La Maison de l'Ambassadeur
Sightseeing
A walk up to the four Cathar castles of Lastours is not to be missed. The setting and the views are impressive. Don't forget to visit the Belvedere Montfermier on your way back, where there is a magnificent vista of the whole site .
44 locals recommend
Lastours
A walk up to the four Cathar castles of Lastours is not to be missed. The setting and the views are impressive. Don't forget to visit the Belvedere Montfermier on your way back, where there is a magnificent vista of the whole site .
About 40 minutes from Carcassonne this is worth a visit for the stunning mediaeval square and cathedral. It also has a good sprinkling of antique shops (brocantes). There are frequent food and wine festivals here.
182 locals recommend
Mirepoix
About 40 minutes from Carcassonne this is worth a visit for the stunning mediaeval square and cathedral. It also has a good sprinkling of antique shops (brocantes). There are frequent food and wine festivals here.
Probably the most spectacular Cather Castle of them all. A short, steep walk rewards you with a very atmospheric castle ruin and incredible views of the Aude.
47 locals recommend
Montségur
Probably the most spectacular Cather Castle of them all. A short, steep walk rewards you with a very atmospheric castle ruin and incredible views of the Aude.
This is the main reason people flock to Carcassonne in their droves. A bit touristy but still essential. Go in the evening to avoid the coach trips and have a meal, or go for a drink. The most spectacular firework show in all of France is set here on Bastille Day. During the day a walk along the ramparts is well worth the modest fee, although this is packaged in with the visit to the castle.
298 locals recommend
La Cité Médiévale
This is the main reason people flock to Carcassonne in their droves. A bit touristy but still essential. Go in the evening to avoid the coach trips and have a meal, or go for a drink. The most spectacular firework show in all of France is set here on Bastille Day. During the day a walk along the ramparts is well worth the modest fee, although this is packaged in with the visit to the castle.
A beautiful village known for its red marble, used extensively in its lovely cathedral and in the sculptures that line its river.
50 locals recommend
Caunes-Minervois
A beautiful village known for its red marble, used extensively in its lovely cathedral and in the sculptures that line its river.
Only 45 minutes from Carcassonne by train or an hour by car the “pink city” is vibrant, cosmopolitan and beautiful. It has great museums, churches, restaurants and a huge covered food market. It’s also on the Canal du Midi. Lunch in the Capitol square is recommended.
329 locals recommend
Toulouse
Only 45 minutes from Carcassonne by train or an hour by car the “pink city” is vibrant, cosmopolitan and beautiful. It has great museums, churches, restaurants and a huge covered food market. It’s also on the Canal du Midi. Lunch in the Capitol square is recommended.
Activity
Take a bike ride along the canal du midi to Trèbes, where you can eat seafood on the canalside before returning home.
268 locals recommend
Canal du Midi
Take a bike ride along the canal du midi to Trèbes, where you can eat seafood on the canalside before returning home.
Great place for a swim, paddle board and fixed line water skiing (teleski nautique). Base yourself by the teleski for the best food and refreshments. There is an inflatable water park for the kids.
223 locals recommend
Lac de la Cavayere
Great place for a swim, paddle board and fixed line water skiing (teleski nautique). Base yourself by the teleski for the best food and refreshments. There is an inflatable water park for the kids.
Enjoy swimming and a large choice of watersports at this huge lake in Les Montagnes Noires, north of Carcassonne.
30 locals recommend
Base de Loisirs du Lac des Montagnès
Enjoy swimming and a large choice of watersports at this huge lake in Les Montagnes Noires, north of Carcassonne.
An unspoilt beach resort in the Languedoc, La Franqui beach is a hidden gem. Small and relaxed.
45 locals recommend
Plage de la Franqui
An unspoilt beach resort in the Languedoc, La Franqui beach is a hidden gem. Small and relaxed.
Food scene
This restaurant offers delicious small plates as well as good steaks. Try the snails Catalan style and the squid. The wine list is good and, better still, it has a terrace that overlooks the castle.
8 locals recommend
Le Créneau
6 Pl. Saint-JeanThis restaurant offers delicious small plates as well as good steaks. Try the snails Catalan style and the squid. The wine list is good and, better still, it has a terrace that overlooks the castle.
