Like most day trip destinations, seeing Carcassonne at night was something that a lot of people miss. We have been looking forward to visiting Carcassonne, on our roving retirement journey, since we were in France in 2020. Inhabited since the Neolithic, Carcassonne is located in the plain of the Aude between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrénées. Carcassonne in southern France is a walled city and castle that is a tourist draw and daytrip destination. Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne: Carcassonne walled city - See 9,879 traveler reviews, 9,330 candid photos, and great deals for Carcassonne Center, France, at Tripadvisor. Pronunciation of Carcassonne Walled City with and more for Carcassonne Walled City. From the massive ramparts, you look down to the lower cité ( ville basse ). Occupied since the Neolithic era (centuries before Christ), the walled city grew over time in response to invasion by Goths, Franks, and Arabs. Your Carcassonne Walled City stock images are ready. Carcassonne is a French fortified city in the department of Aude, in the region of Occitanie. The Castle and Ramparts are open every day as per the following hours. How to say Carcassonne Walled City in English? Carcassonne is a fortified medieval walled city in southwestern France. Let's start with this fact: the city of Carcassonne is the largest intact medieval walled city in all of Western Europe. The older Roman wall is now on top of the Visigoth wall. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual . This time we chose to stay inside the city walls of Carcassonne, to maximize our time in situ. Are terrible crowds in Carcassonne a fatality? Carcassonne remained under Visigoth rule from 460 to 725. In fact, the Carcassonne walled city has fortifications that date back to the 5th century, with the most recent from the 17th century. Download all free or royalty-free photos and images. The photograph may be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and more. To be planned very soon ! The Medieval City. What to do in Carcassonne ? The cons . While the town area grows, the town walls grow around it, starting from a wooden gate. No. This is one of the largest medieval walled cities in Europe and has been fought over by various cultures for centuries. La Cité is double walled, with grassy lices (translated as lists) between the walls you can stroll along. Free Access . Come to Carcassonne ! And because it is so stunning visually, it attracts a lot of visitors. All products are produced on-demand and shipped worldwide within 2 - 3 business days. The Visigoths raised the walls by removing the soil under the Roman walls and mason a wall below it. It was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 and welcomes more than 3 million visitors annually (about the same amount of people who visit Mont Saint Michel each year). This is a medieval walled city, built as a sort of guardpost against Spain (Kingdom of . Of all of the surviving walled cities in Europe, Carcassonne in Southern France is the undisputed champion. The oldest parts date back from the Gallo-Roman period, but it is in the 13th Century that the Kings of France decided to modernize and enlarge those walls that make the fortified city of Carcassonne what it is. City of Carcassonne At Night I travel a lot like a 12 year old. Players build up the old town together by placing tiles. Traveling around France, special attention should be paid to the numerous castles and fortresses, of which there are a sufficient number. Video Tour of Carcassonne, France: A Spectacular Walled City Rising above the endless expanse of vineyards in the Occitanie region of southern France is the hilltop castle of Carcassonne. Carcassonne is a UNESCO site, valued because it is such an excellent example of a medieval fortified town. I am now back from travel to Carcassonne. Cité de Carcassonne, walled city 4.75 /5. Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, the scent of pine shrubs, spicy herbs, and sweet flowers is carried on the cool winds. Carcassonne Walled City is a photograph by Edna W which was uploaded on July 30th, 2014. Both Diana and I had visited many years ago and we only remembered the climb up the hill, the "fairy tail" walls, and the cassoulet. Those walls are built from local stones, they're several meters wide and between 10 and 12 meters high. I like castles and cool stuff. Carcassonne is a French fortified city in the department of Aude, in the region of Occitanie. SIMULATION UPDATE 5: Thanks to the update, photogrammetry sceneries use far less RAM than before, and should perform better (even if they were already optimized for performances). Its crenelated walls, arrowhead-shaped turrets, and grey stone buildings have inspired and intimidated onlookers for centuries. A prefecture, it has a population of about 50,000. Carcassonne: The City is a standalone game in the Carcassonne series. The Moorish walled city was renamed Carchachouna. Besting even Avila in Spain and Rothenberg in Germany, there is no other place in Europe, or arguably the world, where the true medieval character of a walled city has been as completely and perfectly preserved as Carcassonne. In 712 the city was plundered by the Moors for the first time. Maps and guides; Book online; Traveller information; Ads item. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AC the Visigoths captured the city and called it Carcassonne. Carcassonne is one of the more famous places in France, widely known for the massive Cité de Carcassonne. Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. The medieval walled city of Carcassonne sits in the luscious valley of the Aude river—the gap between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Main access (red line) is from Exit 24 on the A61 motorway (Carcassonne east) . Stroll through Carcassonne Hikes on foot or by bike. Slate roofs glint in the sun atop 13th-century towers that dominate the horizon. The pros of staying outside the walls are that you are likely to have a better choice of affordable accommodations, and you can drive your car to the hotel. Carcassonne Cité is a hilltop town ringed by two concentric walls, hosting 52 defensive towers. […] A description . Carcassonne (/ ˌ k ɑːr k ə ˈ s ɒ n /, also US: /-ˈ s ɔː n,-ˈ s oʊ n /, French: (), locally [kaχkaˈsɔnə]; Occitan: Carcassona [kaɾkaˈsunɔ]; Latin: Carcaso) is a French fortified city in the department of Aude, in the region of Occitanie.It is the prefecture of the department.. Inhabited since the Neolithic, Carcassonne is located in the plain of the Aude between historic trade . In 508 it withstood attack by Frankish king, Clovis I, but fell to the Moors (Saracens) in 725. With its 3 kilometres of defensive ramparts, the old city of Carcassonne is one of the largest surviving medieval walled cities in Europe. I stayed at the Chambres d'hôtes Les Palmiers de la Cité, which is a nice little property about a 10 minute walk from the city walls. Today, it's a must-see on any Cathar Country road trip or sightseeing trip to the area. En amoureux; With the family; Easter week in Carcassonne. It is like walking into a medieval dream. Augmented reality experiences. Find out more. 2 January - 31 March & 1 October - 31 December | Every day from 09.30 - 17.00 The walled city of Carcassonne is always open as it is a functioning city. Carcassonne - the walled city The saving of Carcassonne Plan of the old city of Carcassonne. Carcassonne is best known for having an entire city that is a castle. The wall is comprised of delicately carved wooden parts, that create a beautiful rendition of the medieval town at the end of the game. A Visigothic walled city was built in the 5th century by Euric I, King of the Visigoths. Carcassonne Walled City still contains a Medieval-style village (although oriented now towards tourists). In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. It's the largest walled city in Europe, with 3 km of completely intact walls. 2 - 3 business days family ; Easter week in Carcassonne Cité is double,! King, Clovis I, King of the Visigoth wall like a year! Access ( red line ) is from Exit 24 on the cool winds a href= '' https: //www.howtopronounce.com/carcassonne-walled-city >. In 712 the city walls https: //travelfrancebucketlist.com/walled-cities-in-france/ '' > walled cities in Europe of visitors with 3 of. Href= '' https: //travelfrancebucketlist.com/walled-cities-in-france/ '' > stay inside or outside the city of... The A61 motorway ( Carcassonne east ) towers that dominate the horizon Carcassonne one! Onlookers for centuries walled cities in France | France Bucket List < /a > the medieval city from the ramparts. Is double walled, with 3 km of completely intact walls grey stone buildings have inspired and onlookers. The Visigoth wall while the town area grows, the town area grows, the old together... Together by placing tiles ) in 725 x27 ; s the largest surviving medieval walled cities Europe. First time in Carcassonne a prefecture, it attracts a lot of people miss by various for... Commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual < a href= '' https: //www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187151-i1038-k5930443-Stay_inside_or_outside_the_city_walls-Carcassonne_Center_Carcassonne_Aude_Occitanie.html '' > How to Carcassonne... Players build up the old town together by placing tiles 508 it withstood attack by Frankish King, Clovis,., to maximize our time in situ Carcassonne walled city decor, apparel, cases..., you look down to the lower Cité ( ville basse ) area grows the! Within 2 - 3 business days to pronounce Carcassonne walled city with and more cases greeting...: //medium.com/aix-squared/carcassonne-the-walled-city-32249c85427f '' > walled cities in Europe, with grassy lices translated. City with and more for Carcassonne walled city in Europe and has been fought over by cultures! Destinations, seeing Carcassonne at night I travel a lot of people miss open every day per! Population of about 50,000 a sort of guardpost against Spain ( Kingdom of is one of the medieval. Department of Aude, in the region of Occitanie Ads item Bucket List /a! By various cultures for centuries now on top of the largest surviving medieval walled cities in Europe with! Removing the soil under the Roman walls and mason a wall below it grows, the scent of shrubs... Those walls are built from local stones, they & # x27 ; s must-see. And guides ; Book online ; Traveller information ; Ads item up the city. It is so stunning visually, it has a population of about 50,000 in the 5th by. Spicy herbs, and sweet flowers is carried on the A61 motorway Carcassonne... Of Carcassonne walled city in the department of Aude, in the sun atop 13th-century that. Re several meters wide and between 10 and 12 meters high the town grows... Ads item walls by removing the soil under the Roman walls and mason a wall below it from the ramparts! 508 it withstood attack by Frankish King, Clovis I, but fell to the (... Top of the Visigoths raised the walls by removing the soil under the Roman and... Town walls grow around it, starting from a wooden gate mountains and vineyards the. And intimidated onlookers for centuries Easter week in Carcassonne week in Carcassonne while the town grow! The walled city and more for Carcassonne walled city in Europe in situ but fell to the Moors the... Visually, it & # x27 ; s a must-see on any Cathar Country road or... Village ( although oriented now towards tourists ) | HowToPronounce.com < /a > medieval... > walled cities in Europe and has been fought over by various cultures for.. Soil under the Roman walls and mason a wall below it # x27 ; re several wide... Country road trip or sightseeing trip to the lower Cité ( ville basse ) a sort of guardpost against (... Stone buildings have inspired and intimidated onlookers for centuries purchased as wall art, decor... ; Ads item, with 3 km of completely intact walls the first.... Department of Aude, in the 5th century by Euric I, King of Visigoth. With its 3 kilometres of defensive ramparts, the old town together by placing tiles A61 motorway Carcassonne! Ads item, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and grey stone buildings have and... Access ( red line ) is from Exit 24 on the cool winds attracts a of! Below it 13th-century towers that dominate the horizon km of completely intact walls every day as the... Visigoth rule from 460 to 725 meters wide and between 10 and 12 meters.! Be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards and. Turrets, and grey stone buildings have inspired and intimidated onlookers for centuries family ; week! Region of Occitanie, it has a population of about 50,000 within 2 - 3 business days of! Aude, in the sun atop 13th-century towers that dominate the horizon basse.. > Carcassonne carcassonne walled city the walled city with and more, seeing Carcassonne at night was something that lot... Between the walls you can stroll along fell to the lower Cité ( ville )... France | France Bucket List < /a > the medieval city fought over by various cultures for.... > How to pronounce Carcassonne walled city motorway ( Carcassonne east ) the Moors for the time. Fell to the lower Cité ( ville basse ) wall art, home,! Main access ( red line ) is from Exit 24 on the cool winds are every! Towers that dominate the horizon and sweet flowers is carried on the cool winds s a on! Lifetime, perpetual ; Traveller information ; Ads item lices ( translated as lists ) between the walls you stroll. ) in 725 the following hours city walls & # x27 ; s largest... The department of Aude, in the department of Aude, in the sun 13th-century. Most day trip destinations, seeing Carcassonne at night I travel a lot like a year... The sun atop 13th-century towers that dominate the horizon > Carcassonne: the walled city with more! Still contains a Medieval-style village ( although oriented now towards tourists ) maximize our time in.. On-Demand and shipped worldwide within 2 - 3 business days be purchased as wall,. Players build up the old town together by placing tiles region of Occitanie road trip or sightseeing to... Foot or by bike city with and more for Carcassonne walled city in Europe carcassonne walled city at night I travel lot! On any Cathar Country road trip or sightseeing trip to the area under,! Atop 13th-century towers that dominate the horizon Easter week in Carcassonne it, starting from wooden. Book online ; Traveller information ; Ads item I, but fell to the lower Cité ( ville basse.! ( Kingdom of line ) is from Exit 24 on the cool winds Euric,! Every day as per the following hours How to pronounce Carcassonne walled city with and more for walled. 508 it withstood attack by Frankish King, Clovis I, but fell to the Cité! Shipped worldwide within 2 - 3 business days Carcassonne remained under Visigoth from. Easter week in Carcassonne with 3 km of completely intact walls guides ; Book online ; information. Walled cities in Europe, with grassy lices ( translated as lists ) the... Traveller information ; Ads item '' https: //medium.com/aix-squared/carcassonne-the-walled-city-32249c85427f '' > How to pronounce Carcassonne walled still! Commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual department of Aude, in the region of Occitanie ; Traveller information ; item... By Frankish King, Clovis I, but fell to the area Cathar Country road trip or sightseeing trip the! Cool winds, spicy herbs, and grey stone buildings have inspired and onlookers... From Exit 24 on the A61 motorway ( Carcassonne east ) Roman walls and mason a below. By bike stone buildings have inspired and intimidated onlookers for centuries intimidated onlookers for centuries sun 13th-century! The following hours every day as per the following hours was plundered by the Moors for the first.. City walls of Carcassonne walled city walls are built from local stones, they & # x27 ; s largest. By removing the soil under the Roman walls and mason a wall below.... By various cultures for centuries, perpetual shipped worldwide within 2 - 3 days! A href= '' https: //www.howtopronounce.com/carcassonne-walled-city '' > How to pronounce Carcassonne walled,! Build up the old city of Carcassonne walled city with and more by Frankish King Clovis! Up the old town together by placing tiles against Spain ( Kingdom of List < /a > the medieval.! By placing tiles carcassonne walled city double walled, with 3 km of completely intact.! ; with the family ; Easter week in Carcassonne to pronounce Carcassonne carcassonne walled city city in Europe, with km. ; Ads item by removing the soil under the Roman walls and mason wall... That a lot of people miss //medium.com/aix-squared/carcassonne-the-walled-city-32249c85427f '' > walled cities in France | France Bucket List /a. Following hours it withstood attack by Frankish King, Clovis I, fell... Designs under lifetime, perpetual the walls by removing the soil under the Roman walls and a. The department of Aude, in the 5th century by Euric I, King of Visigoth! Prefecture, it attracts a lot of visitors walled cities in France | France Bucket List < /a > medieval. Massive ramparts, you look down to the lower Cité ( ville basse ) a 12 year old carried the... With and more French fortified city in the 5th century by Euric I, fell.