I love Castles and this is so far the best I've ever been too. It's completely surrounded by a wall and has lots of restaurants and shops within the castle walls, has a draw bridge entrance and the whole place is so well preserved and they are continuing to work on it. It's free to enter and walk around. I visited twice in 3 days, once at night which was amazing seeing it all lit up and then again the next day and it looked even better.

Amazingly well preserved city, the walls and the chateau comtal are absolutely breathtaking. The town inside is very well suited for tourists, but the narrow streets and vibrant colors make it stunning. I would recommend going on a sunny weekday, weekends are sometimes crowded and hot. For lunch there are many places to eat, restaurants, food stands, but if you prefer finer dining, it would be better to go back into the lower village for lunch. Allover a marvelous tourist destination nonetheless.

We did not enter the historical citadel, we just wandered around the exterior area and visited a restaurant for lunch. It's all been very well restored and we had a great time. Amazing views from the entry / bus stop area as well as how spectacular the castle is. Worth noting it was very busy so if you don't like crowds you're better off visiting this place in the off season.

This medieval city is so unique with its castle within a castle structures. It still breaths the medieval times, although almost all buildings have been modified to fit shops or restaurants. They might have gone a bit more withholding on that part, that's why it's a 4 for me, as I like the fact it's being used, but not everywhere they took in account the history and authenticity. Worth a visit you ask? Definitely!!

World Heritage, Medieval City. Photo opportunities at every turn. Some streets of tat shops, but didn't detract from an amazing day. Book a trip with tourist information for a real snapshot of the place, won't disappoint. Also some excellent restaurants which were a Brucie Bonus.

In some ways, it’s like the Disneyland of Mid Evil towns. BUT it’s awesome! Nothing else like it! Tons of history, it’s a living town with citizens, great shops and plenty of affordable eating options. It’s beautiful, it’s mind boggling, it’s an experience not to be missed.

Carcassonne was granted two UNESCO World Heritage sites. One is the whole castle complex itself, the other is the castle you pay for a visit. After visiting the castle, I was looking for the other. The restaurant owner told me about the fact that it’s actually one castle inside a big one, which made sense to me then. The castle complex is massive, bigger than Le Mont Saint-Michel. However, I think Le Mont Saint-Michel is more impressive for the architecture and the overall atmosphere. It doesn’t mean that Carcassonne is not worth a visit, but if I can only recommend one to a foreign tourist, Le Mont Saint-Michel is definitely a go-to. You can also find a lot of vine yards around the castle as well as Pyrénées at the background. The countryside view adds more agreeable touches to the castle. Some trails around the castle are definitely good for a walk to get away from other tourists. If you happen to be here in July, don’t miss out on the fireworks on Bastille Day. The fireworks and illumination at the castle is world class.

The site itself is impressive and we enjoyed the views as we walked from the old town area across the bridge to it. Inside the walls it was very touristy for us (a "mature" couple) but could see it more enjoyable for families with all the shops geared for them. There are a large number of restaurants so one should be able to find one that suits your needs.

Absolutely stunning walled castle. Definitely get the audio tour. About a 30 min walk from the train station. The town inside the wall is very touristy..best to head back to the lower town for meals, etc. Just remember that many restaurants close at 2pm. We didn't have advanced tickets, but arrived when it opened at 10am and got in without any problems.

I really loved this place. It's somewhere I've wanted to visit ever since I saw a photo of it several years ago. You can easily spend a day wandering the streets and taking in the beautiful surroundings - lots of quirky shops to visit. Still pretty busy when I visited (September 2023) but everybody was friendly and courteous. Can be a little expensive but nothing too crazy. If you speak some French, even badly, people will really appreciate you trying! A tour of the castle and ramparts is also highly recommended and not too expensive (around €9). Formidable!

Amazing city, amazing castle. Carcassone is really a beautiful and unique place to visit. Walking through the medieval city gates, we were impressed with the quaint narrow streets, the many restaurants and shops, and all the lovely views by the ramparts. You could wander around all day taking it all in. Well worth a visit! We had a 7 and 2 year old with us, you can have a stroller. It’s not easy but totally doable.

Cité de Carcassonne is simply spectacular, with jaw-dropping views from every angle. Entry to the cite is free, allowing you to freely explore its narrow streets and soak in the lively atmosphere. With numerous restaurants, shops, and bars to discover, plus iconic landmarks like the cathedral and chateau, there's plenty to see and do. While access to the ramparts may require a small fee, the opportunity to capture stunning photographs all day long is well worth it.

An amazing, beautiful castle which you can visit for free. Lots of shops and restaurants, interesting walls and towers that make it look like a fairytale. Lovely views of the surrounding countryside.

Great wall and views around. It's worth visiting and walking around its medieval streets. There's a parking quite close by. There are a great selection of restaurants and cafes all around. It may get hectic in summer or peak season.

Such a lovely place to visit, steeped in history, breathtakingly beautiful and wonderful restaurants, places to drink, get a coffee - and of course, don't forget to look around the town too - really nice! Parking is great up by the castle, however I imagine in the summertime you would be lucky to find a space. If you don't mind an extra 10-15min walk, there is plenty of parking at the bottom of the hill in the very safe, clean and incredibly reasonable underground carparks.

It's a very historical and interesting cite... Everything is well structured and maintained! Free to enter and very popular with tourists because there is so much to see and do when you visit this medieval site. Would be a whole day trip to explore, eat local casserole meals, visit the historic church, find some nice artisans shops, soak in the city view (* need to buy tickets to go into the tower area of the castle 🏰 ) It's definitely worth visiting...

Lovely walked city with plenty of places to eat and various tourist gift shops. €9 (children free) to enter the castle and Ramparts but worth it for the views alone. Can get busy so booking advised. Lots of steps. Jousting shows 3 times a day during the summer months.

Amazing medieval city and castle. Had a quick visit but would need more time to really appreciate it. You can walk around inside the city for free but you have to pay to go inside the castle. Wonderful history to take in everywhere you look. There is a car park which we were lucky to find a space in during August, as the sign said it was full.

