Visit Carcassonne, France

Crossing the drawbridge into Carcassonne, deep in southwestern France, the past immediately envelops you. Labyrinthine cobblestoned streets and narrow passageways head off in every direction, banners flutter from the tops of turreted towers high above your head, and castellated ramparts encircle your every move. Carcassonne feels like a modern Disney creation but it’s one of the most intact medieval cities in the world.

Saved from demolition and fully restored in the mid-19th century by Gothic revival architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the citadel gives a fascinating insight into French history. We can arrange for you to have a privately guided tour of the city, while children in your group can learn sword fighting skills in the ancient city streets. Or, you may like to track down the locations of the 1991 film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, where the city was used to represent Nottingham.

Carcassonne’s history unveiled

To fully appreciate the mastery of Carcassonne’s design, we can plan a privately guided tour for you of both the city and its ramparts. Your guide will help you get a handle on the centuries of history buried deep within the walls. From its early Roman beginnings in 100 BC to occupation by Visigoths, Arabs, Franks, and Cathars, the city was then used as a vital border defence until the early 18th century.

When the French borders changed location, the city slowly fell into deep disrepair until, in the mid-19th century, it was destined for demolition. This triggered a movement to restore Carcassonne to its former glory, with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc overseeing this vast project. The success of his vision means that today you’re able to wander the atmospheric streets of a medieval masterpiece.

Canal du Midi adventures

Carcassonne sits close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Canal du Midi, one of France’s most celebrated waterways. Built in the 17th century to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea, it spans 240km (150 miles) from Toulouse to the coastline at Étang de Thau.

You may want to explore a stretch of the canal from the water, and we can arrange for you to take a canal boat trip where you’ll drift through leafy valleys, quaint villages, and historical towns. Alternatively, we can book bikes for you to cycle your way alongside the canal on the towpath. The flat landscape makes cycling here a pleasure, and there are plenty of picturesque picnic stops along the way.

Tasting bubbly Blanquette

Considered the world’s oldest sparkling wine, Blanquette de Limoux has its roots at the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire, which is close to Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of France. The monks who lived here are credited with accidentally creating the wine in the 16th century when they bottled wine before fermentation was complete, allowing bubbles to form naturally. Their method is still used intentionally today.

We can offer you a tour of the abbey to learn its rich architectural history that dates to the 8th century. While you’re here, we can arrange a private tasting of the original sparkling wine recipe “Blanquette Ancestral” in the abbey’s cloisters. After the tour, your guide will drive you through the surrounding vineyards that are such an integral part of the abbey’s heritage and take you to a local Blanquette winery. Here, you can learn more about the culture of winemaking in the region and taste the modern version of this ancient drink.

Best time to visit Carcassonne

The city comes alive in the summer months of July and August, with knights, jesters, and jugglers roaming the streets. This gives a medieval festival atmosphere to your visit, making it an ideal time to visit if you have children. For a quieter experience, we advise visiting in May, June, or September instead and spending a night here, giving you evening access when the daily visitors have left.