Carcassonne Touristic - guide

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Carcassonne Touristic - guide
2018 - 2019

Carcassonne
       World Heritage

     Touristic
                guide
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Municipal Tourist Office                                                    Summary
Classified Category I
28, rue de Verdun
                                                                            3     Useful information
CS 60032 11890 Carcassonne Cedex - France
Tél (+33) 04 68 10 24 30                                                    4     Arriving at Carcassonne
accueil@carcassonne-tourisme.com
www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr                                                 5     Parking

                                                                            6     Getting around

                                                                            8     History of the city
Opening hours                                                               9     Bastide Saint Louis

Bastide Saint-Louis (28 Rue de Verdun)                                      15 Canal du Midi
• July and August :
                                                                            17 The Medieval City
from 9h to 19h daily
• April, May, June, September, October :                                    24 Cavayère Lake
from 9h to 18h from Monday to Saturday, Sunday and
Public Holidays from 10h to 13h
                                                                            26 For children
• From November to March :                                                  30 For when it rains
from 9h30 to 12h30 and from 13h30 to 17h30 from Mon-
day to Saturday.                                                            32 Where to swim

                                                                            33 The markets
Medieval City (Impasse Agnès de Montpellier)
• July and August :                                                         34 Wine shops and local produce
from 9h to 19h daily
                                                                            35 Wine estates
• April, May, June, September, October :
from 9h to 18h daily                                                        37 Highlights
• From November to March :
                                                                            40 Discover the surrounding area: Day trips
Daily from 9h30 to 13h and from 13h30 to 17h30

Touristic Guide - Carcassonne - EDITION 2018 2019                    Print : Maraval
Photo credits : Paul Palau - Julien Roche, Mairie de Carcassonne -   Graphic Design : Barthe Communication
LC Vision                                                            Writing : Carcassonne Tourist Office
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Useful information
                                                                                               Useful numbers
• Police emergency������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
• Ambulance Service����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15
• Fire Service�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18
• General Hospital���������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 24 24 24
• Montréal Clinic�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 11 53 53
• All night pharmacy������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 11 26 00
• Lost property�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 77 70 18
• Police Station������������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 11 26 00
• Gendarmerie�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 77 22 22
• Weather�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)8 92 68 02 11

                                                                                                      Useful links
Institutionals
• Carcassonne Agglo��������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 10 56 00 - www.carcassonne-agglo.fr
• Ville de Carcassonne - City Hall��������������������������������� +33 (0)4 68 77 71 11 - www.carcassonne.org
• Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Carcassonne���+33 (0)4 68 10 36 00 - www.carcassonne.cci.fr
• Préfecture����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������+33 (0)4 68 10 27 00
Tourism
• Agence de développement touristique de l’Aude��������� +33 (0)4 68 11 66 00 - www.audetourisme.com
• Comité Régional du Tourisme Languedoc Roussillon+33 (0)4 67 22 98 09 - www.destinationsuddefrance.com
• Atout France������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� www.atout-france.fr
• Carcassonne Sud de France airport�������������������+33 (0)4 68 71 96 46 - www.aeroport-carcassonne.com
• Carcassonne marina���������������������������������������� +33 (0)4 68 25 10 48 - www.port-carcassonne.com
Other
• Gites de France���������������������������������������� +33 (0)4 68 11 40 70 - www.gites-de-france-aude.com
• Accueil des Villes Françaises Carcassonne��������������+33 (0)4 68 72 68 24 - avf.carcassonne@wanadoo.fr

                                                                  Left luggage and Bicycle lock-ups

        The «Accueil Vélo» label provides the guarantee of a special welcome and services specifically
        adapted to tourists travelling by bike.