How cool is it to be able to visit an entire, intact medieval city! The largest in Europe! A UNESCO site, if you love medieval bldgs, you will love this! Although the center is crowded with the typical tourist gift shops, walking around, I could feel what it could have been like so long ago! Most of the site is free. There is an intact Romanesque church. There is an about 9€ cost to visit part of the castle but we arrived to late in the day to do this (mind the times!). The cemetery has beautiful headstones on the crypts but it is not as old as it appears.

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Cité de Carcassonne, and it was an experience we'll cherish forever. From the moment we stepped inside the medieval walls, we were captivated by the rich history and vibrant atmosphere. The variety of shops and restaurants within the Cité was truly impressive. It felt like stepping back in time while exploring the charming cobblestone streets, filled with unique boutiques and eateries. Whether we were indulging in local cuisine or browsing for souvenirs, there was something to delight every sense. The self-guided tour of the ramparts and castle walls was a highlight of our visit. The opportunity to walk atop these ancient fortifications, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, was simply awe-inspiring. We could feel the weight of centuries of history as we followed the well-marked paths, and it provided a deep appreciation for the preservation efforts in place. Overall, our visit to the Cité de Carcassonne was an enchanting journey through time and culture. We left with hearts full of admiration for this remarkable place and its ability to transport visitors to a bygone era. If you're looking for a destination that combines history, ambiance, and culinary delights, look no further than the Cité de Carcassonne. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking a truly unforgettable experience.

This castle offers an incredible viewpoint that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. The castles are enormous and breathtakingly gorgeous! If you intend to come, I suggest packing comfortable running shoes because the castle tour is very long.

It was absolutely beautiful and amazing I would recommend to absolutely anyone. Tons of places for food and it feels like you are walking through the medieval times. I would go again and spend a few days there to get the whole experience. There are tons of museums too.

We were here at Easter and the city was very quiet. Shops were closing early. There is not much dinner option as most restaurants only serve lunch. Check reviews before you eat anywhere, as most places have bad reviews. Believe the reviews, we got very sick from one of the restaurants. There is a public toilet just opposite the main entrance of the castle. The little train that takes you around with tour guide was fun if you want to learn more about the city.

Great place to visit we normally come in the summer when it's very busy. It's a lot quieter this time of year but not as many shops and restaurants open. Nice to see this fab place at different times of year. Visited the castle and ramparts today. Weather not great but the inside parts were nice and warm.

A beautiful castle with a rich outskirts, full of shops, restaurants and curiosities. The perfectly executed reconstruction of the castle resulted in a place that is absolutely a must-see. Lots of things to see and explore, especially the walls and battlements from which the view is breathtaking and gives you chills. An absolute must-see.

Wow what a neat and interesting place! It was an easy walk from the train station to the medieval city. There is a bit of an uphill walk at the very end. Lots of tourist at the entrance of the city but they soon dispersed. We had pre purchased our tickets to the castle and that made the wait much shorter. People who needed to buy tickets had to wait in a long line. Accidentally we walked towards the exit once we entered. It was a long walk along the fortress wall in one direction. Then before we knew it we had exited! So we made our way back to the entrance and were let back in to see the first part! Washrooms are not the greatest in Carcassonne. There a free public W/C in the historic city. Some have toilets, some have a hole in the ground. Some have toilet paper, some don’t. I think they all stink. Totally worth getting lunch and using the restaurants toilet! Once our day was over, we walked back to the train station and caught an earlier train back to Toulouse. Standing room only. Carcassonne was a wonderful day with lots of old history. Must visit if in the area.

What a stunning place! The massive fortification bring you back to medieval times. There are a lot of nice, narrow streets to steal around and there are great views at every corner. Very pleasant was the fact, that in November the number of tourists are way down and it was very pleasant and almost empty everywhere. Definitely worth a visit.

Gorgeous gorgeous castle. In the four days I was in the city I went to the castle about 5 times. Very pretty from any angle and any side street. And the inside of the castle is stunning. Definitely recommend to visit at any time of the day. I didn’t get a chance to experience it but I was told by a local friend that it presents spectacular sunset views (from the west side of the castle obviously). Great history and amazing architectural structure.

I have mobility issues and knew going in that the stairs would be an adventure for me. However, I also knew that I did not want to miss the opportunity to explore the castle from the ramparts. It provided phenomenal views and was a great experience. There was more to it than I expected, too. I had to spend the next day recovering, but I'm very glad I got to experience it.

Beautiful place, stunning views-the best in Carcassonne. Staff is rude, not very pleasant people.

Super impresive castle! Cost 9€ and didnt book in advance. Quite busy though Long waits and queues for almost everything but its a really good plan to spend a day close to Toulouse

Probably a five star out of season, but in the crowds La Cite felt like medieval Disneyland on Easter Saturday. The Ramparts were the best part, but even here it was one long queue around the block. Amazing views, though, and I don't think there's anything else like it in the world. I got some pictures that captured the feel of a medieval castle of the edge of the Pyrenees, even if I felt like a tourist being shoved and jostled while I took them.

My third visit to this castle and it still thrills me, it’s a wonderful place to visit and incredibly well looked after. Allow 2 hours to visit the museum and walk the ramparts. Most of the quality shops are now gone (but try Little Julie for leather goods) so keep your money for places that are not tourist traps.

Very good visit, but prepare yourselves for a long walk Very good tip. They dont allow to bring strollers, if you want to take yours you need to leave them unprotected :(

Love this place, loads of charm and history. Great restaurants and shops can be found inside the city walls

If you are visiting Carcassonne then the old city is a must do on your list. Go into the paid area which is the chateau. You can just get a ticket on the day in the off season but you need to get a ticket online in the summer and select a time. When you are online select the chateau as that has access to the ramparts. The ramparts option has no days to select. It takes about 1.5 hours to walk around and has a lot of steps but it’s worth it to do as you can get great photos. Walking around the outside is alright and we did that on another day and had lunch in one of the many places to eat but if you only have a short time then do the paid chateau visit.

Absolutely worth every penny. The way they have planned the walk of the castle you get to see every part. Be warned the walk is a full lap plus half of the internal walls... Approx 3.5km according to Google.

