What to see/do in Carcassonne
Today I take you to the southwest of France, in the Occitania region, where there is a fascinating city that seems to be imprinted in history, Carcassonne. Carcassonne attracts thousands of tourists every year for its cultural and food and wine heritage.
The city is located about 1 hour by train from Toulouse, the capital of the region, and is easily accessible by plane landing in Toulouse or at the small airport of Carcassonne a few km from the city. Carcassonne is in an ideal location for a trip to the southwest of France or as a stopover on a trip to Catalonia, from which it is a few hours away by car.
What makes the city unique is its medieval Citadel, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. With its 3 km of walls and its 52 towers, the Cité, will take you back in time making you live a unique experience. The urban layout of the Citadel is excellently preserved and walking through its narrow streets is unrepeatable. Here you will find various museums (such as the Inquisition and the school), the magnificent Basilica of Saint Nazaire and the Comital Castle. A tour along the city walls is a must for a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.
If you want to stay inside the Cité, the choice can only fall on the magnificent Hotel de la Cité MGallery, in the heart of the historic city in a finely restored building but made authentic and luxurious to experience a dream stay catapulted back 7 centuries. The Hotel has a starred restaurant, the Barbacane, a swimming pool between the towers and walls for hot summer days, and a wide choice of luxurious suites that will make you feel like real kings!
Carcassonne is not only the medieval citadel, but most of the urban fabric extends downstream in the lower city built starting in 1247 under the will of King Louis IX. The upper and lower cities are connected by the Old Bridge over the Aude River.
The city center is Place Carnot where you can enjoy an excellent aperitif or taste the excellent food that the Occitan region has to offer. A few steps away you will find the Cathedral of Saint Michel, an excellent example of French Gothic art and for museum lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts.
Carcassonne is also located on the Canal du Midi, a 241 km artificial canal that connects the Garonne River to the Mediterranean. It is a great engineering work built by order of Louis XIV and today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour on the Canal du Midi is one of the most common attractions for those passing through the region. This can be combined with a tour of the vineyards and cellars of the area! The Carcassonne region is in fact one of the most important French wine areas!
In short, to conclude, a weekend in Carcassonne is certainly an excellent opportunity to take a step back in time, enjoy the beauty of a territory of great charm and history combined with a high level food and wine offer!