Hôtel de la Bastide                                                  Hôtel Central
All year round, from 8am to 8.30pm, except                           • Luggage : €1 per hour
Sundays when the hotel closes between 1pm and                        27 bd Jean Jaurès - Tel: +33 (0)4.68.25.03.84
4pm
• Luggage : €3 half day / • €6 full day                              Hôtel Astoria
81 Rue de la Liberté - Tel: +33 (0)4.68.71.96.89                     • 2€ per suitcase /3 € bikes, for the day.
                                                                     From 7am to 7pm
Au Royal-Hôtel                                                       18 Rue Tourtel - Tel: +33 (0)4 68 25 31 38
From June to September and from 9am to 9 pm
• Luggage: €1 per hour and per person (re-                           Youth Hostel
gardless of the number of luggage items)                             • Luggage : free for members,
• Bicycles: €1 per hour per bicycle. After 7pm, a                    • €2 for non members
fine of €10 per hour will be applicable!                             Rue Trencavel – La Cité - Tel: + 33 (0)4 68 25 23 16
22 Bd Jean Jaurès - Tel: +33 (0)4.68.25.19.12

                                        C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   3
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Getting to Carcassonne
BY ROAD                                                       BY AIR
• Autoroute A61: Exit Carcassonne Ouest (n°23) – Exit         • Airport Carcassonne Sud de France
Carcassonne Est (n°24)                                        Information (+33) 04 68 71 96 46
• RD6113 ( Toulouse – Narbonne)                               www.aeroport-carcassonne.com
• D118 ( Limoux – Mazamet)
• D119 ( Pamiers)                                             For fights operated by Ryanair: www.ryanair.com
• Toulouse: 90 km                                             Flights from
• Montpellier: 150 km                                         • England: London Stansted – East-Midlands ( Nottingham)
                                                                  – Manchester
• Bordeaux: 340 km
• Marseille: 320 km                                           •   Scotland: Glasgow - Edimbourg
• Lyon: 450 km                                                •   Ireland: Dublin - Cork
• Paris: 730 km                                               •   Portugal: Porto
• Barcelona: 300 km                                           •   Belgium: Bruxelles Charleroi

                                                              A shuttle service between the airport and the city center
BY TRAIN                                                      is available. It costs 6€ and comes with one hour’s use of
• SNCF - Enquiries – 3635                                     the entire city urban transport network.
From abroad : +33 (0)892 35 35 35                             Information +33 (0)4 68 47 82 22
www.voyages-sncf.com                                          www.carcassonne-agglo.fr

BY BOAT                                                       • Toulouse airport :
• Port du Canal du Midi                                       www.toulouse.aeroport.fr
Harbourmaster’s office: (+33) 04 68 25 10 48
www.port-carcassonne.com

                                                                                   OCCITANIE

                                                                                        Albi
                                                                              (1h30/170km)
                                                                  Toulouse                     Montpellier
                   Paris                                          (1h/90km)                    ( 1h30/150km)

               FRANCE                                                  Carcassonne
                                                                                                     Mer
                                                                                                Méditérrannée
             Carcassonne

                                                                    Barcelone (3h/300 km)

                                    C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018    4
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Parking