It's a very impressive fortress with one of the best walls/medieval defence that I have seen so far. Also the view to the surroundings is excellent. Buuut most of the buildings inside are now tourist shops, restaurants and so on and the whole place is crowded buy tourist even during off-season. I really don't want to see this madness in summer.

They were spectacular. But this week was rather crowded and many tourists were in town, so the atmosphere wasn't that great

Pretty vast, with stunning views and many different towers. Must visit when in town, might be a bit crowded at times so I'd suggest getting tickets online in advance. The process for that is pretty easy. Also, if you take your time and stroll through, you might end up needing 90 minutes instead of the advertised 60. At least that was the case for us.

9.50 EUR entry and it was not busy. Highly recommended to visit this historic castle as you walk inside it but note here there are a lot of steps so not easily accessible. You can spend a good hour or two here exploring this castle with great views over Carcassone.

Cute church within the walled city. It has some beautiful stained glass windows.

A little but very pretty church, nice to see from both inside and outside. It reminded me a lot of the Notre Dame of Paris though it's a lot smaller. The very old stained glass windows are very nice and the pictures cannot capture the beauty. It is ideally located next to the end of the Comtal Castle tour and free to visit.

The Basilica of Saints Nazarius. A medieval fortress that has evolved into a traditional old town. Beautiful!

Beautiful from the inside. Quite and peaceful with amazing gothic architecture and big coloured glass which illuminates the chirch from the inside. You are expected to dress modestly and no animals are allowed inside.

Amazing Basilica! Every blink and every turn is filled with unreal stained glass and art.

I truly don’t know how to rate a church. It’s clean and beautiful, it’s dark and smells funny.

It is a Roman Catholic minor basilica located in the citadel of Carcassonne. Was built in 12th century in the Gothic-Romanesque architectural tradition. The main entrance in its north wall is formed by a Romanesque portal of five receding arches over two doors.

Free entrance, interesting. There was a wedding- spectacular! The grand Organ with no use((

By far... one of the most beautiful and impressive Basilique I have ever seen! And I have seen a lot 😉 including St Peters Rome, St Vitus Prague, St Stephen Vienna, Notre Dame Paris... There is something mystical and magical about this place! Perhaps the fact that it is within the medieval cité of Carcassonne.

Located in the heart of the city, this church is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. The interior is beautifully decorated with stained glass windows. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene, and the church is a great place to relax and reflect. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in Carcassonne.

Beautiful building. Formerly a cathedral but no longer has a resident bishop so has been given the honorific title of a basilica. Not only are the contents attractive it is a fine place to sit for a while on a hot summer day and cool down and unwind.Inspiring place to visit even if you are not religious.

Well Worth a visit. Great selection of restaurants at good value . Great views over the countryside and of course the walled City

If you are in Toulouse, take a time to visit this church, really beautiful from outside and inside. The interior is beautiful, they kept the original walls and the art inside is definitely worth it to see.

Nice stained glass windows including two lovely Rose Windows. Nice quiet and peaceful place to sit on a very hot day.

Truly an epitome of the medieval history ! It’s a huge chateau, with spectacular views of the city ! The good thing is if you are fond of history, this place offers a relaxed and detailed stroll through the castle! We visited in March on a rainy day, so it was rather isolated which made it that much easier for us😀 if visiting in summer, you can also get a view of the vineyards in distance and it’s incredible !!

It was 14 July that I visited. Some part of castle are close maybe because of fireworks. Recommend to buy ticket online. You can go straight to checker with priority and no need to wait.

Best views in the Cité. Walk around the inside of the castle walls along the battlements and see inside the famous Château Comtal. This is the heart of the ancient fortress and if you are visiting Carcassonne this is well worth a visit and should not be missed. It takes around 45 minutes to view the interior of the building and then another 30 - 45 minutes to walk 400m along the battlements and through each of the watchtowers along the walls. An incredible walk.

Fantastic place to visit, you can walk around the towers and along the outer walls and find out about the remodelling and restoration work done. It could really do with a better museum though - there was nothing to explain the timeline of the buildings outside of the famous Cathar period.

Amazing place well worth the approx 2 hrs for a visit. Well priced and free under 18. Go early to avoid slow flow and book a ticket in advance.

Really beautiful, renovated castle with parts dating back to the eleventh century. Information provided in French, English and Spanish with audio guides available at extra cost. Stunning views of the city. Not suitable for disabled or older people.

Day of visit: June 9, 2023 Together with a good friend. - - - Beautiful castle with a fantastic view. Castle entrance a bit unclear marked on google maps. Certain route to the castle is not allowed. You need a ticket to visit the castle, the advantage is if you are under 26 you can enter for free! the Castle is immense and has many historical features. From the walls surrounding the castle you can see the entire region and the city of Carcassonne. Beautiful view. We had a ticket where the time slot only started 40 minutes later, but the person at the entrance was kind enough to let us in. Not really recommended for people who can't do stairs well because there are a lot of them! but good for the condition/work out. All in all fantastic visit! highly recommended!

It is such a beautiful ancient castle. Strongly recommended!!! You have enough time to walk through inside and surround places. When you are standing in somewhere this place, you will be thinking what happened in the past here. If you were born in that century, wow! This is a message from people who used to live here at that time. Lol. I really love in those architecture and decorating ideas. I would suggest a one day trip here that you should have at least 3 hours to explore this wonderful castle. Lastly, I really need to be here once more time if I could have that chance. Please leave or share your thoughts together below for other tourists and your friends.

Really enjoyed walking around this historic sight. Good tour of the Chateau with audio. Plenty to see and surrounded by plenty of shops and restaurants.

Gorgeous gorgeous castle. In the four days I was in the city I went to the castle about 5 times. Very pretty from any angle and any side street. And the inside of the castle is stunning. Definitely recommend to visit at any time of the day. I didn’t get a chance to experience it but I was told by a local friend that it presents spectacular sunset views (from the west side of the castle obviously). Great history and amazing architectural structure.

