Why To Visit Carcassonne?
Top Carcassonne Attractions Tickets
Carcassonne Castle Tickets
Plan Your Visit
By Air: Carcassonne Airport is the nearest airport to Carcassonne. Outgoing and incoming flights from Carcassonne Airport are offered by Ryanair Airlines. It covers destinations such as Charleroi, Dublin, Manchester, and London–Stansted.
By Train: Carcassonne station is the main railway station in Carcassonne. From here, you can catch TGV trains that connect Carcassonne to Paris. There are also regular trains from Bordeaux, Marseille, Arles, Beziers, Montpellier, Narbonne, Quillan, Nîmes, and Toulouse.
Best Time to Visit: January to March and May to September is the best time to visit Carcassonne as the weather remains mild and comfortable, and most of the events and festivities are organized during this time of the year.
Getting Around: - The Agglo bus company runs a free service for short trips in Carcassonne city center.- The Carcassonne railway station runs both regional and high-speed TGV trains. You can use the train service to reach different destinations within the city.
Mirepoix: This is the historical center of Carcassonne, dotted with popular tourist attractions. It is a peaceful area dotted with top-notch restaurants, bars, and hotels.
Lagrasse: Lagrasse is known for its beautiful streets, houses, markets, and abbeys. It has some of the best local restaurants, cafes, hostels, and mid-ranged accommodations.
Montsegur: Montsegur is a scenic area perfect for families looking for a relaxing stay. You'll find here local markets, squares, and restaurants. There are both budget-friendly as well as premium hotels available in Montségur.
Trains are an efficient and cheap way to get to Carcassonne. The rivers Canal du Midi and Aude Fresquel run through Carcassonne, so you can get to the city by boat.
You can buy cell phone SIM cards in many places throughout Carcassonne, including phone stores, newspaper kiosks, and supermarkets.
In winter, many city attractions run for limited hours or are closed.
If you're in Carcassonne, you must try out Cassoulet and pain au chocolat.
Buy Carcassonne Pass to get a discounted entry to the popular attractions. With the Carcassonne Pass, you can also skip long lines and get direct entry to the attractions.
Weather: Carcassonne experiences temperate weather all year round. In summers (May and September), the temperature ranges from around 12 °C to 30°C, and in winter (December to February) temperature varies between 3°C to 15°C. The city experiences rainfalls between October and April.
Language: French is widely spoken in Carcassonne. English is the second most widely spoken language over her.
Time Zone: Carcassonne follows CEST — Central European Summer Time zone.
Budget: You will have to spend around €85 per day in Carcassonne. On average, you'll spend €31 ($31) on meals and €5.71 ($5.69) on transportation daily. Also, the average accommodation rate in Carcassonne is €97 ($97) for two people. So, a trip to Carcassonne for one week will cost you around €1,192 ($1,187).
Currency: Euro is the currency of Carcassonne.
Visa: All Canadian and U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Carcassonne. Visa is not required for Canadian and American visitors staying in Carcassonne for up to ninety days.
FAQ's
What are the best attractions to see in Carcassonne?
Cité Médiévale: Purchase the Carcassonne attraction tickets and get a chance to visit Cité Médiévale, a rampart-ringed fortress encircled by fifty-two stone towers and two sets of battlements. The castle has been laid out in a concentric pattern and has defensive towers and double walls.
Basilique St-Nazaire: Basilique St-Nazaire is a Catholic church renowned for its vivid rose windows and soaring Gothic transept. The facades have stained glass windows that represent scenes from Jesus and his apostles' life.
How many days should I spend in Carcassonne?
You should spend a minimum of two days in Carcassonne. On the first day, you can explore popular landmarks like Château et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne, Château de Quéribus, Château de Pennautier, and Château Comtal. On the second day, you can explore the local neighborhoods and try the famous delicacies.
What is the best time to visit Carcassonne?
January to March and May to September is the best time to visit Carcassonne as the weather remains pleasant and the city is buzzing with events.
How can I get cheap Carcassonne attraction tickets?
You can buy Carcassonne Pass to get discounted entry to the popular attractions. With City Pass Carcassonne you can also skip the long line at these attractions.
What can I do in Carcassonne on a budget?
Explore Chateau ComtalOne of the most budget-friendly things to do in Carcassonne is exploring Chateau Comtal. It is a twelfth-century medieval castle with an intriguing yet violent history. You'll have to pay 9 euros to enter the castle plus 3 for an audio guide, and if you pay 13 euros, you also enjoy the night light show.
Check out the interesting memorabilia at Centre Culturel De La Mémoire CombattanteAnother budget-friendly thing to do in Carcassonne is visiting Centre Culturel De La Mémoire Combattante. It is packed with tons of interesting memorabilia, and you can see exhibits ranging from paintings to sculptures and jewelry. You can buy a City Pass Carcassonne to get discounted entry to this attraction.
Is Carcassonne France worth visiting?
Yes, Carcassonne is extremely worth visiting as it has some of the most beautiful castles, churches, and museums. It is also dotted with quaint villages, Instagrammable vacation spots, and cute canals. You can head to the Michelin star restaurants to try both local and international delicacies. One of the best ways to explore the popular attractions at a discounted rate is by purchasing Carcassonne Pass.
Tours & Rental