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Carcassonne
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Driving distance from Calais:
658 miles (Approx. 9hrs 45m)
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Resort Info
Why Carcassonne?
- Gateway to many of the area's top attractions, including Cite de Carcassonne.
- Rich variety of historical and cultural heritage
- Traditional and charming City with fantastic wine growing history
Occupied since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between the links of the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. Its strategic importance was quickly recognised by the Romans who occupied its hilltop until the demise of their western empire and was later taken over by the Visigoths in the fifth century who founded the city, also thriving as a trading post due to its location. Carcassonne saw many rulers who successively built up its fortifications up until its military significance was greatly reduced by the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.
Carcassonne is divided into two main parts: The town centre (known as the ville basse, literally 'lower city', where the sights and hotels are located) and The Cité de Carcassonne. The Cité de Carcassonne is famous for being a medieval fortress restored by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1853 and was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. This area of Carcassonne greatly profits from tourism but also counts manufacture and wine-making as some of its other key economic sectors. Further sights include: Pont Marengo, the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse, the Carcassonne Cathedral and the Church of St. Vincent, Central Square, Canal du Midi and wine tasting.
In the shadow of its smaller but more famous sibling, the ‘La Cité’ citadel, Carcassonne’s (lower) town dates back to the Middle Ages. Known as the ‘Bastide Saint Louis’, it features typically French bars, shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as all the standard services and amenities you’d expect, and as such it’s the perfect antidote to the tourist attraction that towers above it. Sample the town’s charms by simply strolling through its streets. Drink in the atmosphere and enjoy the authentically gallic experience; this part of Carcassonne is home to a handful of charming boutiques, several great places to eat and a couple of unusually stylish overnight options.
Office de Tourisme de Carcassonne
28 rue de Verdun, 11890
Carcassonne Cedex 9
Tel: +33468 102 430
Website: http://www.tourism-carcassonne.co.uk/
Tourism Office Opening Hours:
July-August : 9am-7pm
April-June & September: 9am-6pm (Mon-Sat) & 10am-1pm (Sun & Bank Holidays)
October: 9am-6pm (Mon-Sat)
November-March: 9.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-5.30pm (Mon-Sat)
- Opening Times
- Activities
- Eating
- Access
- Resort News
Opening Times
Carcassonne opening dates: All year.
Activities
Sports & Leisure
Wine Tasting
Boutique Shops
Museum of Fine Arts
Sports complex (incl. Tennis)
Leisure Parks
Carcassonne Kitchen
O2 Aventure Lac de la Cavayere
Theatre Jean Deschamps
Spa Carita
Royal Kids Parc de jeux
Culture and Heritage
Medieval Jousting
Tourture Museum
Festival de Carcassonne
The Walls of the Carcassonne Citadel
Central Square
Cathar Castle Tours
Medieval Castles and Abbeys of Corbieres
Basilica of Saint Nazaire
St Vincent's Church
Museum of the Middle Ages
Museum of Chivalry, Arms and Archery
Natural Wonders & Nature
Barge Trips
Lac de la Cavayere
Nature Parks
Eating
Eating/Nightlife:
Don't leave Carcassonne without trying cassoulet, a local dish made of beans, sausage and duck. Foie gras is also a speciality of the region, so expect it to be on many menus. There are bars around the train station (la gare) that offer cheap food. There are a few restaurants on rue Trivalle, the road that connects the town centre with the Cité. Le Trivalou (69 rue Trivalle) has very friendly service and delicious home-made dishes, including cassoulet (€16). There are also quite a few restaurants clustered around the main square inside the Cité, the majority of which have outside tables so you can people-watch and enjoy the buzz of the square on summer evenings!
Cité Restaurants
La Barbacane
Chez Saskia
Restaurant Comte Roger
Brasserie le Donjon
La Cotte de Mailles
Restaurants
La Cathare
14, rue Georges Brassens
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 47 97 09
La Cathare is so different from all the other restaurants in Carcassonne. It is hidden away from the main scene, yet so close to Place Carnot. The open fire is a tremendous feature in all seasons. You are sure to enjoy the food, wine and atmosphere.
Le Parc Franck Putelat
Chemin des Anglais
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 71 80 80
Carcassonne’s fanciest restaurant is located just outside the town. A 2-star chef whips up super fare - ‘modern French’ in style. Outdoor seating is available in summer in the garden. The lunchtime menu offers great value.
