[2024 Carcassonne Attraction] Travel Guide for Carcassonne Castle (Updated Nov)
No.1 of Best Things to Do in Occitanie
Castles
Historical Sites
Address:
11000 Carcassonne, France
Opening times:
Open today at 09:30-17:00(Admission ends at 15:45)Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
2-2.5 hours
Phone:
+33 4 68 11 70 70
Carcassonne Castle is a model of European medieval castles. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is internationally renowned. It not only competes with Mont Saint-Michel (Mont Saint-Michel), another famous French attraction, for the most visitors in France. The title has also become the creative prototype of many creators, including the famous German board game "Carcassonne" and the popular Japanese anime "Attack on Titan".
The city of Carcassonne is located on a hill far away from the city, but its unique and towering city walls can be seen from a distance. It is indeed a daunting feeling, and when you cross the two-story towering city wall , what comes into view is an ordinary and quaint town. It turns out to be so ordinary and imperceptible inside the high wall. Only the people guarding the city wall and outside the wall will realize this unattainable existence.
📜Legendary story: It is said that the name of Carcassonne comes from a Saracen lord named Carcas (Lady Carcas). At that time, the city of Carcassonne was surrounded by the army of Emperor Charlemagne, and the city lord also Having died on the battlefield, Madame Carcassonn led the army in the city to create fake soldiers to defend the city of Carcassonne for five years. However, as time passed and the city ran out of ammunition and food, Mrs. Kalka ordered someone to feed a pig with wheat until it was plump and plump, and pushed it down from the city. Charlemagne's army saw that even the pigs that Muslims did not eat were living so well. They said that there was still enough food in the city, so they would waste food feeding pigs that they did not eat. So they decided to withdraw their troops and give up the siege of Carcassonne. When Charlemagne's army withdrew, Lady Calca happily rang the bells throughout the city. Charlemagne's army lamented that Calca was ringing the bells ("Carcas sonne" in French), so it became the name of the place.
🌟Tips: Today, the city of Carcassonne has a total of two entrances and exits. One is relatively complete and has a stone statue of Madame Carcassonne. You can clearly see the structure of the double-story high wall of the castle. It is also the entrance for most tourists to enter and exit the city, but I personally recommend the entrance and exit hidden behind the castle. Although the road is more dilapidated and rugged, I personally feel that being able to see the most beautiful side of the castle will definitely satisfy the medieval knight soul hidden in everyone's heart.
🚗Transportation:
1. Carcassonne has a small airport, but there are not many flights. There are buses from the airport to Carcassonne city. The bus flights are arranged according to the arrival time of the plane. As long as there is an airplane, there will be buses.
2. You can take the train to Carcassonne city
It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Carcassonne city to Carcassonne Castle, but you can see the heroic appearance of Carcassonne Castle along the way, and you will arrive before you know it!
#France #Carcassonne #WorldHeritage #100WaysofTravel #Francetrip
Ming9734
The City in the Sky is waiting for you! Discover the architectural wonders of Toulouse.
🌟Explore the French style - Toulouse, France📍Travel experts' secret spots🔖
After escaping from the dreamy and romantic Paris🏰, I came to the sunny southern city of Toulouse🚢! Known as the "Pink City," it is the most famous aerospace capital in France🛰️ and a world heritage site👍🏼. Follow me to unlock the secrets of this beautiful city!👣
🎨Cultural landmarks:
1️⃣Basilica of Saint-Sernin 🇫🇷: This World Heritage Site is definitely worth a visit. Climb the spiral staircase🚶♂️ and enjoy the beautiful view of the city and the Garonne River! It is even more charming at night when the lights are on!⭐️
2️⃣Toulouse City Hall 🏛️: This Renaissance-style building is home to many art treasures🥇 and exquisite sculptures. Feel the charm of history and art combined.💕
3️⃣Place Saint-Pierre 🕺🏻: The fountain💧 here is a must-see. It is bustling on weekend evenings, with a perfect combination of food🍽️, music✈️, and dance⏰. It is a great place to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere at night🎉
🌳Natural scenery not to be missed:
4️⃣Carcassonne Castle 🏯: The ancient castle near the city is like a fairy tale. The stone walls are surrounded by green trees, like a green gem🍃 shining in the sun. It feels like traveling back to the Middle Ages.⚔️
5️⃣The largest lavender field in Europe 🌻: Every summer, visitors are attracted by the purple sea😍. Don't forget to take a beautiful photo to remember this unforgettable experience! (The best time to visit is July and August)🌼
EMERALD RODRIQUEZ
Medieval Fortress|Carcassonne Castle in Toulouse.
