Make the most of your stay camping in Cathar country to visit the medieval city of Carcassonne, with its château comtal and ramparts listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover it!
A medieval jewel honoured by UNESCO
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval architectural ensemble unique in Europe. Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Aude valley, on the site of an ancient Gallo-Roman town, Carcassonne is one of Europe’s most beautiful fortified cities. On the right bank of the river stands the medieval fortress, protected by powerful ramparts; on the left bank stands the Bastide Saint-Louis, known as the “Ville Basse”.
Right bank#Medieval City
In the heart of the fortified town, stroll through the secret lanes lined with timber-framed houses, sheltered by the ramparts. A remarkable example of medieval military architecture, the double enclosure is 3 km long and flanked by 52 towers. Leaning against the ramparts, the Château Comtal is a veritable fortress within a fortress. Behind the walls of the 12th-century citadel, the Lapidary Museum houses an important collection of paintings, statues, sarcophagi and other ancient and medieval relics. The tour continues along the covered walkways. The northern rampart offers breathtaking views of the lower town and the Montagne Noire.
The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, “the jewel of the Cité”, is one of the monuments not to be missed. Built between the 9th and 14th centuries, the Romanesque basilica has undergone several alterations over the course of its history, harmoniously combining Romanesque and Gothic styles. After your visit, take a break! Place Marcou is a popular meeting place for Carcassonnais and tourists alike, with its cafés and restaurant terraces shaded by tall trees.
From the Medieval City to the Bastide Saint-Louis
The Pont Vieux links the medieval town to the bastide Saint-Louis on the left bank. The beating heart of Carcassonne, the “lower town” was built under the reign of Saint Louis in 1260. The Bastide is bounded by long boulevards lined with beautiful 18th-century mansions and townhouses. The 13th-century Bastide is organized around the Place Carnot, at the center of which is the sculptural marble Neptune fountain. It’s an ideal starting point for exploring the lower town of Carcassonne. Visit the superb Halle aux Grains, whose roof structure dates back to the 18th century. The monument hosts a colorful market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning.
Things to see and do in Carcassonne: the campsite’s favourites
Carcassonne is home to many other sights well worth a visit. Discover the barbican, consisting of a parapet walk and a crenellated parapet, and walk around the ramparts in the lices, the passage between the two walls.
If you’re staying
campsite near Carcassonne
during the summer vacations, don’t miss our medieval events that will transport you to the heart of the Middle Ages. On the program: knights’ tournaments in the lices, equestrian shows and street performances enliven the city throughout the summer.
You can also opt for a visit outside the city walls and head out towards the Old Bridge. Walk to the vineyards to the south of the town.
Take a stroll along the water’s edge, on the banks of the
Canal du Midi
Pierre Paul Riquet’s 17th-century project to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.