Carcassonne is a city in southern France, best known for its UNESCO World Heritage listed walled city. It can be visited comfortably as a day trip. Among board game enthusiasts, the city may ring a bell as the inspiration for the 2000 German board game of the same name.
Carcassonne is divided into two main parts:
- The Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval fortress settlement with a history that exceeds two and a half thousand years. Picturesque fortifications (over 3 km of walls with 52 towers, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was partly shot here) were reconstructed by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century but, as with most monuments reconstructed in those times, authenticity was not the main objective. It is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- The town centre, known as the ville basse (literally 'lower city'), where the other sights and hotels are located.
The Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval fortress settlement with a history that exceeds two and a half thousand years. Picturesque fortifications (over 3 km of walls with 52 towers, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was partly shot here) were reconstructed by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century but, as with most monuments reconstructed in those times, authenticity was not the main objective. It is listed in the [[Unesco#France|UNESCO World Heritage List]].
- The Cité: historic fortress (built upon ruins predating Christianity) that was featured in the movie Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. Around 20 minutes by foot from the railway station.
- Château Comtal, +33 468117070.
- Carcassonne Cathedral, 52 Rue Voltaire, +33 468251448. The city's magnificent cathedral.
Much to see in this somewhat neglected region of France. Get into the hills and visit little villages like Minerve. Try using the Michelin maps but forsake the red roads and take to the little white roads. You will be rewarded by seeing lovely little places that tour buses etc. never visit.
Carcassonne can also be visited departing from Toulouse.
The Cité: historic fortress (built upon ruins predating Christianity) that was featured in the movie Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. Around 20 minutes by foot from the railway station.
Château Comtal, +33 468117070.
Carcassonne Cathedral, 52 Rue Voltaire, +33 468251448. The city's magnificent cathedral.
Medieval jousting displays are held twice a day between the two walls. Whilst this may sound like a typical tourist activity, this is actually a very impressive and entertaining display of horsemanship and combative competition. Entry is €10 for adults as of Summer 2008 - certainly one of best €10 that we spent on our Summer trip.
- Torture Museum, 17 Rue du Grand Puits, +33 468269522. If you're up to it, this museum is also worth a visit. It's small but filled with torture instruments from the Middle Ages. Not for the squeamish!
There are regular barge trips along the historic Canal du Midi, and these are a very relaxing way of spending some time. The boats leave from the jetty just outside the main train station, and tickets can be bought from clearly signposted vendors at the canal-side (just beside the lock). Multilingual commentary is provided on the history of the canal and the various sights along the way.
Festival de Carcassonne is held in July and August . Around half of July there is huge firework show (second biggest in France).
- Domaine de Pommayrac, Chemin de Pommayrac, Verzeille (Verzeille is 12.5 km south of Carcassonne. From the village, follow signs for Centre équestre, +33 04 68 69 49 60. horse trail riding and horseback lessons and courses, holiday accommodations, restaurant
Torture Museum, 17 Rue du Grand Puits, +33 468269522. If you're up to it, this museum is also worth a visit. It's small but filled with torture instruments from the Middle Ages. Not for the squeamish!
Domaine de Pommayrac, Chemin de Pommayrac, Verzeille (Verzeille is 12.5 km south of Carcassonne. From the village, follow signs for Centre équestre, +33 04 68 69 49 60. horse trail riding and horseback lessons and courses, holiday accommodations, restaurant
Don't leave Carcassonne without trying cassoulet, a local dish made of beans, sausage and duck. Foie gras is also a speciality of the region, so expect it to be on many menus.
There are bars around the train station (la gare) that offer cheap eats. There are a few restaurants on rue Trivalle, the road that connects the town centre with the Cité. Le Trivalou (69 rue Trivalle) has very friendly service and delicious home-made dishes, including cassoulet (€16). There are also quite a few restaurants clustered around the main square inside the Cité, the majority of which have outside tables so you can people-watch and enjoy the buzz of the square on summer evenings!
Budget permitting, there are several excellent restaurants inside the Cité, serving really good regional food. Among them are La Barbacane, Chez Saskia, Restaurant Comte Roger and the Brasserie le Donjon. These all serve divine food and the service is, as you would expect, impeccable.
As Carcassonne can get quite touristy during the summer season, restaurants can become crowded and the prices charged can be a bit over the top. You may therefore wish to eat away from the Cité, perhaps in the town centre instead, or better in one of the enchanting villages away from Carcassonne.
Regional wines.
- Eurl le Bar a Vins, 6 Rue du Plo, +33 4 68 47 38 38. Nice, sheltered, relatively quiet place to grab an ice cream or drink.
Eurl le Bar a Vins, 6 Rue du Plo, +33 4 68 47 38 38. Nice, sheltered, relatively quiet place to grab an ice cream or drink.
- Limoux - Small town south of Carcassonne known for its sparkling wine and Le Carnaval de Limoux, which is a three month carnival held each winter.
Limoux - Small town south of Carcassonne known for its sparkling wine and Le Carnaval de Limoux, which is a three month carnival held each winter.