Tours of Carcassonne: a medieval city

Our self-drive tours in Carcassonne explore the most impressive fortified medieval town in Europe. It is just an hour’s drive east from Toulouse in the southern France. This beautiful city is the perfect place for a stopover between the Southwest and the Southeast of France. Carcassonne is also the gateway to Spain with Barcelona just one incredibly scenic TGV ride away.

Historically, the medieval city of Carcassonne is one of France’s most important cities. It is situated at the epicenter of numerous historical trade routes. The city has been occupied for over 5,000 years and has been a cultural hub for the past 2,500. In the middle of the 19th century Carcassonne was in such bad repair that it became scheduled for demolition. Fortunately it was saved by the efforts of the local mayor.

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Dan
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Our Self-Guided Tours in Carcassonne

Jump into the middle ages in Europe largest fortified city !

Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4680
Region
in Loire Valley, Dordogne, Carcassonne & French Riviera

Explore French culture and history in three of its most representative regions: the Loire Valley, Dordogne and the Riviera, with a nice stop in Carcassonne.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums in France
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4190
Region
in Dordogne, Carcassonne & Provence

Experience medieval France in three of the richest heritage regions in the South of France.

Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4080
Region
in Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

This unique self-drive itinerary will have you cross the South of France from its Western coast in the Basque Country to beautiful Provence, with its cicadas and lavender fields.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3510
Region
in Bordeaux, Basque Country & Carcassonne

From the Unesco city of Bordeaux and the surrounding world-famous vineyards, to the mythical beach towns of Biarritz and St Jean de Lu z, feeling the fresh air of the Pyrenees foothills, and ending in the mysterious medieval town of Carcassonne . . . what a program!

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 6350
Region
in Bordeaux, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Dordogne

This loop from Bordeaux will take you on a journey to the South West of France: vineyards, mountains, cliff-hanging fortresses and rolling hills. You will enjoy all the diversity of this unique part of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 5270
Region
in Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

From the rugged Atlantic coast to the azur-colored Mediterranean Sea – experience the diversity of the South of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums in France
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4480
Region
in Carcassonne, Basque Country & Dordogne

Explore the South West of France: fortresses clinging to the cliffs in the Cathar Country and Dordogne, many “most beautiful villages of France”, and a very rich and unique gastronomy. This is where to experience the authentic France.

Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Countryside
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7980
Region
in Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Provence & French Riviera

Spend about a month traveling from Paris to Nice on the French Riviera and get a real feel for the authentic France!

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7640
Region
in Bordeaux, Dordogne, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

When the South of France is mentionned, many travelers think of Provence. But there is so much more to discover between the South-West and the South-East of France. This 26 day itinerary is designed to give you a very complete tour of the southern part of France, enjoying the gastronomy, heritage, wine, villages, and scenic roads . . . the best that France has to offer.

Wine Tasting
Gourmet Food
Carcassonne

How to Get to Carcassonne

If you are coming from abroad, getting to the medieval city of Carcassonne can be a challenge (unless you are coming from Barcelona, in which case you can just get the TGV train). If you are coming from within France then the city is accessible by train or by car.

The closest airport to Carcassonne is Toulouse so this will be the most convenient international airport to fly into. From the airport, you can hop on the 45-minute train from Toulouse Matabiau station to Carcassonne. Alternatively, you can hire a car and drive from Toulouse to Carcassonne, which takes around an hour.

Our self drive tours in Carcassonne are also a great option if you are traveling between the Dordogne and Provence, as Carcassonne is an excellent stopover. Situated almost exactly midway between the two, travellers can spend a day or two in the medieval city of Carcassonne before continuing their journey.

 

Medieval City of Carcassonne

The medieval city of Carcassonne -  ©Paul Palau

 

 

The Cathar Country

Sitting at the foot of the dramatic Pyrenees Mountains, not far from the Spanish border, is Cathar Country. Cathar Country, or Pays Cathare, is the region where Cathar history and heritage was most prominent. This area includes Montségur and Carcassonne.
Cathar Country is not just famous for its history – it is one of France’s most picturesque regions. Bathed in sunlight, Cathar Country boasts medieval castles hidden behind rugged swathes of natural beauty. You are sure to be left breathless as you explore this part of France. Carcassonne tours also offer a romantic setting and we recommend it for wedding anniversary trips or romantic trips.

 

History of Carcassonne & the Cathar Country

During the 12th century in the South of France, a Christian religion different from Catholicism developed: Catharism. This new belief was based on Christianity but was very critical of Catholicism and spread like wildfire through Occitania. To thwart this new religion, Pope Innocent III decided to start a crusade against the Albigeans. This point in history is responsible for some of the magnificent cliff-hanging fortresses found on the slopes of the Pyrenees.

Take the time while you are here to explore the Perpeytuse and Quéribus fortresses. Sitting atop their own respective mounds, these ruined Cathar castles are staggering in their size and are a must-see.