I’ve visited Carcassonne some times but it’s my first visit to it’s Castle, the Château Comtal. The visit was about one hour begun at the main entrance and finished near Basilic Saint-Nazaire. We’ve visited the castle which is empty, it’s museum and had a long walk up and down the long Carcassonne’s inner curtain wall passing sommes towers and chapel. I love the long walk as it offers amazing views of the medieval city of Carcassonne and it’s surrounding. Need to say there are quite a few stairs to go up and down, even some tiny spiral staircases. We’ve learned some amusing facts and legends at the museum. Ticket is 9.5 € / adult, free for under 25 years old ( ressortissants EU). We bought our ticket online to skip the line.

Well worth the visit and entrance price. More popular than I thought it'd be. Wish the night experience was offered during other parts of the year and not only summer. We visited in May and wish we could've seen the walls at night too. But during the day definitely still worth it.

Hands down one of my favourite castle experiences ever, not only because it was a stunning castle and absolute massive, but because it was less than €10 for entry. This price includes being able to walk along the ramparts which offer unparalleled views towards the mountains and across the city. A must do if in Carcassonne!

This is the central ring of the castle of the cité (Citadelle) of Carcassonne in France. Extensive and intensive experience. Very well restored, buildings from different eras, some of them older than our own era. Others (most of them) made during the XII century, and some others from the XIV century, and a restoration made during the XIX century. You can walk through the towers perimeter, see them from inside out. Very well documented.

So much history and stonework. Easy parking just before the paid parking. Getting crowded as peak season is approaching

Comtal Castle is the prime example of a medieval castle within a city. It has been tactifully restored with the rebuilding of roofs and some new brick. It is about 10 euro to enter depending on what category you are However for EU citzens who are 16-25 it is free. There are information placards throughout with just enough information explaing what a partiuclar wall, turret etc was used for. Inside the courtyard there are toilets but not drinking water. The main section will take about 50 minutes with the ramparts walk (that goes around half of the city) took about 30 minutes. If you buy tickets online you can just walk straight on in.

Very nice place if you want to spend some time in with yourself & even with family. Nice brasserie and restaurants.

Very nice, fully restored.For 9.50 you get to see inside the castle and walk around the ramparts. I recommend spending another three for the audio guide as you will get a bit more information on the history of the castle and the use of the fortifications. If you don't want to spend that money you can still visit the rest of the medieval city for free.

An amazingly complete and being restored fortress and chateau Great place just to walk around and imagine what it must have been like 700 to 1000 years ago Fabulous architecture. You can go back many times and still see new things.

Truly an epitome of the medieval history ! It’s a huge chateau, with spectacular views of the city ! The good thing is if you are fond of history, this place offers a relaxed and detailed stroll through the castle! We visited in March on a rainy day, so it was rather isolated which made it that much easier for us😀 if visiting in summer, you can also get a view of the vineyards in distance and it’s incredible !!

It was 14 July that I visited. Some part of castle are close maybe because of fireworks. Recommend to buy ticket online. You can go straight to checker with priority and no need to wait.

Best views in the Cité. Walk around the inside of the castle walls along the battlements and see inside the famous Château Comtal. This is the heart of the ancient fortress and if you are visiting Carcassonne this is well worth a visit and should not be missed. It takes around 45 minutes to view the interior of the building and then another 30 - 45 minutes to walk 400m along the battlements and through each of the watchtowers along the walls. An incredible walk.

Fantastic place to visit, you can walk around the towers and along the outer walls and find out about the remodelling and restoration work done. It could really do with a better museum though - there was nothing to explain the timeline of the buildings outside of the famous Cathar period.

Amazing place well worth the approx 2 hrs for a visit. Well priced and free under 18. Go early to avoid slow flow and book a ticket in advance.

Really beautiful, renovated castle with parts dating back to the eleventh century. Information provided in French, English and Spanish with audio guides available at extra cost. Stunning views of the city. Not suitable for disabled or older people.

Day of visit: June 9, 2023 Together with a good friend. - - - Beautiful castle with a fantastic view. Castle entrance a bit unclear marked on google maps. Certain route to the castle is not allowed. You need a ticket to visit the castle, the advantage is if you are under 26 you can enter for free! the Castle is immense and has many historical features. From the walls surrounding the castle you can see the entire region and the city of Carcassonne. Beautiful view. We had a ticket where the time slot only started 40 minutes later, but the person at the entrance was kind enough to let us in. Not really recommended for people who can't do stairs well because there are a lot of them! but good for the condition/work out. All in all fantastic visit! highly recommended!

It is such a beautiful ancient castle. Strongly recommended!!! You have enough time to walk through inside and surround places. When you are standing in somewhere this place, you will be thinking what happened in the past here. If you were born in that century, wow! This is a message from people who used to live here at that time. Lol. I really love in those architecture and decorating ideas. I would suggest a one day trip here that you should have at least 3 hours to explore this wonderful castle. Lastly, I really need to be here once more time if I could have that chance. Please leave or share your thoughts together below for other tourists and your friends.

Really enjoyed walking around this historic sight. Good tour of the Chateau with audio. Plenty to see and surrounded by plenty of shops and restaurants.

Gorgeous gorgeous castle. In the four days I was in the city I went to the castle about 5 times. Very pretty from any angle and any side street. And the inside of the castle is stunning. Definitely recommend to visit at any time of the day. I didn’t get a chance to experience it but I was told by a local friend that it presents spectacular sunset views (from the west side of the castle obviously). Great history and amazing architectural structure.

I’ve visited Carcassonne some times but it’s my first visit to it’s Castle, the Château Comtal. The visit was about one hour begun at the main entrance and finished near Basilic Saint-Nazaire. We’ve visited the castle which is empty, it’s museum and had a long walk up and down the long Carcassonne’s inner curtain wall passing sommes towers and chapel. I love the long walk as it offers amazing views of the medieval city of Carcassonne and it’s surrounding. Need to say there are quite a few stairs to go up and down, even some tiny spiral staircases. We’ve learned some amusing facts and legends at the museum. Ticket is 9.5 € / adult, free for under 25 years old ( ressortissants EU). We bought our ticket online to skip the line.

