Places to Visit in Carcassonne

Chapelle des Dominicaines is an ancient chapel turned antique store that features a neo-Gothic architectural style. Constructed during the Second Empire around 1860, this institution was devoted to the education of young girls until its dissolution at the start of the 20th century. It later transformed into a cultural center that presents exhibitions on different themes.

Notre Dame De L’abbaye is a former monastery from the Middle Ages that attracts tourists to the charm of the cloister. It houses rooms and dormitories that can accommodate between 4 to 30 people. You will also find ten equipped meeting rooms in the attraction that have ample space.

O2 Aventure is a tree-top adventure park that surrounds the gorgeous Lac de la Cavayère in Carcassonne. This thrilling park features seven adventure courses with high difficulty levels and 100 platforms that offer ziplining activities over the lake. Upon visiting the park, thrill seekers can discover the interactive quest in a magical setting. It also encloses a forest acrobatic park in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Carcassonne

Eglise Saint-Gimer is a Gothic church that reflects on the vision of its renowned architect, Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. Showcasing a fusion of Northern and Southern Gothic styles, the church features a nave and two aisles, and a polygonal apse positioned on two vestries. Although it is a simple parish church, it got its name in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

Constructed in the 13th century, Carcassonne Cathedral is a fortified church dedicated to Saint Michael. The expansive interiors of the cathedral include a nave of eight bays with side chapels and arched stained glass windows pierced into the choir. Tourists love the soft glow created by natural sunlight in the cathedral that peeps through the tiny round stained glass windows near the top of the vault.

Remparts et Lumières is a nighttime tour of the ramparts and the castle of Carcassonne that takes you through the legends and history of the medieval city. On this tour, you can take your turn on guard and encounter the lords, knights, stonecutters, and troubadours. You will be allowed to take a sentry stroll from the Narbonnaise Gate of the Cour d’Honneur of the Château Comtal.

Sprawling across an area of 40 hectares, Lac de la Cavayère is an artificial lake situated near the medieval town of Carcassonne. It is a leisurely spot at the water’s edge featuring a sun-kissed atmosphere, music, a beach bar, board sports with the waterski ropeway, and beach volleyball courts. The five kilometers long circuit surrounding the lake is ideal for walking and enjoying the spectacular views of the hilly landscape.

Chateau et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne is one of the finest rocky walled cities of the Carcassonne citadel over River Aude. It played a fundamental role in the formation of the national territory as it is the center of power of the counts of Carcassonne in the 12th century. Although it was on the verge of demolition, the architects Viollet-le-Duc and Paul Boeswillwald worked hard to give back its medieval appearance.

Place Carnot is a massive public square in Carcassonne laid out by the regal surveyors in 1355 at the junction of rue de Verdun and rue Georges Clemenceau. Paved with stones, this square features The Fountain of Neptune in the middle, which resembles the sculpture of a god standing on a plantain a round pool. You will find numerous outdoor cafe tables lining the square, where you can chill and enjoy pasties and coffee while watching the people pass by.

Situated in close proximity to the medieval city of Carcassonne, Téléski Nautique de Carcassonne is a nautical ski lift that offers a plethora of adventurous activities, like kneeboarding, monoskiing, paddling, wakeboarding, wakeskating, and water skiing. It is a perfect place to indulge in learning or enhancing your skills and speed management with the help of an approved instructor.

Maison des Mémoires is a former private mansion turned museum, where the poet Joë Bousquet used to live in the 16th century. This museum allows visitors to discover the lifestyle, work, and influence of the poet through his paintings, manuscripts, and publications. Each of the permanent exhibits in the museum displays his moving journey while the temporary exhibitions showcase the relationship between writing and artistic creations.

Pont Vieux is an ancient stone bridge that connects the sections of Carcassonne, i.e., the Cité and the lower town. Closest to the medieval fortified city, this bridge is accessible only to pedestrians. The unique feature of Pont Vieux is the twelve stone arches with cutwaters in the front and the rear end with unequal dimensions that create a marking of a boundary between the two factions of Carcassonne.

Notre Dame de La Santé is a tiny chapel that was constructed from the legacy money of Jean de Saix in 1527, serving as a hospital for people suffering from the plague. Regarded as the faithful guard in the strategic location, it is a retreat to the eyes of history buffs. The chapel is beautifully enveloped by lierne and trefoil on intriguing columns that are devoid of capital.

Écluse de Carcassonne is a beautiful canal on one of the seventeen locks in the territory of Greater Carcassonne. It is a magnificent place featuring a barge that extends some of the gorgeous panoramic views of the surroundings over the water. The visitors can take a boat ride along the Écluse de Carcassonne and pass through the Aiguille lock in Piuchérie with metal sculptures and Herminis lock in Carcassonne or the triple lock in Trèbes.

La Cité Médiévale is one of the beautiful fortresses in the southern crown of France. This medieval gem features the tales of Lady Carcas who fought hard to protect Carcassonne in the 8th century and the 13th-century stained glass windows in the St Nazaire Basilica. The visitors can take a stroll along the city walls to witness the beauty of the Roman towers and relish the panoramic views with the rolling hills in the backdrop

Parc Aquaviva is a new-wave waterpark situated on Cavayère lake that satiates the thrill seeker in you. This park includes catapults, paddleboards, slide mats, slides, and trampolines to spend a fantastic fun-filled day with your friends and family. Adventure enthusiasts are attracted to the terrifying Iceberg, which is a five meters wall of water that will make the adrenaline rush through your veins

Overlooking the hilltop citadel of Carcassonne, the Château Comtal is a classic medieval castle that dates back to the 12th century. This UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site features dramatic ramparts and fairytale towers. The visitors can explore the four city gates and 52 towers and enjoy the sweeping views of the citadel below. You can also get an insight into the history of the city and discover the counts of Carcassonne

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the largest medieval walled city that provides beautiful panoramic views of the surroundings. It is popularly acclaimed to be the former seat of the Counts of Carcassonne, Cité de Carcassonne is one of the most visited historic landmarks in France. It is a beautiful attraction that allows you to take a stroll through the picturesque alleyways and visit the highlights, like the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus.