Carcassonne
Set on a hill, the medieval city of Carcassonne is the second largest French tourist site after the Eiffel Tower and is rightly included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Carcassonne is just over 30 minutes' drive from the hamlet of Montcabirol, through stunning countryside.
The fortifications surrounding the city look like something from a fairy tale. With its two exterior walls, its fortifications and its towers, it looks more like a castle than a town. Inside the walls there is a maze of small streets full of magnificent old buildings, shops to explore and places to stop for a coffee, a drink or a meal.
Around the city, the ramparts and 52 towers extend for three kilometers. You can make a complete tour of the ramparts, starting your visit by entering through the Château Comtal. Here you can take an audio guide that will enrich your visit with information about the construction and restoration of the walls, and much more.
Visit the Basilica of Saints Nazaire and Celsus, which was built over several centuries, creating a rare blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles. In the choir, the long central square, the glass window is one of the oldest outside northern France.
Carcassonne is not limited to the old town, the lower town is also worth a detour. It is easy to cross the bridge, from where you can admire the magnificent ramparts. Known as the Bastide de Saint-Louis, it was built in the 13th century. Much quieter than the bustling fortress above, the streets are wider and offer a variety of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants.
Start your visit at Place Carnot where restaurant tables spill out onto the square, surrounding the Neptune fountain.
Speaking of restaurants, here are our current five favorite restaurants in Carcassonne.
1. Adelaide
2. Count Roger
5. The Freaks
Do you disagree? Let us know so we can inform our customers.
To find out more about what to do and where to visit Carcassonne, check out these sites:
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