FREE PARKING                                                      CAR PARK FOR BUSES AND MOTORHOMES
• Quai Bellevue                                                   • Parking P1 Chemin de Montlegun
• In the Bastide Saint Louis :                                    Tel. +33 (0)4 68 77 73 11
- 80 places in front the Collège le Bastion ( Bd de Varsovie)     Open every day of the year
- 120 places at the corner Bd Barbès/Bd Marcou                    Charges apply from 8am to 8pm – Free from 8pm to 8am
                                                                  - Lost ticket: 100€
PAID PARKING                                                      Bus charges:
• In the Bastide Saint Louis                                      • Up to 30 mins: 8€
Underground car park : open from 7.30am to 8pm                    • From 30 mins to 24 hours = 20€ (flat rate)
Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and public holidays.           Motorhome charges:
• Gambetta: 403 places. Tel : +33 (0)4 68 71 34 11                • Flat rate 24 hours = 20€
• André Chénier: 340 places. Tel: +33 (0)4 68 72 30 10            Parking is allowed at night but this car park is not an
• Jacobins: 211 places.Tel: +33 (0)4 68 47 64 83                  accommodation area.
Charges:
• Up to 1hr15 of parking : 1 €                                    MOTORHOME AREA
• 1hr15 to 2hr30 : 2 €                                            * Camping de la Cité Chemin Bernard Délicieux
• 2hr30 to 3hr45 : 3 €                                            Open every day of the year
• 3hr45 to 5hr : 4 €                                              Location is without electricity – Drain and refill included
• 5hr to 6hr15 : 5 €                                              in the price.
• 6hr15 to 24hr : 6 €                                             • Parking limited to 72 hours
Part of an hour is chargeable at full rate                        • Up to 5 hours: 5€
                                                                  • From 5 hours to 12 hours: 9€
• By the Medieval City
                                                                  • From 12 hours to 24 hours: 15€
* Car Park P0 Narbonnaise gate Car Park P1 chemin de
                                                                  • From 24 hours to 48 hours: 30€
Montlegun - Car Park P2 Camin del Orts
                                                                  • From 48 hours to 72 hours: 45€
 Tel: +33 (0)4 68 77 73 11
Open every day of the year
Charges apply from 8am to 8pm – Free from 8pm to 8am
The first half-hour is free
Up to 2 hours: 15 mins = 1€
Up to 12 hours: 45 mins = 0.50 €
Lost ticket: 30€
Free shuttle from 1st July to 30th September (car park P1only)

                                        C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   5
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Getting around

                                TOUCS                             • Eco Navette aéroport
                                Getting around without            Toulouse-Blagnac airport shuttle. Professional, private or
                                                                  family transport on reservation, 7 days a week. From 1 to
                                harming the environ-
                                                                  8 people
                                ment!                             Tel: +33 (0)5 67 33 93 23 Scl-tarn@eco-navette.fr
                                For short journeys in Car-
                                cassonne city centre, Toucs
                                run from May to September         CAR HIRE
                                and December : a silent,          • Airport :
                                non-polluting and original        Alamo Rent a Car ����������������� +33 (0)4 68 71 69 97
                                                                  www.alamo.fr
                                mode of transport. Free of
                                                                  Avis����������������������������������� +33 (0)4 98 25 05 84
                                charge.                           www.avis.fr
                                                                  Europcar������������������������������� 33(0)4 68 72 23 69
                                                                  www.europcar.fr
BUS and TRAIN SHUTTLE :                                           Firefly (low cost de hertz)�������� +33 (0)4 68 71 00 55
Bastide Saint Louis / Medieval City:                              www.hertz.fr
• By bus : Line 4 from Monday to Saturday €1                      Hertz Thrifty������������������������ +33 (0)4 68 71 00 55
                                                                  www.hertz.fr
• By train shuttle: 2€ single journey – 3€ day return
                                                                  National Citer���������������������� +33 (0)4 68 71 69 97
 http://rtca.carcassonne-agglo.fr/                                www.citer.fr

• Airport:                                                        • City Centre or beyond the city centre :
A shuttle service to the city centre is at your disposal,         L.O.V (Location Occitane de Véhicules). +33 (0)4 68 11 74 10
departing 25 minutes after the arrival of each flight and         www.lovlocation.com
tickets for this service (priced at €6) allow passengers to       AMDS Renault Rent����������� Tel: +33 (0)4 68 77 77 68
use the entire urban transport network for 1 hour.                Renault Relais, Route de Narbonne.
                                                                  ADA Location������������������ Tel: +33 (0)4 68 11 71 92
                                                                  Rue J.F Duplex.
TAXI                                                              www.ada.fr
Taxis de Carcassonne provides transport over any distance 24/7    UCAR���������������������������� Tel: +33 (0)4 68 72 71 64
• Fleet of 14 air-conditioned vehicles capable of carrying 4      ZA Salvaza - 260, Rue Gustave Eiffel.
to 6 passengers and their luggage. Available for transfers to     www.ucar.fr
or from the airport, station to city centre, hotels, holiday
accommodation and bed & breakfasts in Carcassonne and             CYCLE HIRE
the surrounding area. Personalised journeys undertaken…           A guide to bike rides is available at the tourist office
• Taxis Carcassonne : Tel +33 (0)4 68 71 50 50                    • EVADEO Cycles / Génération VTT
www.taxi-carcassonne.fr                                           All year round on reservation, we can bring the the bikes
• Jim le Taxi                                                     to the port or you can pick them up at our shop Fun Sport
24h/24 et 7j/7 - All transports services.                         14 Rue Jean Monnet.
Tel : +33 (0)6 60 39 50 67                                        Tel: +33 (0)4 34 42 88 32
jimrigaut@gmail.com                                               ou +33 (0)6 19 61 33 26
• SARL Taxis Paredes                                              contact@EvadeoCycles.com
Provision of comfortable and air-conditioned vehicles             Tel: +33 (0)6 09 59 30 85
Passenger vehicles with driver (rates on request).                www.generation-vtt.com
Can arrange touristic routes, sea and mountain, discover
the vineyards…
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 78 51 51 / +33 (0)6 50 39 39 17
                                                                  DEPARTEMENTAL BUSES
                                                                  http://rtca.carcassonne-agglo.fr/infos/6
www.taxi-paredes.fr/
                                                                  Coachfirms
• Taxis Occitans 11                                               • Cars Teissier
All transport services. Assistance + touristic circuits.          Le Pont Rouge - route Minervoise
Tel : +33 (0)4 68 74 47 72 / + 33 (0)6 77 25 45 05                Tél : +33 (0)4.68.25.85.45
taxisoccitans11@gmail.com                                         www.teissier.fr
• Taxis Ulysse                                                    • Kéolis Aude
Specialised in the transport of people with reduced mo-           2 bd Paul Sabatier
bility.                                                           Tél : +33 (0)4.68.25.13.74
Tél : +33 (0)6 74 49 86 89 ulysse66@ulysse-transport.fr           www.keolisaude.com
• Transport Cardon – Taxi Cardon
Cardon is an accredited transport service for children,
adults, social security card holders, leisure tours, hotels,
airports, Andorra, Perthus...
Tel: +33 (0)6.78.24.46.60 - http://taxi-cardon.fr

                                        C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   6
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Getting around

PRIVATE TRANSPORT
                                                                 • VTC CITE
TOURISTIC TRANSPORT
                                                                 Transport for any distance, leisure and professional.
                                                                 Hybrid vehicle.
• Convivial Services
                                                                 Tél: +33 (0)6 84 66 06 73
Touristic routes for a full day of half day, with different
                                                                 vtc.cite@orange.fr
themes.
Transport to the airports, touristic sites, etc.
                                                                 • Mediteralys
Tel: 04.68.27.43.34 or: +33 (0)6.85.62.10.6
                                                                 Leslie Hodin a specialist tour guide
 www.convivial-services.fr
                                                                 Tourist excursions in 9-seater air-conditioned minibus with
                                                                 driver / tour guide to discover the history and heritage of
• Chauffeur Confort
                                                                 the lands of the “Oc” & Cathar Country. Half day, full day
Chauffeur-driven vehicles.
                                                                 and 2-day package. Transfer service available.
Tel: +33 (0)6 62 16 52 03 / + 33 (0)9 73 55 39 16
                                                                 Tél : +33(0)6 66 38 51 92
davidmenke@sfr.fr
                                                                 www.mediteralys.com
• Executive Roadlines
Chauffeur-driven transport to ensure transfer to or from
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport... All year-round, 7 days a week,
24 hours a day.
Tel : +33 (0)6 95 71 08 84 /+33 (0)9 50 86 63 74
www.executive-roadlines.com
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Hall B, arrivals level

