Carcassonne

South France is a really fabulous country. If you are traveling to this side, I recommend visiting Carcassonne. This incredible town should not be skipped from any touristic tour around South France.

These lands will fascinate you with the medieval atmosphere that makes you feel like in a fairy tale as all Carcassonne seems like animated pages of a fabulous kids’ book.

If you wish to have a photo shoot in Carcassonne or in any other town of France you can visit this page to check the details.

Carcassonne is the biggest in Europe citadel town of medieval architecture fortified by the Romans in the strategic location between Toulouse and the Mediterranean Sea. The castle of Carcassonne located on the abrupt hill and is surrounded by double fortification. It towers here for more than two thousand years! This fortified settlement is surrounded by the two rounds of steeples and 52 stone towers with original roofs added in the 19th century by famous Violett-le-Duc and named a “wicked witch”.

Besides the Carcassonne Castle, which is the key touristic attraction, there are more landmarks worth to see in this city. If you have arrived by train, on your way to the castle you can walk along Andre Chenier Garden, the Catholic Church Carmelite, Place Carnot, The Cathedral and only after you have admired the stunning view of the citadel from the bridge Pont Vieux continue your way to the Carcassonne Castle.

The citadel is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You need to allocate 2 hours for the internal tour because the territory of the castle is really huge. The entrance fee is 9 EUR for the entire day.

The tour around the castle is going along the top of the fortress wall and is passing through various towers and a museum that has been opened here since 1961. Please, be aware, that in the end you will exit from the opposite side.

Though the majority of tourists come to Carcassonne to see the castle, it is really worth to have a walk around the city itself. Try the most delicious French ice-cream, have a look at some hand-made stuff being sold by the local traders, dine in one of its cute patios and observe the panoramic view of the city during the sunset!

Carcassonne is 80 km away from Toulouse and an easy way to get there is by train or bus.

Travelling fees are the following: Toulouse –> Carcassonne one way ticket is 15 EUR for the train and 8 EUR for the bus. The trip is around 1 hour.

You can buy a ticket online by using this link. There is no need to print the ticket as the digital ticket in your phone is enough.

From Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux and Barcelona there are trains and buses.

Montpellier - > Carcassonne: 12 EUR by bus (1,5 h), 20 EUR by train  (1,5 h)

Marseille - > Carcassonne: 25 EUR by bus (3 hrs), 50 EUR by train (3 hrs)

Bordeaux - > Carcassonne: 20 EUR by bus (5,5 hrs), 35 EUR by train ticket (3 hrs)

Barcelona - > Carcassonne: 20 EUR by bus (4 hrs), 30 EUR by train (2,5 hrs)

You can buy tickets using this link.

UK and Belgium have air connection with Carcassonne.

Ryanair lowcoster has a 20 Euro offer. Carcassonne airport is only 10 minutes away from the city center.

If you are planning to go to Carcassonne by train or by bus, I recommend to you the hotels in the area around the Railway Station. You can get to the Castle by walk from there. It is better not to carry along your bags as the public transport is not very frequent.

In case you have chosen to go to Carcassonne by car to enjoy the medieval atmosphere around you, it is better to pick one of the hotels on the territory of the Castle.