Things to See in the Languedoc:   Historic Cities:   Carcassonne  (  Carcassona):   Places to Visit

An architect and medievalist Viollet le Duc began reconstruction in 1844, starting with Saint Michael's cathedral and the City's ramparts.  This work continued until the 1960s.  As Viollet le Duc said himself:

The Ville Basse still contains most of Carcassonne's business activity.  The City is now a major tourist attraction, and therefore best avoided in the summer, when it fills up with package tourists who imagine themselves to be in an early version of Disneyland.

Ramparts. The Cité outer ramparts, complete with turrets, towers, and crenellations, were built during the reign of Louis IX.  His son, Philip III, continued the work.  He also added a main gate, called the Porte Narbonnaise, to the inner walls.  The Porte is the only entry into the Cité by road.  It is guarded by two flanking towers and a double barbican.

Château Comtal. 12th century castle belong to the Counts.  It is located within the Cité's ramparts.   Its fortifications are among Europe's finest medieval remains.  You can take a guided tour, but don't expect too much by way of historical expertise.

Church of Saint Nazaire. An 11th to 14th century Romanesque and Gothic Church, also located within the ramparts of the Cité, once a cathedral and still feeling like one, built by the Viscounts of Carcassonne.

Cathedral of Saint Michael (Cathédrale St-Michel). Ville Basse. Dating from 1247.  The Romanesque transept and choir were replaced by Gothic structures, though the Romanesque nave remains.  Stained glass windows date from the 14th to the 16th centuries

Church of Saint Vincent. (Eglise St-Vincent). Ville Basse.  Thirteenth century.

Bastide Saint-Louis . (Eglise St-Vincent). The original Ville Basse and the centre of the modern one.  Fourteenth century.

Local Activities:
Carcassonne Golf Club (Golf de Carcassonne)