This place offers set meals with a little more finesse and sophistication than the average
53 locals recommend
Brasserie a 4 Temps
2 Bd BarbèsThis place offers set meals with a little more finesse and sophistication than the average
This place is famed for its hearty cuisine and generous portions. The lunch time deal is hard to beat, and its a struggle to finish two courses.
19 locals recommend
Au lard et au cochon
2 Rue DenisseThis place is famed for its hearty cuisine and generous portions. The lunch time deal is hard to beat, and its a struggle to finish two courses.
My favourite place for baguette and hugely calorific chocolate almond croissants.
14 locals recommend
Boulangerie–Pâtisserie Papineau
57 Rue de VerdunMy favourite place for baguette and hugely calorific chocolate almond croissants.
Except for market days at Place Carnot (on Saturdays), this is a good local place to get some nice fresh produce.
Les Halles
Place d'EggenfeldenExcept for market days at Place Carnot (on Saturdays), this is a good local place to get some nice fresh produce.
LA BARBACANE
Place Auguste Pierre PontExcellent high end restaurant for those who love fine dining.
The Bernard Rigardis Restaurant is probably the finest place to eat in Carcassonne. A little heavy on the wallet but still great value and great service.
14 locals recommend
Le Domaine d'Auriac
2535 Rte de Saint-HilaireThe Bernard Rigardis Restaurant is probably the finest place to eat in Carcassonne. A little heavy on the wallet but still great value and great service.
A fun, family friendly, pop up place for music, drink and street food. Open until late in the Summer only.
Régalade à la Cité
17 Rue du PloA fun, family friendly, pop up place for music, drink and street food. Open until late in the Summer only.
Very cool seaside restaurant and bar. It revs up in to a club at night. Leucate Plage is less than an hour away. You need a nominated driver!
27 locals recommend
Biquet Plage
Chemin de MouretVery cool seaside restaurant and bar. It revs up in to a club at night. Leucate Plage is less than an hour away. You need a nominated driver!
Not quaint but this is the best place to go for oysters, and the lovely Leucate plage nearby stretches forever. The beach has some great hangouts too, including Biquet Plage.
33 locals recommend
Port Leucate
Not quaint but this is the best place to go for oysters, and the lovely Leucate plage nearby stretches forever. The beach has some great hangouts too, including Biquet Plage.
Pubs and bars
A great place to enjoy wine tasting without leaving Carcassonne. They offer excellent mid priced wines from local cooperatives. On Thursday evenings it turns in to a bar with a DJ, and there is seafood on offer from a food van.
6 locals recommend
Le Comptoir de la Cite
32 Av. du Général LeclercA great place to enjoy wine tasting without leaving Carcassonne. They offer excellent mid priced wines from local cooperatives. On Thursday evenings it turns in to a bar with a DJ, and there is seafood on offer from a food van.
A local Irish pub. Everywhere has one. But this is friendly, unpretentious and well run, with a good choice of beers.
28 locals recommend
The Celt
5 Rue Antoine ArmagnacA local Irish pub. Everywhere has one. But this is friendly, unpretentious and well run, with a good choice of beers.
Le Couvent
9 Rue des SaumesA hip new bar selling cocktails until late. Well worth a visit.
A favourite of young hipsters in a lovely setting under a large tree canopy. DJs. Decent music. Fun and friendly vibe. Doesn't get going until late.
39 locals recommend
Le Bar à Vins de la Cité
6 Rue du PloA favourite of young hipsters in a lovely setting under a large tree canopy. DJs. Decent music. Fun and friendly vibe. Doesn't get going until late.
Le Verre D'Un.. is a lovely, relaxed place to go to unwind with a glass of wine of two. It has a wine shop attached.
30 locals recommend
The glass of ...
2 Rue de VerdunLe Verre D'Un.. is a lovely, relaxed place to go to unwind with a glass of wine of two. It has a wine shop attached.
Bike hire
ALTER-ride
16 Rue CourtejaireBike Hire right around the corner offering city bikes and hybrids.
Evadeo Cycles
14 Rue Jean MonnetMore advanced road bikes, including aluminium and carbon bikes for hire.