L'Als Assiette
29 Rue Armagnac
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 26 64 54
Simple, unassuming Alsace-themed restaurant near the Canal. Very tasty but simple food, rustic décor and friendly service.
Restaurant La Marquiere
13 rue St Jean
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 71 52 00
Good food in a pleasant, traditional atmosphere, up near the Carcassonne citadel. The food is traditional French without being too fussy, and very tasty.
L'Escargot
7 Rue Viollet le Duc
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 47 12 55
Another good French restaurant up near Carcassonne’s medieval citadel. More modern and less formal than La Marquiere, both in terms of the food and décor. The tapas is very good.
Le Jardin en Ville
5, rue des Framboisiers
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 47 80 91
With a menu dictated by the fresh produce in season, this place serves nice french style cuisine and has an interesting retro charm. Up top is a nice open-air terrace.
Bars, Pubs etc.
The Celt (Traditional Irish Pub with a touch of class)
Le Verre d'un (Wine Bar)
Cafe La Metairie (Enjoy a glass of wine with a stunning panoramic viewt of the old medieval city of Carcassonne)
Pop Bar (Bar/Nightclub)
Le 98 (Pub with Music)
Access
Road
Driving distance from Calais: 1053km, 9hrs 30
Driving distance from Le Harve: 919km, 8hrs 30
Driving distance from Caen: 863km, 8hrs 20
Driving distance from Cherbourg: 1053km, 9hrs 20
Driving distance from Saint Malo: 861km, 7hrs 40
Driving distance from Bilbao: 532km, 4hrs 55
Driving distance from Santander: 628km, 5hrs 55
Air
Carcassonne Airport - Carcassonne to Carcassonne: 5km, approx. 10mins
Website: http://www.aeroport-carcassonne.com/
Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport - Perpignan to Carcassonne: 113km, approx. 1hr 5mins
Website: http://www.aeroport-perpignan.com/
International Airport Toulouse - Blagnac to Carcassonne: 104km, approx. 1hr 5mins
Website: http://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/
Montpellier Mediterranean Airport - Montpellier to Carcassonne: 155km, approx. 1hr 30mins
Website: http://www.montpellier.aeroport.fr/en/
Private taxi transfers from airports to Carcassonne are pre-bookable via Pyrenees Collection.
Rail
Carcassonne railway station is situated on the Bordeaux - Sète and Carcassonne - Rivesaltes SNCF lines. High speed TGV trains from Lille, Bruxelles, Dijon, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse call at Carcassone. Slower Corail Téoz between Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Paris towards Cerbère and Port-Bou (and overnight Corail Lunéa couchette trains between Paris and Cerbère / Port-Bou) also stop. An extensive network of frequent, modern and comfortable regional services are provided by SNCF's TER Languedoc-Roussillon, with services to Toulouse, Narbonne, Marseille, Cerbère, Perpignan, Limoux and Quillan. The train journey from Toulouse is around 1h to 1h15 depending on the train type.
Bus transfer/Taxi
A shuttle bus (navette aéroport in French; 5€ per person) runs between Carcassonne airport and Carcassonne town centre (SNCF railway station). Some shuttle buses (but not all) also stop at the Cité. A taxi between Carcassonne airport and Carcassonne town centre costs around €10-15, whilst a taxi between the airport and the Cité costs around €15-20.
Car Hire
TBC
Resort News
Coming soon
Other Accommodation In: Carcassonne
La Barbacane Residence
3* Apartments Sleeps 2-4
Just 50m from the Medieval City
This centrally located, modern residence is set in its own gardens located just 50m from the Medieval City. Close to shops, restaurants and bars.
3* Apartments Sleeps 2-4
Just 50m from the Medieval City
This centrally located, modern residence is set in its own gardens located just 50m from the Medieval City. Close to shops, restaurants and bars.
Hotel Le Terminus
3* Superior Hotel Sleeps 2-3
Close to the Canal du Midi & City
This elegant hotel built in the 1900s is located beside the river, a 5 minute walk from the train station & is close to the shopping area & medieval city of Carcassonne.
3* Superior Hotel Sleeps 2-3
Close to the Canal du Midi & City
This elegant hotel built in the 1900s is located beside the river, a 5 minute walk from the train station & is close to the shopping area & medieval city of Carcassonne.
