To visit Carcassonne is to discover the famous city of Dame Carkass, with its famous castle and its ramparts. Regularly ranked in the Top 5 of the most visited most visited cities in France, it is a must-see destination if you want to spend a day if you want to spend a day or a weekend in the sun in the south of France France.
What are the things to do in Carcassonne that don’t require you to open your wallet? Well, you’ll find plenty to do in this walled city without spending a cent!
We have selected for you 15 things to do and see in Carcassonne during your stay. Enjoy your reading!
Before we start, here are our 2 favorite visits and activities in Carcassonne
- ❤️ Join a superb guided tour of the medieval walled city and discover the human and architectural history of this site. Enter the medieval castle and museum and contemplate the spectacular ramparts. Book here
- 30 minutes from Carcassonne, discover the rich French wine tradition of Limoux. Explore an estate dating back to the 16th century. Taste 3 premium wines after touring the vineyards, winery and cellar. Make a reservation here.
Table des matières
Wander through the streets of the medieval city
Nothing is more free and than strolling the streets of the old medieval city of Carcassonne! Nestled atop a hill and surrounded by ramparts we invite you to stroll through these charming and picturesque charm
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is internationally renowned and you will be honored to be among the millions of visitors it receives each year
The walled city is surrounded by two sets of battlements and 52 stone towers, topped with “witch’s hat” roofs (added by architect Viollet-le-Duc during 19th century restorations). Note that in order to actually walk on the ramparts, you must pay to enter the Castle and Ramparts.
Maybe that’s also why Carcassonne appeals so much to tourists: most of the things to do and see are most of the things to do and see are grouped within these walls, so take advantage of it!
Address: La Cité Médiévale, 11000 Carcassonne
Website : https://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/decouvrir/la-cite-medievale
What to visit for free in Carcassonne? The Saint-Nazaire basilica
Then, still within the medieval city, we suggest you visit the Saint-Nazaire basilica, a religious building built at the beginning of the 11th century and whose construction extended until the 13th century. What makes it special and worthy of interest is the way in which Romanesque and Gothic architecture coexist in perfect harmony!
Nicknamed “the jewel of the city”, the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire is famous for its magnificent stained glass windows, which are among the most beautiful in the Midi. It is worth seeing for its slender gothic transept and its bright rosettes rosettes. Often you can even hear traditional songs, so so lend an ear!
Address: La Cité, Place Saint-Nazaire, 11000 Carcassonne
Website: http: //www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/preparer/voir-faire/sites-et-monuments-a-visiter/358147-basilique-saint-nazaire
What to see for free in Carcassonne? The Cavayère lake
Twenty minutes by car or bus from the city is a lake formed by a dam built in 1988, which we invite you to visit: the Lac de la Cavayère. It is surrounded by 40 hectares of pine forest, and the lake has three small beaches, two of which are sandy and one grassy, and all sorts of things to do in the summer: swimming, sunbathing, walking in the surrounding forest… and all of it free!
Motorboats are not allowed on the waters, which allows to keep peace. You can also have a picnic with your family on the benches under the pine trees!
Address: Direction Montlegun/Lac de la Cavayère, Chemin des Bartavelles, 11000 Carcassonne
Website : http://leparcaustralien.fr/
The Old Bridge
Until the 19th century, this bridge was the only way to access the fortress medieval city from the bastide Saint-Louis (another name given to the lower city) to the lower city). It offers an incomparable view on the city of Carcassonne, to take some wonderful pictures! It is located at the end of the of the island and spans the river Aude.
Today, the Pont-Vieux is reserved for pedestrians and you can walk for free! If you come to Carcassonne by car and you want to park your car want to park your car close to the sights, we suggest you park at the to park your car at the FC de Carcassonne parking lot, a 2-minute walk from the Pont-Vieux and 10 minutes walk from the Cité. And it’s free!
Address : Rue du Pont Vieux, 11000 Carcassonne
Website : https://www.carcassonne.org/article-page/pont-vieux
The Saint-Michel cathedral to see for free in Carcassonne
The cathedral Saint-Michel of Carcassonne is a free place of entry that we invite you to go and admire ! It was built in the 13th century in honor of Saint-Michel and was fortified over time. It is located in the commercial district of the bastide Saint-Louis.
Its architecture of style gothic style surprises its visitors by its aspect of fortress, which goes perfectly with the atmosphere reigning in Carcassonne! It was not restored in the XIXth century like some monuments of the city: it is still so it is still in its juice.
Address : 52 Rue Voltaire, 11000 Carcassonne
Website : http://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/
The Aude Gate
The second gate of the medieval city, the Porte d’Aude, was partially destroyed in 1816 and no longer has its drawbridge. It shows however a preserved part of the ramparts and offers a breathtaking view on the river Aude!
It is a monument of Carcassonne that we recommend you to go and admire, as it is free to observe!
If you are coming from below, for example from the bastide Saint-Louis, and you want to want to go to the Cité, you can use this entrance. Be careful however, because the ascent that leads to it is a bit steep.
Address: 30 Côte de la Cité, 11000 Carcassonne
Website: http: //remparts-carcassonne.fr/
The Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in the 17th century originally to transport water from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean century to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. It passes through Carcassonne, just north of the lower town.