Well worth the visit and entrance price. More popular than I thought it'd be. Wish the night experience was offered during other parts of the year and not only summer. We visited in May and wish we could've seen the walls at night too. But during the day definitely still worth it.

Hands down one of my favourite castle experiences ever, not only because it was a stunning castle and absolute massive, but because it was less than €10 for entry. This price includes being able to walk along the ramparts which offer unparalleled views towards the mountains and across the city. A must do if in Carcassonne!

This is the central ring of the castle of the cité (Citadelle) of Carcassonne in France. Extensive and intensive experience. Very well restored, buildings from different eras, some of them older than our own era. Others (most of them) made during the XII century, and some others from the XIV century, and a restoration made during the XIX century. You can walk through the towers perimeter, see them from inside out. Very well documented.

So much history and stonework. Easy parking just before the paid parking. Getting crowded as peak season is approaching

Comtal Castle is the prime example of a medieval castle within a city. It has been tactifully restored with the rebuilding of roofs and some new brick. It is about 10 euro to enter depending on what category you are However for EU citzens who are 16-25 it is free. There are information placards throughout with just enough information explaing what a partiuclar wall, turret etc was used for. Inside the courtyard there are toilets but not drinking water. The main section will take about 50 minutes with the ramparts walk (that goes around half of the city) took about 30 minutes. If you buy tickets online you can just walk straight on in.

Very nice place if you want to spend some time in with yourself & even with family. Nice brasserie and restaurants.

Very nice, fully restored.For 9.50 you get to see inside the castle and walk around the ramparts. I recommend spending another three for the audio guide as you will get a bit more information on the history of the castle and the use of the fortifications. If you don't want to spend that money you can still visit the rest of the medieval city for free.

An amazingly complete and being restored fortress and chateau Great place just to walk around and imagine what it must have been like 700 to 1000 years ago Fabulous architecture. You can go back many times and still see new things.

The lake is beautiful, though many activities had finished at the end of August before our visit. At high season there's the lake walk, paddle boarding, water skiing with jumps, zip wire, floating inflatable water slide. There's a public loo (no paper or soap! Take your own!) The cafe at the water ski Jerry was nice and did ice cream, soft drinks, snacks, drinks, wine & beer as well as full meals etc and was beautifully situated and the staff were nice. We walked from Carcassonne - brisk 90 mins route via Carcassonne tourist board app - and would have liked to take the bus back. The regional bus app encouraged us to buy tickets on the app - these were not valid on the bus, the driver could not accept cards and I did not have €2.40 in change, so we had to walk back. The driver wasn't really very nice about it either and didn't really try to communicate with me about a resolution or even explain the problem properly, so I would like to see clearer information on the bus company app to avoid in future. I'm sure many tourists would like to know this! You also need to stand on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop, which isn't made clear either.

Nothing was open and the toilets were disgusting . Beautiful lake but deserted and sign posts not good. Seemed to walk miles.Bus fare only 1 euro each way.. Maybe better in summer but we won't be returning.

Great water park facility for families. Prices are fair and staff are friendly and helpful. Also has free parking... be mindful that it gets busy from mid-day. Well worth making this activity part of your family holiday if in the region of Carcassone.

We walked here on an off country road, through some lovely vineyards. great weather and a perfect walk. Took about 1 hour and 40 mins from the Gambetta. We took advantage of the bus on the way back, which was only 1Euro to get back each, absolute bargain! Plenty of little shops for food and drinks, the water was lovely and clean. Great surroundings with water facilities paddle boards, and boats to hire. A great day out and will definitely return.

A really nice lake with a nice sandy beach and a huge picnic area with trees and picnic tables. The teleski nautique should be booked in advance as only one person can use it at a time. There is a large free parking lot.

Beautiful lake in nature ruined by building a horrible water park blasting out music and noise. Visitors to the lake are only allowed to swim in a small area which gets busy and crowded. Disappointing.

It is a sand beach in a lake, therefore the water is sweet. We did not go for the water attractions, there are few of them, neither the restaurant. Just staying in the beach was good enough. There are public toilets you can use and they are fairly clean

A lot of activities around a small lake. Good, free facilities for changing and showering. Sand beach is nice. Insanely packed with people on a hot July day.

Great selection of places to sit in shade, sandy beach and good parking. Hard to know about all facilities as we went mid week out of season, so most weren’t open. We will go back for sure

Well worth a visit. We went on a hot day in early August. We got there early (like 9:30ish) and it did start to get a bit busier, but not rammed. But the beach is really nice and clean, the lake water was lovely. There's the big inflatable thing there, but we didn't go on that (but it was fun watching people using it), there are kayaks and pedalos to rent too, and a food and drink van (I think that opened at 10) Really nice morning out on a hot day, and free! A fun place and only a short drive from Carcassone. Plenty of parking.

We had a wonderful experience thank you very much. Joe’s tour was so full of his heartfelt passion and pride for his wine and both he and Liz were excellent hosts. Both food and wine were delicious and the 2 other couples were also wonderful company. We went on well into the evening. I managed to lose my phone and Liz was amazingly efficient at sorting this for me too. She’s a hero !!! This tour was exactly what we wanted and we would definitely visit again. Ruth x

This trip significantly exceeded our expectations. Liz and Joe are fantastic hosts are are very welcoming. We stayed 2 nights with them and enjoyed every single minute. From the moment we arrived we felt relaxed and were welcomed with open arms. Joe's wine is fantastic (and abundant) and he is passionate about how he makes it. Liz is a fantastic cook, and for people who did not book food with their visit, they have really missed out. We arrived early and Liz made us a fantastic salad on the first night, the breakfasts were out of this world, and Liz took note of things we really liked and offered us something based on that. Our meal was Michelin star standard, and beautifully paired with Joe's wine. The whole house was exceptionally clean and furnished with tasetfull stylish furniture. I really liked the fact they did not do a hard sell of the wine which I thought would have been fairly common, I think the wine is so good, that people just buy it. Our only regret was that we were limited for luggage and could not take more. Overall, a fantastic experience and one that I would like to repeat and visit them both again, we would like to class both as friends. Thank you for a great time.

In a word; sublime! Joe and Liz were fantastic hosts from the moment we arrived. We were a party of four, and we booked the ‘Winery Tour and Merrymaking’ experience. And boy, we were merry! For more than 3 hours our glasses were never empty! Joe’s stories of making the leap from construction in Massachusetts to winemaking in France were so entertaining, and Liz’s food was par excellence. I would not hesitate in recommending this experience to anyone who enjoys good wine and good food and would like to learn a little about wine making, but more importantly anyone who wants to have an enjoyable time. I would also like to thank Liz for arranging our taxis there and back. We were staying in a very remote area, and without Liz’s help we would have been stuck for transport.

Absolute joy of a vineyard to visit! Joe and Liz are the best of hosts and we felt like friends rather than visitors. The wine is delicious as was the food. A short taxi from central Carcassonne (€20). We will definitely be back!

Favorite experience so far of our vacation from the United States. Incredible wine tasting, tour & learning from Joe. Incredible meal, conversation & dessert from Liz. They even helped us call an easy cab on our way. They are masters at hosting. They make you feel both like family + honored, royal guests. If you are visiting carcassonne, you must come here. Absolutely incredible experience, worth every dollar, and we will be back.

Wonderful experience! Everything was excellent: from the first welcome wine of glass, through the very nice and interesting winery tour, then delicious dinner in extraordinary environment. The guest bedroom was nice, comfortable, with charming view from balcony to surrounding hills and vineyards. Breakfasts were delicious, on both morning. Thanks Liz and Joe for the very nice weekend!

Fantastic experience, not the regular academic wine event with limited wine. Liz and Joe shared their personal experience entering a very competitive industry in another country. They enjoyed answering questions while explaining the different wines we were tasting. The setting is amazing and the food made by them very nice. You can see how engaged they are with their project and showing it to visitors. We bought several bottles to take with us.

My husband booked this tour for us having read the the great reviews, we were not disappointed. We were staying just on the outskirts of Carcassonne and travelled by taxi to the vineyard which is situated in Villemoustaussou, it took a little over 10 minutes and only cost around 15 euros. We were met by Joe and his wife Liz on arrival, who welcomed us with a lovely chilled glass of white wine. We were joined by another English couple and a Dutch couple, after introductions Joe began telling us about the vineyard and then took us on a tour, which was very informative and interesting. We were shown around the fermentation room and Joe talked through the process, we got to sample some of the wine directly from the tanks, which was lovely. Joe explained that you could mix the wines to create your own flavours, which of course we did. Very nice indeed! After the tour we were then shown back to the house where Liz had cooked us some lovely food, this was accompanied by more wine. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and of course we had to buy some of the wine, I am looking forward to it arriving :) Well worth a visit and we will be back when we are next in the area.

Fantastic experience - Joe provided an informative tour. Both Joe and Liz-were very generous with their time and the wine! Perfect hosts. We stayed well beyond our 2 hour tour, listening too some wonderful tales. Liz provided a impressive plate of food. I look forward to visiting again.

We were a party of 6 visiting for the 4 hour Wine & Dine Celebration evening. We had previously visited for lunch many years ago and wanted to revisit. After a welcome glass of wine (or 2) Joe took us on a tour of the vineyards and winery, where we tried some tank and barrel samples. Joe is a very entertaining host. We were joined by 4 other visitors which worked really well and we had a lot of fun. The food Liz served up was sublime and Joe spent the evening pouring his wines to match the courses. Extra glasses no problem. We didn't want it to end but it was probably a good job the taxi arrived to take us home.

We did the (3) wine tasting and vineyard tour. Joe is simply the best host you could wish for. He was informative and interesting and gave us plenty of opportunity to learn about and taste his wonderful wines. The food plate served at the end by Liz was gorgeous. I 100% recommend this experience!!

Vast cavern complex well worth a visit. Take your own time with small handset which explains the history of exploration and some basic geology too. Don’t get your stalactites and stalagmites confused!

Perfect for a warm summer day. Take a pull over with you :-)

I’m sorry to say, but photos don’t do this Cavan justice it’s huge and learning all about stalactites and stalagmites and all the other formations in there is incredible. But wear warm clothes as it’s a constant 14 Celsius in the cavern.

We visited with my family, and although our visit was short, the place was still magnificent. We paid €60 for four tickets for a 20-30 minute visit. To be honest, I have visited a much better grotto (Jeita Grotto) in Lebanon for a much cheaper price. I recommend that they reduce the price to €5. It is definitely not worth €15 per person

Very nice to visit. Impressive gallery. Just not used to getting asked tips for a 45eur family ticket of 3. Please pay your employees (which I assume you do as custom in EU) and don't go US style as it will make everything increasingly more expensive

Great experience but definitely get the additional guide in English. Which would have cost a little extra but worth it. Even with reasonable French I couldn't follow 😒

A trip for more than 3 hours full of adventures as if you are in another world, It was a wonderful and exceptional trip. It is amazing to be underground and discover a river running between the rocks and use boats to move with a wonderful and informative guide👍👍👍, Florent👍👍👍. Thank you for that experience that you will never forget.

Cool place to visite

Can really recommend the cave. The size and sight of it is just amazing. They have audio guides in multiple language with information about the cave and how it is formed.

Breathtaking.... audio guide is great, gonat your own pace... definitely coming back for the adventure options where you can go right into the caves and the .... abyss...

A wonderful self paced tour with audio guide provides an excellent look into the making of the cave and its history. Wide open cavern is god if you do t like small spaces. Allow 1-1.5 hours from parking to driving away. Hiking path above the caves is a good contrast. Below along the main road is the small town with some restaurants.

Amazing cave, it has one big hall which is enormous and full of crystal formations. We went for the underground river tour, it takes over three hours and you should be in good physical condition since the tour starts and ends at the top of the aforementioned gigantic hall but the river is in 200 meters deep - which means lots of stairs and climbing. It's absolutely worth it though! It's really quiet down there and eerily beautiful, you can really feel it's millions of years old. Our guide was helpful, funny and gave detailed information about the cave - all in French. Bring good shoes and an extra pair to change into when you're done, you're gonna walk in knee deep water and you're gonna love it!

