I'll always remember getting down from the train and asking some local guys playing pétanque where to find hte old city. And of the them, who had obviously drunk too much pastis tries to explain ... right, left, left, right, ... And I was thinking: anyways, it's probably overrated, and why we go there, ...

And suddenly, it hit me right in the face ... coming out of a narrow street, out of a sudden the walls of the old city were there ... we felt like we were there and then! Completely out of time, out of this world ... some kind of magic operates ... It's definitely worth the trip.

But considering the difference of prices, I'm not sure it's worth to stay in a hotel inside the walls. You can find OK hotels outside the walls ... and you'll have a view of the old city you'll never have from inside!

If you arrive by the train or by the highway, you will see the medieval city (13th century). You don't believe it. It seems that you are in an other period of the history. It doesn't look like real. You just don't know whats going on..

And then you arrive, you see the houses, the streets, you touch the stones. How can it be still here? Carcassonne is miraculous. After Paris and the Mont-Saint-Michel, it is a place to be in France. Dont think of staying in a hotel inside the medieval city. Quality and prices are better ouside in the "new town" !

It s also more convenient than Mont-Saint-Michel, which became too much touristical, and which is very crowded. Carcassonne is one of the most beautifuls places in France. Don't miss it.

One of the best preserved medieval towns, a must see if you are interested in that period of time. You can go visit this town for free, it will take you a whole day because it is huge. You can go on the wall that is around the whole city for protection. Inside the walls are now little shops, restaurants etc... The castle inside can also be visited but there you have to pay for entrance. In this region are a lot of other Cathar castles so it is best that you buy a castlepass that gives you reductions when you visit the other castles. Certainly worth of it if you like history... In the summer it can be extremely hot aspecialy if you have to hike up the mountains (because most of those castles are on the top of a hill). Good walking shoes are recommended!

One of the most amazing medieval cities I've ever seen... you can easily just get in and discover on your own... it's so what of picturesque... and its historical background is interesting too. If you prefer guided tours - there are loads of guides all around. No matter if you like castles or not, you'll love the charming city and the Chateau de Carcassonne... Worth visiting but be aware, that during summer season, waves of tourists will be flash-flooding the site... so don't expect to be alone there in July or August...
If you liked "The DaVinci Code" I can also recommend to visit Rennes-le-Château, which is not far from Carcassonne... it's the church where rumours say Jesus' wife, Maria-Magdalena, was buried... mystic feelings at its best...

the old part of carcassonne is a medieval walled city/castle. It was eautifully restored to its 13th century glory by Violet Le Duc, Famous french historian and architect in the 19th century.During the crusades, it was the major prot of trade between western europe, Arabia, and spain, for all persons and good going to/from the holy lands. today it stands much as it did in its hay-day for us to enjoy and comes to life as a bustling tourist centre with all the trim. Definantly one of the highlights of my travels.