🏰Located in the south of France, Carcassonne Castle in Toulouse is a famous medieval fortress and one of the iconic buildings in Toulouse. Want to learn about French history and culture in one trip? This Carcassonne Castle travel guide will provide you with detailed information! 🌊🌟
📍📍【Guide Step 1: How to Get There】📍📍
🛫From downtown Toulouse, you can choose to drive, take public transportation, or take a taxi to Carcassonne Castle. Driving and taking public transportation both take a long time, while taking a taxi provides more convenient service. 🚗🛳️
🌺🌺【Guide Step 2: Visit Carcassonne Castle】🌺🌺
📸Carcassonne Castle has a wealth of historical sites and fortifications. You can stroll around the castle, admire its ancient city walls and surrounding scenery. In addition, you can also visit the museum and historical exhibition in the castle to learn about French history and culture. 🏞️📸
🌿🌿【Guide Step 3: Historical Sites】🌿🌿
🏮Carcassonne Castle is a historic fortress with many ancient city walls, towers, and city gates. Visit these sites to learn about the history and fortifications of Carcassonne Castle. 🏛️📚
🍽️🍽️【Guide Step 4: Taste Delicious Food】🍽️🍽️
🍴There are many local specialties near Carcassonne Castle, such as French foie gras, desserts, etc. Why not try local dishes and experience French food culture. 🍹🥘
🛏️🛏️【Guide Step 5: Accommodation Recommendations】🛏️🛏️
🏨There are many hotels and homestays near Carcassonne Castle, providing a comfortable accommodation environment. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during the peak tourist season. 🌙🏞️
🌟🌟【Conclusion】🌟🌟
🏰Carcassonne Castle is a historical treasure in Toulouse. Its solemnity and beauty will surely leave a deep impression on you. I hope this guide can help you plan an unforgettable trip to Carcassonne Castle. 🛫🌍
LumiKokko
Every corner of the castle hides a little miracle.
①⛳There is a World Heritage Site here: Carcassonne, the largest castle in Europe
Today, the Aude River divides the city into two
The new city on the west side has many hotels and restaurants
The old city on the east side has been silent for thousands of years
When the car drove across the Aude River, it seemed to enter a medieval dream
②⛳
In the distance, 52 towers and a 3-kilometer-long city wall stand straight in the sun
The majestic castle is located on the top of the mountain
Towers and moats are symbols of military fortresses for thousands of years
③⛳😄▫️Cross
After passing through the outer city wall, it seems to enter a medieval town
Inside, there are old houses, churches and street layouts
I bought a ticket to visit the castle
Then go up the majestic and continuous city wall
For two thousand years, I have seen one after another bloody power struggle
It is more shocking than any castle in a big production movie
This momentum is rooted in the life and death seen over the centuries
④⛳Walk down the city wall and return to the noisy tourists
Immediately pulled back from the medieval dream
History will not go back
⑤⛳It is more than an hour's drive from Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France. The famous medieval castle Carcassonne is the prototype of the Winter City in Game of Thrones, which is spectacular and magnificent. No girl can refuse the castle.
⑥⛳It takes about 2-3 hours to stroll around the castle. The best place to take pictures is not inside the castle, but outside the wall. Few people have a good view, and no one does your background board, princesses, please play well.
⑦💃The princess dream is spoiled, and the queen's heart is spelled out. May the beautiful girls who are reading this article have endless princess dreams and unbeatable queen hearts
MidnightSiren
It's all about verifying your preconceived notions about a place.
🇫🇷Toulouse|You must come to see the sunset in the Pink City
📍Saint-Sernin Basilica⛪️
📍Jacobins Convent⛪️
📍Musée des Augustins
📍Capitole de Toulouse➕Place du Capitole
📍Carcassonne Castle🏰
Except for the castle, which is a bit far away and needs to be taken out for a day
The others are all in the city center and can be arranged to be visited in one day
🔆‼️‼️Key point
You must take the cable car at sunset!🚠❤️🔥
Absolutely beautiful❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️
Buy a three-day public transport pass🎫 when you arrive
Then get a public transport route map egP3
The pink line below, téléo cable car🚠
Is part of Toulouse's public transport
The pass is free to ride‼️🆓
Actually, no matter what culture the visitor comes from
It's all about verifying your preconceived notions about a place
Rather than starting from scratch on a cognitive adventure
So I need that kind of random, cognitive-breaking stimulus
This may also be one of the reasons why I gradually became a P person from a J person
The fact that the cable car is included in public transport is quite novel
Plus, the weather in Toulouse is really good
Clear skies and romantic, beautiful sunsets☀️
In Bordeaux, where it rains every day, it's a rare sight
Blissful doufu
Of History and architecture
We were part of a day tour from Toulouse to Carcassonne. And the castle was one of the stops we made during the tour of this lovely medieval city. The location is especially nice. The view from ramparts is worth the time and you see a panorama of the country side.