Still free of charge, we invite you to walk along the invite you to walk or cycle along the banks of the Canal du Midi or by bike: it is a must-do activity in Carcassonne, especially during the warm season! What’s more, the site has also been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of UNESCO, a proof of its high patrimonial value!
Address : Promenade du Canal, 11000 Carcassonne
Website: https: //www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/decouvrir/le-canal-du-midi
The Bastide Saint-Louis
On the left bank of the Aude river is the Basse-Ville, also called Bastide Saint-Louis. This medieval bastide is protected by an astonishing defense system protected by an astonishing defense system and constitutes the current living center of Carcassonne, where you will be able to meet many local craftsmen in the free of charge!
At the southern end of the bastide Saint-Louis, you will find the Porte des Jacobins, the only one of the four main gates of the ramparts that has survived to this day. It was built around 1365 and was rebuilt in 1779.
Here are some suggestions of free visits to make in this area that we invite you to make: the Notre-Dame de la Santé chapel (start of the road to Santiago de Compostela), the City Hall, the The Jacobins Gate, the Halles… and many more!
Address : 11000 Carcassonne
Website : https://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/decouvrir/la-bastide-saint-louis
The Narbonne Gate
The Narbonne gate, dating from the 13th century, is the main entrance to the city the city. Pay attention to the details that make it up, because you will find there sandstone sculpture of Dame Carkass, the imaginary heroine of a local legend that reveals the heroine of a local legend that reveals the fantastic origin of the name Carcassonne. According to the legend, it was she who was able to defend and save the city against the troops of Charlemagne’s troops.
If possible, we invite you to walk along it by day and night, because because the atmosphere is not the same at all!
Address: 8 Rue Cros Mayrevieille, 11000 Carcassonne
Website : http://www.remparts-carcassonne.fr/
The Saint-Gimer church
Right next to the Comtal castle, at the of the medieval city, we also encourage you to visit the church of Saint-Gimer to the Saint-Gimer church : it is a religious building of Gothic inspiration by Viollet-le-Duc, which is located not far from the river Aude and the river Aude and the Pont-Vieux.
A parking lot located below (Parking L’Cité 2) will allow you to park your car for a visit visit in complete peace of mind!
Address : Place Saint-Gimer, 11000 Carcassonne
The Camin del Garric park
In the green district of Of Carcassonne, the island, below the city, invites you to walk in its immense green its immense lung of greenery that is the park Camin del Garric. In the shade of the trees, stroll along the Aude river! If you have children, it also has a beautiful also has a beautiful and large playground to allow them to relax and and let off steam.
All in all, a nice haven of peace in the heart of the city!
Address: Camin del Garric, 11000 Carcassonne
Website: https: //www.pres-dici.com/sorties/parc-jardin/
Place Carnot
The Place Carnot is a no-cost place for your escapade in Carcassonne: the tables of the restaurants do not fail to surround surround this place, which also counts the Fountain of Neptune, in the center Neptune, in the center, dating from 1770.
To best appreciate the atmosphere of the city, we suggest you go there on Saturday mornings, market day, where you can wander among the stalls of artisans displaying their fresh products!
In summer, during the Carcassonne Festival, bands come to perform. This is a lively place in Carcassonne that reflects the soul of the South, so don’t miss it!
Address : Place Carnot, 11000 Carcassonne
Website : https://www.carcassonne.org/lieux/place-carnot
Les Halles
Coming down from the medieval city take the rue de Verdun and walk along it for about ten minutes until you reach until you reach the Halles Prosper Montagne de Carcassonne (you will pass the tourist office (you will pass the Tourist Office, so take the opportunity to go fishing for for information!).
There, we suggest you to to take advantage of the coolness of the place to stroll among the stalls of the local craftsmen and local merchants who, with their warm southern welcome, will make you taste their their products and discover their culture! So even if you don’t buy anything even if you don’t buy anything, go there anyway to soak up the atmosphere of the of the city.
Address : 23 Rue Chartrand, 11000 Carcassonne
Website Internet : http://www.halles-de-carcassonne.fr/
The Carcassonne Festival
Three weeks of music, dance and theater in the heart of the medieval city are waiting for you! The festivities often take place in early July, at the end of the hot summer days
Also, the program is quite incredible, and there is something for everyone: from contemporary music to a more classical spirit, it’s up to you!
Concerts, operas and events throughout the year, including many during the Carcassonne Festival, take place in the extraordinary Jean Deschamps amphitheater, which allows no less than amphitheater, which allows no less than 5,000 people to enjoy the show with the ramparts as a backdrop! backdrop!
Address : 10 Rue Saint-Louis, 11000 Carcassonne
Website: http: //www.festivaldecarcassonne.fr/
The burning of the City
If you have the opportunity and the chance to be in Carcassonne on July 14th, the city celebrates the storming of the Bastille with magnificent fireworks!
We encourage you to contemplate them from the top of the ramparts of the city or (maybe better) from below to see the light show in the air, whose colored reflections make the illusion of a blaze over the city… breathtaking!
Honestly, the best point of view on the view on the show that we can suggest you, it is the banks of the Aude the banks of the Aude river: at the water’s edge, the atmosphere is simply breathtaking!
Address : Admire the the show anywhere, from the banks of the Aude or in the city itself.
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