This is Carcassonne’s castle and offers the only option to walk the rampart walls – a can’t miss experience. The castle itself has an interesting story and is well worth the audioguide that will wind you through all of the undecorated rooms and towers of the interior, through ancient artifacts, medieval defense systems, and multiple courtyards. Learn all about Eugene Viollet-le-Duc who restored the old city in the 1800s and who helped preserve the amazing architecture you’re wandering through. The castle itself offers an impressive view into medieval architecture. From the end of your audio tour and the castle you can climb out on the old city ramparts and walk around the old town. The north rampart goes to the Narbonne Gate. The west Rampart circles you the St. Nazaire Tower. If you want to complete the entire thing you can go back to the castle after the north rampart and head west, ending with an exit at the Nazaire Tower. The views from the rampart are incredible and it’s fun to climb along the ramparts with new things to see every tower and to imagine you were living in the city during the medieval age. This was our favorite thing to do in Carcassonne!
Hours:
- April – September – 09:30 – 18:30
- October – March – 09:30 – 17:00