In terms of the castle experience, what makes a large difference is the guide. Because it provides some fascinating insights into the history and legends associated with the castle. We were also told of a light show that takes place in the evenings. And from what i have heard, it is an even better way to experience this castle. Overall, a place worthy of visit.
#myhiddengems #france #summerdestinations #castle #100waysoftravel #cherryblossom2024 #europe #carcassonne
Freebird_Grace
Carcassonne City Day Tour
#citydaytours
Carcassone is a wonderful medieval city that makes for a nice trip from Toulouse. There are people that also stay here overnight to be able to experience the Carcassonne castle's light show. However, Toulouse is far more comfortable for staying with wider options. So, I did a day tour of Carcassonne. I had the option of taking a bus tour, the benefit being that then all my transport would be sorted. But i preferred taking my time and so visited the city on my own. In terms of travelling by train. It is recommended that you get an intercity or a tgv. It will cost you just under 10 euros and it'd be a 45 minute ride. If you have a similar day trip plan. Perhaps taking cues from my day trip would help. Here is what it looked like :-
1) Castle and Ramparts : The most obvious thing to do in Carcassonne was to tour the castle and the ramparts in the medieval city. This is the upper part of the city. I recommend getting an audio guide. It will improve the castle experience and understanding to a great extent.
2) Canal Du Midi : Next we follow this up with a walk along the canal du midi. The same canal that passes by Toulouse, passes by Carcassonne as well. It is one of my favourite activities in Toulouse. Also here, you have the opportunity to take a boat tour. Which will orient you with the different sceneries as the canal is pretty long and covers a good deal of the city.
3) Local Lunch : While it is the lunch hour, grabbing a bit would help recharge. I tried a lunch set at a local restaurant. Like with most of France, the food experience in Carcassonne too was delightful.
4) Old City : After lunch it is time to explore the old city. You’ll want to visit Saint Nazaire Basilica, a pretty church from both the in and outside, as well as the Dame Carcas bust on the outside of the city walls. And inside there is also a museum and shops to explore.
5) New city : As the evening approaches, now we will explore the new part of the city. This is more local and you will find less tourists. Here you can see the Andre chenier square, Saint Michel cathedral, St Vincent church and the Calvary Garden. By this time you will have seen plenty of satisfying sights and you should head back to the station for the train to Toulouse.
#myhiddengems #carcassonne #summerdestinations #france #100waysoftravel #europe #daytours #citytour
Freebird_Grace
Carcassonne Medieval Castle
Carcassonne, I had hardly heard of it before. When planning the trip and researching, I discovered that Carcassonne has a medieval castle, and I didn't have high expectations for it. Having visited quite a few castles in Europe, I imagined they would all be more or less the same. However, when the Carcassonne Castle came into view, it was somewhat shocking. Atop a rugged rocky mountain, built following the terrain, stood the uneven and towering battlements, thick walls, and sturdy towers. From a distance, Carcassonne Castle looks like something out of a fairy tale, a true medieval castle scene, which can be described as 'stunning' and is sure to leave a lasting impression. It is said to be the most popular tourist attraction in Languedoc.
The castle has defensive fortifications, with the town enclosed in the center, surrounded by numerous battlements and 52 stone towers. The towers' unique 'witch hat' shapes are said to have been added by the architect Viollet-le-Duc during the 19th-century restoration. The main gate, the Narbonne Gate, leads to the castle's interior maze-like cobblestone alleys and courtyards, which today are filled with businesses and restaurants serving tourists.
For many centuries, the hilltop where the old town is located was occupied by Gauls, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Franks, and Cathars, among others, as a fortress to strengthen the defense. In 1659, when Roussillon was annexed by France, it no longer played an important role as a frontier fortress and gradually fell into decline.