Absolutely amazing caves, lovely drive to get there too!! The place is immense, you can walk round on your with a device to listen to, it's lovely and cool on a hot day too. Surrounded my beautiful scenery. You can also book to go caving and canoeing with experts which looked brilliant, but not my thing.

Great experience on the subterranean River activity. Our guide Romain was amazing, very knowledgeable. A morning well spent in an awe inspiring setting.

💯 percent worth the drive up into the hills for an hour exploring in this awesome cavern. Caving for the normal person, on an easy route, great audio guide, and amazing views.

This was a great experience, 400 million year old cave. Good set up with audio guide and all numbered. Recommend this on your visit to this area.

Amazing, site. 3rd or 4th time I've done the tour. Lovely and cool on a hot day. Great host, tour audio-guide available in multiple languages. It's a must see.

An awesome underground cavern, well worth a visit. Very well organised and a handy recorded guide is included to give you clear explanations of the rock formations and history of the caves. Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, high in the hills.

It was very good. We took our 7 year old grandson & he loved it. We joined the guided tour which was good but perhaps a little bit long for younger children. I think the reason for that was because there were a large number of people on our tour so we stayed at each place so everyone could see the animals. It was the 2nd time we have been to the Park, we went a couple of years ago with our older grandson & he enjoyed it too. The young lady who conducted the tour was great...@ the beginning of the tour she brought out a tiny baby Joey who was adorable! Thanks.

visited the park with some friends, unfortunately they didn't had an English language tour guide, only French. managed to feed the kangaroos, parrots and wallabies. great for kids and adults, as well, would need some reconditioning or renovation.

Nice experience and interesting tour guide in French. Very good for kids. The budgies were the highlight. There is also a gold digging challenge at the end!

Great day out, take a picnic with you there is plenty of room inside the park, or you could have the menu of the day.

The guided tour was fun, and the gift shop has some lovely items I can't buy because flying home...

Lovely place for a quick escape. We leaned a lot about the animals. The kids were very exited. We took special tickets for the kids and rhey spend a whole day taking care of the animals. They fed the kangaroos and the birds. The animators were very kind with the kids and they made the day super fun.

Had a great couple of hours here whilst on holiday, we loved feeding the animals and they are all well looked after, great gift shop too!!

Cracking day out! Don't expect too much but too be out in the sun! Enjoy the uniqueness of it and just also enjoy the cost effective date out! Cheap dayout and make the most of a lovely day out with Kangaroos, wallabies and bird feeding out of hands!

Fabulous place to get very up close to animals you would rarely get to see in their normal environment. Really friendly staff and a lovely afternoon for the family

Something else to do whilst visiting Carcassonne. The history of Australia and its people was interesting, aimed at children perhaps, the animals were charming and it was lovely to be able to feed budgies, ostrich and wallabies. Some of the ostriches were either battling each other, anxiety or mites, as they had lost a lost of feathers, which was a bit alarming. The camel seemed happy but the donkey companion was not interested in humans at all! The shop is well stocked and supplied a welcome ice cream at the end. It was off season, but there's a cafe on site as well as the all season b-y-o picnic areas, during high season visits. If visiting by bus, get route 2 out of Carcassonne, and get off at Stade de Montlegun. Plan carefully, as the bus is infrequent, and check if the day of your visit is a day with guided feeding.

The zoo is not very big and has mostly Australian animals. However, it is very suitable for children, as they can feed parrots and ostriches, touch a live kangaroo (wallaby) and baby goats. I recommend. It's a good idea to set aside at least two hours to explore it.

Not like a haunted house at the fair, this was a really different and surprising experience. Perfect amount of scaryness. 8 euros is fine for this kind of fun.

Loved it! It was exactly like a jump-scare horror movie, the adrenalin was definitely high!

Honestly, this place is a hoot. It's so low budget (most of the spooks are from people popping out behind you and tapping you or the doors suddenly closing and leaving you alone in a room), but it is terrifying nonetheless. This is like the Blair Witch Project of haunted houses: basic, low tech tricks that freak you out in a fun way.

Really boring. Do not waste your time. Cheesy.

I definitely recommend if you want a good scare! Entering in this haunted house is like being in a horror movie. The actor playing the ghoul is brilliant, very credible and absolutely terrifying. I don’t think kids or people who get scared easily should do it… it’s not for the faint hearted! I went with my younger sister and she was pretty traumatized by the experience.

Excellent value and great fun. The highlight of our visit to wonderful Carcassonne. Two adults and 14 year & 17yr old. Our 14 year old got too scared and they were excellent in helping her exit. The rest of us went on and seriously had a great time. Definitely recommend and truly outstanding value. Excellent staff👍

Went with my 13 and 15yr olds, but only lasted the first room. Great fun, but scared the hell out of all 3 of us, had to leave. Really well done, would definitely recommend.

This place deserves a spot in the history books of Carcassonne and I am not exaggerating. For €9 an adult it’s a must see in the old town. You may have some idea that a haunted house is some show jarring with everything surrounding it, you’re wrong. You can’t afford to miss it. A friend and I decided to nip in on a whim, driven by buckets of rain to be fair… and spent the entire time laughing to the point of breathlessness. If you’re looking for a proper scare you’ll get it here… if you have a dark sense of humour you should probably live here. To the guys that run the place, that was honestly the best money spent on our trip. Thanks for the laugh, legends.

I walked along the side of this 'tourist attraction'. I had not interacted with it in any way. Suddenly a door banged VERY loudly and a man leapt out in front of me screaming. I got a huge fright was shaking and very upset. I screamed and was left to feel foolish with the man exclaiming 'it was only a joke'. There was no apology, he did not check I was OK. He had no idea who he was jumping out on - it took me an hour to feel OK again.

Amazing experience. The host and employees are super nice. We were a bit sad because the castle was closed (strike) and this gem greatly improved our mood.

