city. To do this, she has concocted a series of riddles that you will have to solve to discover the motto and become part of the secret assembly of Dame Carcas.
A fun and educational treasure hunt to discover the medieval city in a different way, made in France and environmentally responsible.
The Medieval City of Carcassonne is ideally located in the city of Carcassonne and in the Occitanie region. With a direct exit from the A61 motorway, an international airport and a TGV / TER SNCF line (train).
But also :
With its typically medieval appearance, the City has been the setting for many film shoots and offers magnificent views of the ramparts and the Bastide Saint-Louis. At the end of the day it is the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Get your cameras out and enjoy!
To walk around the City, don’t hesitate to walk in the Lices, an area set up between the two ramparts allowing you to discover the different characters of the military architecture and to take advantage of the superb viewpoints on the mountains and the Bastide Saint Louis. The string of towers is truly impressive.
“During the Saracen occupation, the Emperor Charlemagne laid siege to the town of Carcassonne. The Saracen king Ballak was killed and it was left to his wife, Dame Carcas, to intervene to save her people.
After five years of siege the last defenders died of starvation, so Dame Carcas set up dummies made of straw and shot crossbow bolts at the besieging army to make it look as there were still plenty of defenders.
All that was left in the city to feed the population was one small pig and a measure of wheat. She decided to force-feed her pig with the remaining wheat and to throw it over the ramparts.
Upon hitting the ground, the pig burst open and from its torn belly came a flood of fine wheat.
Charlemagne immediately raised a siege that served no purpose: there was so much wheat in Carcassonne that they fed the pigs with it! Before the great army left, Dame Carcass called back Charlemagne to make peace. She ordered the trumpets to be sounded – in French, “Carcas sonne”. And so the emperor turned back to receive her allegiance!“
And that is how Dame Carcas saved her people and the town came to be called Carcassonne.
Don’t hesitate to come and greet her at the Narbonnaise Gate.
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