Tourist information:
Carcassonne, the legendary walled city, is a city that fascinates travelers in many ways. There are its medieval city, of course, and the Canal du Midi that have been classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1997 and 1996. But there is also the natural environment and its wine-producing plains, museums, cuisine and event-driven life that appeal.
The city of Carcassonne is of Roman origin. It quickly made other people envious and was forced to strengthen to become an impregnable fortress in the thirteenth century. Unfortunately, many centuries later the impressive medieval city was totally abandoned, no longer used to defend the city.
It was not until the mid-nineteenth century that major restoration work was undertaken. The city was then completely rebuilt, with great respect of medieval architecture. Loopholes, drawbridges, weep holes, fortified castle, towers, ramparts and parapets... everything was done to breathe new life into this remarkable site.
Today, the medieval city is a pleasant place, where the cobbled streets, markets and small businesses help give the place an Middle Ages animated city... a trip back in time.
The Canal du Midi offers different but equally nice moments of relaxation. You walk or cycle on old towpaths or along the Aude.
The lower town is divided into two parts, the city on the right bank of the Aude and the Bastide Saint-Louis on the left bank. The famous Old Bridge is the link between the two of them. Side of the Bastide Saint-Louis, one discovers its churches and cathedrals, museums and beautiful squares.
Renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, Carcassonne welcomes you with a wide range of hotels of all categories and a great gastronomic tradition. The specialties are greedily eaten: gizzards confit, chocolate of the City, Pavés, goose and duck confits, Petits carcassonnais and the famous cassoulet of Carcassonne.
