Carcassonne Holidays

Fairy-tale castles, cobbled streets and wine by the bucketload – Carcassonne is medieval magic with a South-of-France glow-up.

Highlights

• 🏰 Europe’s ultimate walled city – turrets, towers and enough Game of Thrones vibes to make your Insta explode

• 🍷 Right in the heart of wine country – sip your way through Corbières and Minervois reds

• 🥖 French food heaven – cassoulet, croissants and cafés with a view

• ☀️ Soaked in sunshine – over 300 days of blue skies a year (sunglasses essential)

Getting around

Carcassonne is delightfully compact – especially the medieval Cité, which is totally walkable (if a little hilly – cobbled-street strut, anyone?). The Lower Town (La Bastide Saint-Louis) is flatter and just across the river, connected by the Pont Vieux bridge. You can wander the whole city on foot, but buses are available and easy to use. Carcassonne Airport is just 15 minutes from the centre, and trains link you to Toulouse, Narbonne and the wider Occitanie region. Want to explore the vineyards or Cathar castles? Renting a car is your golden ticket to countryside freedom.

Things to do for families in Carcassonne

Carcassonne is basically a giant, real-life fairy-tale for families. Kids will love exploring the Cité de Carcassonne, with its double walls, towers to climb, and the kind of medieval magic usually reserved for theme parks (but this one's the real deal). Catch a knight’s tournament or medieval show in summer, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the ramparts. Down in the Lower Town, there are playgrounds, shady squares, and riverside spots for picnics and paddling. For a splashy break from sightseeing, Lac de la Cavayère has swimming, a sandy beach, pedalos, and even an inflatable water park. History + ice cream = a winning combo.

Things to do for couples in Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a total romance bomb – think sunsets over castle walls, candlelit dinners, and wine-fuelled strolls under the stars. Start with a wander through the Cité’s narrow lanes, then climb up to the ramparts for jaw-dropping views over vineyards and rolling hills. Book a wine tasting at a nearby château, or sip local rosé at a terrace café while musicians strum in the square. Fancy a swish evening? Book a table at La Barbacane, a Michelin-starred gem inside the castle itself (yes, really). And for peak couple vibes, take a twilight boat ride along the Canal du Midi, just the two of you and the sound of water and wine corks.

Things to do for groups in Carcassonne

Group trip to Carcassonne? Prepare for laughs, medieval drama and plenty of clinking glasses. Take a guided tour of the Cité to soak up the history and legends (yes, there are ghosts), then hit a local bar for apéro hour – rosé, pastis, or a cold beer in the sunshine. Head out on a vineyard tour, complete with tastings and cheese pairings – very grown-up, very fun. Prefer action? Go kayaking on the Aude River, cycle along the Canal du Midi, or book an escape game set in the castle. As night falls, grab a table in Place Carnot, order a round of cassoulet and wine, and enjoy the kind of evening that stretches out under the stars. Santé!

Things to do for foodies in Carcassonne

If you came for the castle but stayed for the food – we get it. Carcassonne is a total treat for your tastebuds. Start with the legendary cassoulet, a rich, slow-cooked dish of duck, pork and white beans that’s basically a French hug in a bowl. Pair it with a deep red from nearby Minervois or Corbières, and you're in business. Wander the local markets (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Place Carnot) for fresh olives, cured meats and gooey cheeses you’ll want to smuggle home. Don’t skip the patisseries either – flaky croissants, tarte Tatin and fruit-studded clafoutis galore. And if you're into the finer things, book a tasting menu at one of the gastronomic restaurants within the old city. You’ll leave full, happy, and probably in need of a lie down.