The castle features a concentric design, with double walls and defensive towers to withstand the attack of siege engines. At the main gate, the Narbonne Gate, one can still see the drawbridge that would be raised during times of turmoil. The castle's second gate, the Aude Gate, was partially damaged in 1816 and no longer has a drawbridge.
Visiting the castle is free, but within the ancient castle is the Count's Castle, which requires a separate ticket for admission. Due to limited time, if one were to visit every attraction, the cost of tickets would be considerable. For trips like mine, driving by car, except for staying more than two days in big cities, it's basically one city per day. Even if there were mines, there wouldn't be enough time, and most cities are just for sightseeing and checking in.
Inside the old castle, there is also a church, the Church of Saint-Nazaire, with its stained glass windows and delicate, elegant round patterns, offering a beautiful experience.
Outside the old castle, the Old Bridge spans the River Aude, originally built in the 15th century and restored in the 19th century. At the end of the bridge, there is a unique small chapel, which feels a bit special and is worth exploring the story behind it. The Old Bridge leads to the city of Carcassonne, where buildings, small squares, and church relics can also make one linger.
Tired, I'll just post pictures, which better illustrate the beauty of Carcassonne.
TRENTON CALDWELL
Visit Carcassonne Castle in winter
Carcassonne stands tall on a rugged rocky hilltop, with uneven and towering battlements, solid walls, and sturdy bastions. Carcassonne Castle, the largest medieval fortress in Europe, has endured over two thousand years of history. It fits most people's perfect imagination of a medieval castle and is an impressive sight.
The fortified town is surrounded by two sets of battlements and several stone towers, topped with unique 'witch hat' roofs. The main gate leads to a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys and courtyards inside the castle, which are now mainly lined with shops and restaurants.
To walk along the walls, you must purchase a ticket (9.5 euros) to enter the Count's Castle. The Carcassonne Tourist Office operates regular 1.25-hour old town walking tours (adult/child 6/5 euros), but unfortunately, it was the off-season in winter, and I couldn't enter the main castle.
An additional surprise was the fantastic Michelin meal I had in the old town, without having to wait or queue.
Abigail Ashford
The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval citadel located in the French city of Carcassonne, in the department of Aude, Occitanie region. It is located on a hill on the right bank of the River Aude, in the south-east part of the city proper. The walls of the city are 13 km long. For travelers visiting Carcassonne Center, Cote Cite is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation.
Hiker
It is only 5 km from the castle of Peruturde to the ancient city of Carcassonne, which is so famous because it is the representative of the city of Carcassonne.
The ancient castle in Carcassonne is known as the largest and most preserved castle in Europe. It has a double wall of inner city and outer city. The inner wall is a Roman-style city block and the outer wall is a Gothic wall. The medieval castle is a solid soup. The shape of the castle often appears in cartoons.
Through the suspension bridge, enter the Nabones Bridge Gate, through the ancient street, you can reach the town center, stroll on the stone road in the Middle Ages, or walk around the ancient wall, the deep medieval style can not help but think of the Middle Ages Knight hero. Listen to the locals telling the story of the Romans occupying the castle or other castles, and the beauty and heavenly tranquility of the creation.
Sasha.
The castle was built in 1620. The owner of the castle, Bernard Perutitier, was appointed by the then young French King Louis XIII as the Minister of State Finance, and was highly appreciated by the King, thus opening the glory of the castle.
1910, the last Pei girl in the Peruturian family, Pauler Perutiye, inherited the castle. She then married the Christian Count of Brittany, Christian Rogeri. The manor and the winery have since been marked by Rogery.
In 1987, Nikola, the contemporary master of the castle, took over the castle and winery from his parents, continuing the castle that has been inherited for 10 generations and has a history of nearly 400 years. This castle is also open to the world along with its winery.
Sasha.
Carcassonne Carcassonne Castle is situated on a hill with towering walls, walls and turrets. From a distance, it is like a castle in a fairy tale, a typical medieval castle. Carcassonne Castle is not like other castles, it is like a royal family. It is more like a fortification. There are churches and houses in the walls of the castle. So this makes the Carcassonne castle so special that it can't be photographed at close range. Can only make drones!
From the 1st century AD, it became the fortress city of ancient Rome. The Romans occupied it until 460 AD, and then the Visigoths seized it and ruled for two and a half centuries; around 725 AD, the Arabs captured and ruled the place until the ancient castle of Carcassonne in 759 AD. Return to the embrace of the Frankish kingdom.