Carcassonne Travel Guide

Carcassonne

Airport Information

Carcassonne Airport is 5 Km from Carcassonne city centre. Agglo'bus operate a bus service into the city centre. Journey time is 15 minutes and cost is €5 one way.The bus stop is located in front of the airport. Information on timetables is available on www.carcassonne.aeroport.fr. There is a taxi rank in front of the airport. Journey time into the city is 10 minutes and the cost is between €10.00 and €12.00.

Places to see

Activities

Carcassonne Activities & Tours

Accompanied by a regional guide from the tourist office, discover Carcassonne and its famous Medieval City with its 52 towers. The visit will end on the banks of the Canal du Midi. www.carcassonne-tourisme.com

Canal du Midi

Discover the Canal du Midi: by strolling along its banks on the outskirts of Carcassonne, by hiring a bike and going for a ride between Carcassonne and Trèbes or Carcassonne and Castelnaudary, by taking a guided boat trip, by taking the time to explore the region in a hired boat, by making a stopover at Carcassonne marina. www.carcassonne-tourisme.com

Attractions

The Dame Carcass

More than a monument: a legend! The stories are part of a Charlemagne epic, and the most famous is the tale of Dame Carcas, a Saracen woman who is said to have defended the town for seven years in the face of the fearsome emperor. As Charlemagne was preparing to lift the siege, Dame Carcas is said to have called him, causing one of his close advisers to say "Sire, Carcas is calling you" (Carcas te sonne), hence the name of the town.

The Old Bridge

The stone bridge that replaced the medieval structure previously built upstream, where the roman bridge lay, dates back to the early 14th century. www.carcassonne-tourisme.com

Nightlife

Carpe diem

Tapas and Languedoc-Roussillon wines. At Carpe Diem you can relish the real tastes of the Region. 14 bis rue Georges Brassens / 29 rue du Pont Vieux 11000 Carcassonne Tél : 09 54 22 28 85www.estelle-carpediem.eu

KM Discothèque

TThe most amusing and trendy place where have a good time in the Carcassonne nights. RN113 route de narbonne (direction Trèbes) 11000 Carcassonne Tél : 06 19 18 47 27 km.discotheque@gmail.com

Restaurants

Auberge Dame Carcas

3 Place du Château - La Cité 11000 Carcassonne www.damecarcas.com

Auberge des Ducs d’Oc

6 Place du Château - La Cité 11000 Carcassonnewww.auberge-des-ducs-doc.fr

Le bar à vins

6 Rue du Plô, La Cité - 11000 Carcassonne - Tél : 04 68 47 38 38

Shopping

La boutique de La Maison Coste

40 rue Coste Reboulh A home accessories and décor shop selling soft furnishings, tableware, china, decorative items, fabrics, paint and even furniture (to order).

Comptoir des Tisseurs

25, rue de la République Just across the street from Esprit de Sel – a smart homewares and décor shop, with the accent firmly on subtle, muted tones rather than your more typical, brighter, south of France shades.

Top 5 Things to Do

THE MEDIEVAL CITY OF CARCASSONNE

The Counts Castle (12th-13th centuries) has double perimeter walls and 52 towers. St Nazaire basilica, romanesque and gothic styles. On the left bank of the Aude river, the Lower Town (13th century) is worth a visit. Very famous fireworks : July 14th. Tournements (Medieval Pageantry) from July 3rd to August 29th. Web: www.audetourisme.com and www.carcassonne-en-pays-cathare.com.

THE CITADELS OF DIZZYING HEIGHTS

Founded at the end of the 11th century by the Benedictines, it immediately became very prosperous. Affiliated to the Cistecrian order in 1145, it was a bastion of religious orthodoxy during the period of the crusade against the Albigensian heretics. Web : www.audetourisme.com.

CANAL DU MIDI ET DE LA ROBINE

Undertaken by Pierre-Paul Riquet in the 17th century to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, it crosses the Aude from West to East over a distance of more than 100 kms. House boating holidays is popular from the main towns on the Canal: Castelnaudary, Bram, Carcassonne, Trèbes, Homps, Le Somail, Argens-Minervois, Ginestas, Narbonne. Passenger boat: from 1 hour to a few days on the Canal departing from Castelnaudary, Bram, Carcassonne, Trèbes, Homps, Le Somail, Narbonne. You can also hire bikes along the canal. Web : www.audetourisme.com

NARBONNE AND THE BLUE MEDITERRANEAN COAST

Every year, the Escapades Guide offers a new selection of exceptional tourist sites in the Narbonne region in border of Mediterranean. This guide offers an insight into a region of multiple facets, the opportunity to explore its preserved natural landscapes. Make the most of a leisurely tour or relax around a glass of the fine wines and quality produce from the area. The region’s charms will cast a spell over you too, for sure!

TO ORGANIZE YOUR TRIP IN THE CATHAR COUNTRY

To learn everything about the best things to do in our beautiful country, the best things to taste and to discover, please check this new website : www.shopping-in-cpc.com. You’ll find all what you like, all that you’ll like and many contacts to prepare your trip.