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Hidden behind its 3 km thick ramparts and protected by 52 towers testifying to more than 2500 years of history, the city of Carcassonne, set on the right bank of the Aude, is the largest fortified city in Europe. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its many historical treasures but also thanks to the Canal du Midi, this magnificent medieval city is one of the most popular destinations in France.
Renowned for its mild Mediterranean climate which guarantees pleasant winters, Carcassonne can be visited all year round. Thus, winter as summer, he is almost certain to be able to visit his medieval city under a beautiful blue sky ! Dominating the lower city, the city of Carcassonne, perched on its hill, is the main tourist attraction of the city. Located about twenty minutes from the station (and therefore easily accessible), the Cathar city is made up of a huge maze of narrow streets and cobbled courtyards lined with shops, terraces and restaurants. Enter via the Porte Narbonnaise (the only gate to have kept its drawbridge) to begin your visit, to discover these emblematic ramparts which make the reputation of Carcassonne. The ideal for beautiful points of view is to opt for a walk along the banks between the ramparts to contemplate superb panoramas on the fortifications and the surroundings of Carcassonne while avoiding the crowd. If there is a monument to visit during your stay, it is the castle Comtal. Built during the 12th century by the Viscounts of Carcassonne, this masterly building has undergone numerous modifications over the centuries, earning it the reputation of being impenetrable. When you visit this castle, you will discover its courtyards, its large rooms, its keep, its museum (and its magnificent sculptures from Antiquity and the Middle Ages), and especially the famous bust of Dame Carcas, whose legend tells that she alone managed to repel Charlemagne's army. History says that during this victory, Lady Carcas decided to ring the bells of the city to celebrate the end of the battle, and so would be born the city of "Carcas Sonne". Continue the visit by a walk on the interior ramparts, from where the panoramas on the city, but also the Black Mountain and the Pyrenees are really superb. After having traversed the smallest corners of the castle, take the direction of the Basilique Saint-Nazaire, another essential of your stay. Rightly known as the "Jewel of the City", the basilica is famous for its sumptuous stained glass windows, among the most beautiful in the region. As beautiful inside as outside, this building mixing Romanesque and Gothic art was built during the 11th century.
But Carcassonne is also a lower town that thrives beyond its ramparts : the Bastide Saint-Louis. With its numerous churches, cathedrals, mansions and museums, it is the perfect place to stroll away from the crowd. Calm and green, the Canal du Midi and its banks are perfect for refreshing excursions on foot or by bike, but also for jogging sessions at daybreak, so as to enjoy the spectacle of the city in the calm of the early morning.
For a discovery of the surroundings of Carcassonne, the ideal is still to rent a bike or to visit by bike the many Cathar sites which mark out Languedoc. Among the long list of monuments to visit, we suggest the Abbey of Saint-Papoul and its magnificent cloister, the Castles of Lastours, Aguilar, Puilaurens (perched at an altitude of 700 metres), Saissac or Peyrepertuse, not forgetting the medieval city of Lagrasse, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France". On hot summer days, the Cavayère lake (15 minutes from Carcassonne) will delight young and old alike ! With its 3 beaches and its water park, it will be possible to you to let you go to long parentheses of idleness in family. You can also swim, pedal boat, water-ski, paddle and wakeboard. A little further on, the Cabrespine abyss is really worth a detour : located in the Massif de la Montagne Noire, it is the world's largest developed abyss with a depth of some 400 metres (you could put the Eiffel Tower, or the equivalent of 4 football fields).
Finally, if Carcassonne and its city are visited, they can also be tasted around good meals honouring the riches of local gastronomy. If there is one dish that reigns supreme on the menus of restaurants in the city, it is the cassoulet. Renowned for its copious side and its recognizable flavors among thousand, it is the emblematic dish of the city. You can also taste fougasse with chips, dry liver, snails with Languedoc, without forgetting local wines such as AOC Malepère and IGP Cité-de-Carcassonne.
Plus d’infos sur la région :
Francine
18/03/2023
The only restaurant on the road in the small village of Thermes. Simplicity, excellent cuisine and welcome in a small haven of nature with local products and home-made.
The Medieval City
Located on the right bank of the Aude river, the medieval city, classified as a World Heritage Site, is home to many craftsmen.
The castle and its ramparts
Let yourself be guided through the ultimate 12th century defence site, the former residence of the Viscounts of Carcassonne.
The Canal du Midi a stone's throw away
Discover the Canal du Midi and the port of Carcassonne around a river walk.
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