Carcassonne

Some younger people in Germany may just know Carcassonne as a very famous board game published in the year 2000 (and translated into 20 other languages thereafter). But there is a reason why the game developers chose this name: the Cité of Carcassonne is one of the biggest medieval fortifications that you can still visit. It is located on a hill and protected by high walls and towers; Carcassonne is so unique that the historic city is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Carcassonne was inhabited already from the 6th century BC on. The strategic location next to historic trade routes from Greece and the entire Mediterranean area ensured the growth but also attracted different enemies over time and made strong fortifications necessary. While the city of Carcassonne has more than 45,000 inhabitants, only 150 of them are living inside the ancient Cité. It has become a purely touristic site, almost like an open air museum with two to four million visitors every year.

And that’s completely understandable: the fortification is just amazing. It is very impressive to stand outside its vast walls, see the giant towers and to walk through its old streets. The best entry point for visitors is the Porte Narbonnaise in the east; you’ll also find a large car park close to it. Entrance is free of charge, but you’ll have to pay to visit the Château Comtal which is the inner fortification. It is a good choice to do so because it is also the starting point for the walk on the ramparts.

In the streets of Carcassonne you’ll find different shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries and smaller museums. You can visit the Basilique Saint-Nazaire and once you’re done I would recommend to leave the city through the Porte d’Aude and do the ascent down as it gives you the chance for some great photos. Taking a picture of the medieval city from the outside isn’t that easy because of its vast size.

If you arrive by train prepare yourself for a 40 minutes walk from and to the railway station north of the modern city center to the Cité. You can cross the Aude river on the Pont Neuf to enjoy some nice views on the city, but the better option is to take the Pont Vieux which then leads you through the Rue Trivalle to the Porte Narbonnaise. Did you know that in the 1991s movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (with Kevin Costner) Carcassonne was used as the backdrop depicting the city of Nottingham?

Carcassonne
France