I‘ve been there today and had a blast. As a metalhead I felt like on a festival but with jumpscares. I hope I didn’t ruin the mood of the actors by smiling from one ear to the other all the time. I really like what they created in this place. Very good variations and good ideas. It really made my day!

Pretty bridge linking the new town with the old town and the Cite (chateau). You actually get better views of the Cite from the new bridge (less trees in the way), but this is much nicer to stroll across. A bonus is you may get to see the coypu swimming about in the river!

A great place to grab your first views of Cite de Carrcassone. The bridge is simple and wide. It has been repaved so you are walking on asphalt not cobble stones. There are ample photo opportunities. Either end of the bridge can get a bit steep so watch out for the lower mobile in your group. Perfect way to start your walk from the town to the old city.

(Translated by Google) The Ponte Vecchio corresponds to the main entrance to the Fortified Citadel. In 10 minutes on foot you can reach the castle. It is also part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. (Original) Il Ponte Vecchio corrisponde all’ingresso principale alla Cittadella Fortificata. In 10 minuti a piedi è possibile raggiungere il castello. È anche parte del Cammino di Santiago di Compostela.

A lovely stone bridge with a view of the Cite. The river beneath it had ducks and we spent some time watching the waters.

Very pretty the view from here you can take great pictures. At sunset the castle looks beautiful

(Translated by Google) The bridge that connects the lower part of the upper part of Carcassonne is a mandatory crossing point. (Original) Ponte que liga a parte baixa da alta de Carcassonne é ponto obrigatório de passagem.

Lovely historic bridge

Fabulous views of old city and river. Beautiful bridge

It's definitely worth crossing this historical bridge heading towards the castle cite.... have a nice stroll and soak in the lovely river/castle/city view....there is a public paid carpark conveniently located at the end of the bridge.

Nice view on the Castel

Crossing this bridge is on the way to Carcassone Castle. Beautiful views of the river from here.

It's always bustling with tourists in Carcassonne, but the city is magical and there's nowhere better to get your first view than from the Pont Vieux. The stately arches over the Aude immediately set your mind in the mediaeval period, and the view of the walls and turrets of the city rising over the trees are breathtaking. We saw three coypu swimming up the river one at a time, nibbling on the weed as they went, which was an unexpected treat (and led to us Googling just what it was that we were watching, as they aren't common back home!)

Lovely old bridge. Spotted some coypu's swimming about down below as well, very cute

Beautiful view of the castle from here. Especially at night when the castle is lit up

A beautiful cathedral. Sadly funds are probably limited and the building inside is showing signs of damp. Some of the wall art is peeling but its certainly worth a visit and if you need a quiet place to spend a few moments this is for you.

Beautiful church. We were there on Sunday morning around 1100, so caught a bit of the service. Not sure why, but there were armed soldiers nearby. We only stayed a few minutes, but it was interesting to see the start of the service. Not sure if it is open other days.

Impressive historical city, where living the middle Eve atmosphere.

Fantastic atmospheric Catholic cathedral with beautiful stained glass, lovely lighting, interesting Chapels and ancient history. We are lucky to be staying nearby where we enjoy views of the gargoyles and Tower.

Beautiful, reverent Catholic cathedral! Colorful interior - highly recommended a visit. Stay for Mass if you can!

It's a very historical church near the town center...they only open few hours a day (make sure you check timing)...lovely to spend some time in the church to see all the great builds so many centuries ago

Beautiful and peaceful. It’s a very well kept place and a must see when you are in Carcassonne. The entry is free; however, one must check the opening times before making their way. The main entrance was closed for my visit; however, there was a small entrance hidden on the side road. It also has a chapel inside which was closed for my visit

We attended Sunday mass here and it was very solemn. I liked how the stained glass provided the church different light shades. Nice church for quiet contemplation and prayer.

Impressive cathedral, with looming ambiance and sparkles of light shining through the stained glass. Only downside for the moment is the maintenance work around it, but once done the paths will be smooth and such.

The museum is beautifully situated, featuring an intriguing architectural design. Inside, the exhibits are thoughtfully arranged. During my visit with my daughter, I finished exploring before she did. While waiting outside, my daughter returned, clearly disappointed. It turns out the museum's receptionist noticed I had finished and urged her to leave quickly.

This is so cool. A good piece of history.

History of public schooling in France. Very interesting.

Nice to see the old time

(Translated by Google) Not to be missed for those who have known the pen and inkwell. Everything is from the period, a real step back, you can even try writing with a pen. My grandchildren were delighted and so were we. Note the exceptional welcome from the museum staff. To do absolutely. (Original) A ne pas rater pour ceux qui ont connu le plumier et l'encrier. Tout est d'époque, un vrai bon en arrière, on peut même s'essayer à l'écriture à la plume. Mes petits enfants étaient ravis et nous aussi. A souligner l'accueil exceptionnel du personnel du musée. A faire absolument.

(Translated by Google) An enchanting journey through time. We find ourselves becoming a schoolboy again during the visit. Old maps, old books and pen writing, a joy that reminds us of our history. (Original) Un voyage enchanteur dans le temps. On se surprend à redevenir écolier le temps de la visite. De vielles cartes, d'anciens livres et de l'écriture à la plume, un bonheur qui nous rappelle notre histoire.

(Translated by Google) This museum tells the history of the school and its evolution over time. To visit when you visit the city of Carcassonne (Original) Ce musée raconte l’histoire de l’école, son évolution au fil du temps. À visiter lorsque vous visitez la cité de Carcassonne

(Translated by Google) A timeless stroll through this pretty museum run by very friendly people. Old documents, standards, furniture, equipment... everything takes us back to the school of the past. Beautiful perspective. The children loved the different activities. The last room filled with old manuals makes you want to leaf through them... too bad they are inaccessible because they are too fragile. (Original) Balade hors du temps au sein de ce joli musée tenu par des personnes très sympathiques. Les documents anciens, les normes, les mobiliers, le matériel... tout nous replonge dans l’ecole d’avant. Belle perspective. Les enfants ont adoré les différentes activités. La dernière pièce rempli d’anciens manuels donnent envie de les feuilleter...dommage qu’ils soient inaccessible car trop fragiles.