 

Queribus castle Carcassonne

Quéribus Cathar cliff-hanging fortress - ©Cucugan

 

Of course, if you’re really keen on fortresses then your first port of call should be the Carcassonne fortress, including Carcassonne castle and ramparts. This is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe and never fails to impress travelers visiting Carcassonne. We will include an interesting self-guided walking tour of Carcassonne in your Carcassonne itinerary. This will show you the most important parts of the fortress and share key facts about it. 

The earliest version of the fort dates back to around 500 BC. However, Carcassonne fortress has had a lot of work done since then. The city was most notably restored in 1853 by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, and later added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1997.

 

Day Trips from Carcassonne

  • Lourdes

Whilst in Carcassonne, we warmly recommend a day trip to Lourdes, which is less than 3 hours' drive away. Lourdes is one of the most popular Catholic sites on the planet. It receives around 6 million tourists and religious pilgrims every year.

  • Vineyards of the Minervois

If you're interested in Carcassonne vineyard tours, another fantastic day trip from the medieval city of Carcassonne is a visit to the vineyards of the Minervois. Drive for an hour through beautiful rural France and reward yourself at the end with a glass of world-class wine. Just make sure you have someone else to drive you home!

  • Tautavel

If you are interested in history, visit the oldest man ever found in France at the Tautavel Museum of Prehistory.

 

  • Narbonne

On the way to Tautavel you could stop in at Narbonne and explore the city’s stunning old town.

 

  • The Côte d’Argent 

One final day trip option is to head to France’s Côte d’Argent (Silver Coast). Here sand meets sea and the whole thing is drenched in sunlight. Be sure to check out the quaint towns of Collioure, Banyuls sur Mer and Port Vendres. To us, you'll find some of the nicest beaches in France.

 

Collioure France

Collioure on the Côte d'Argent 

 

Where to Stay in Carcassonne

The great thing about Carcassonne is that it is just as impressive by night as it is by day. For this reason, we have selected accommodation along the walls of the medieval fortress for travelers on our Carcassonne tours. Here you are perfectly positioned to make the most of the city. We always work with premium B&Bs - Chambres d'Hôtes in French - but we only share their names with our travelers. This way they remain hidden gems!

If you would rather stay in the countryside, we have a range of properties along the Canal du Midi. This option offers guests ultimate tranquility and the chance to do some wine tasting with their host.

During the Carcassonne Festival in July month, the city gets really busy and lively.

It is impossible not to fall in love with Carcassonne’s medieval charm. Travel back centuries with every step you take and witness the history that reveals itself around every corner. Our self guided tour of Carcassonne will allow you to enjoy the best of this region at your own pace. 

 

Canal du Midi Carcassonne

 Canal du Midi in Carcassonne - ©Paul Palau

 

FAQs about Carcassonne

When you're visiting Carcassonne, be sure to try cassoulet, a rich, delicious, slow-cooked stew. Foie gras is also popular, as well as foies secs (pork liver). You can also enjoy some very fine wine from the vineyards of the Minervois.

On our Carcassonne tours, we normally have our travelers spend 2-3 nights in the medieval city of Carcassonne. This gives you enough time to explore the walled city of Carcassonne, and some of the gorgeous surrounding countryside and places of interest, including the Cathar Country.

Some scenes from Robin Hood included the walls and towers of the medieval city of Carcassonne for the portrayal of Nottingham and its castle.

Visit other French regions

Brittany

Alsace

Lyon

Somme

Champagne

Verdun

Normandy

Provence

Dordogne

Loire Valley

Paris

Bordeaux

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Leslie
There are not enough superlatives for our experience with Emilie. Prompt correspondence and thorough questions led to the perfect vacation for my family. Her choice of hotels in Paris and Provence were exactly what I would have chosen on my own. Her tour guide recommendations were spot on. The fact that she arranged all of our transfers, train …
Ricki & Craig
There are not enough superlatives, or kind words, to describe the level of service Emilie, with France Just for You, provided us from the moment we contacted her, throughout our trip, and even her thoughtful emails upon our return. We contacted Emilie with a list of all the places we wished to go, the things we hoped to do, and our budget. We …
Sandra
We are a group of Wine Aficionados and we recently traveled to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and Paris and were very impressed with this service. It took us quite some time to formalize (and agree) what we wanted in terms of places and wineries we wanted to visit, but in the end "France Just for You" came through with excellent organization and …

Our Travelers’ Photos

David
From the US
Celebrating his 80th birthday at a cooking class in Burgundy
Ginette and Craig
from the US
In Chaumont castle, Loire Valley
Mita & Bip from the US
In Biarritz, Basque Country
Joe
From the US
Digging & Finding a truffle in Provence
Nancy, Don, Jane & Ron
from Canada
In Honfleur, Normandy
Lytha & Ron
From the US
Canoeing in the Dordogne region
Bonnie & Steve
from the US
in Provence
Bruce from Australia
Cooking outdoor in Provence, bon appétit !
Kathy & David
from Canada
In Avignon, Provence
Leslie & Family
from the US
A la Tour Eiffel, Paris
Bonnie & her 2 daughters
from Canada
In Ménerbes, Provence
David & Lindsay
From the US
Celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in France