            • Bod. Aude 11
            Passenger transport services for the touristic
            sites and circuits from €25 (based on 8 passen-
            gers)
Accompanied tours, guide service, entrance tickets for
the sites are subject to a supplement.
Tél : +33 (0)6.03.18.39.95 - www.catharexcursions.com

         • V & M Carcassonne Winetours
         A la carte excursions, Wine Routes, vehicle hire
         with driver (minibus), transfers.
         Tél : +33 (0)6.12.27.47.01
www.carcassonnetourism.com

           • Sun Tour
           Excursions for full day or half day depending on
           the dates, vehicle hire with driver (minibus).
           Tel: +33 (0)6.84.76.39.01- www.sun-tour.fr

• Vineyard tours in the Languedoc
 Tel: +33 (0)6 42 33 34 09 - Wendy@vinenvacances.com

• The Essential Tours
Excursions to the castles of Peyrepertuse and Quéribus,
with the option of wine tasting. Minibus transfers and
transport tailored to customers’ requirements.
Tel: +33(0)6 12 27 47 01
www.carcassonnetourism.com

• Tresor Languedoc Tours
Full-day or half-day excursions, depending on the day, hire
of chauffeur-driven minibus, transfers, themed stays and
experiences tailored to customers’ requirements.
Tel: +33 (0)6 51 84 02 79
contact@tresor-languedoc.com

                                      C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   7
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
Carcassonne History
It was in Carsac, to the south of the city, where the history     In 1355, the Bastide was torched by the Prince of Wales,
of Carcassonne truly began, 1000 years before the birth           known as the Black Prince. Rebuilt, but with a smaller
of Christ. In the VI B.C, this settlement was abandoned           surface area, it was encircled by ramparts. In 1590, du-
in favour of a hill camp located on the site of the current       ring the Wars of Religion, the City, unlike the Bastide,
City. In the I B.C it was integrated into the Roman Empire        refused to recognise Henri IV as King of France because
as part of the Narbonensis Province, and would later beco-        he was a Huguenot. A violent conflict divided the City
me Castellum during the IV Century. The City suffered long        for several months. After the Treaty of the Pyrenees
periods of occupation at the hands of the Visigoths and the       (1659), the City lost its position as a border crossing and
Saracens. Integrated into the kingdom of the Francs in the        also its pre-eminence. The production of woollen cloth,
VIII Century, it subsequently became the seat of a power-         in evidence since the XIV Century, became the main in-
ful Count. In the XIII Century, in response to the Cathar         dustry. Around 1780, a decline in the market led to the
heresies, Pope Innocent III declared a Crusade against the        disappearance of this industry in the area. It was only
Albigensians. Count Simon de Montfort was at the head             under the 3rd Republic that it was to rediscover its eco-
of this crusader army that came to fight heresy. He laid          nomic vibrancy thanks to viticulture and the trades asso-
siege to the City, which fell to him in 1209, and he impri-       ciated to this industry. In the XIX Century, the City, then
soned Raymond Roger Trencavel, Viscount of Carcassonne.           used as a stone quarry, was saved by an erudite local
Handed over to the King of France in 1226, the City be-           named Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille and was restored
came a Seneschal’s seat. Saint Louis transformed it into a        by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The cultural life
Royal fortress, at the forefront of a defensive line to guard     of Carcassonne was to become increasingly rich over the
the Franco-Spanish border. In 1240, Raymond II Trencavel,         next century: of particular note are the composers Paul
attempted to retake it, without success. The settlements          Lacombe and Déodat de Severac, as well as the writers
that then surrounded the City, made up of the parishes of         Joë Bousquet and René Nelli. Carcassonne, whose City
Saint Vincent and Saint Michel, were destroyed. In 1247,          and Canal du Midi are listed as UNESCO World Heritage
following the surrender of the Trencavels, Saint Louis or-        Sites, nowadays enjoys an international reputation and
dered that the inhabitants of these settlements should be         welcomes several million visitors every year.
rehoused on the left bank of the river within a Bastide that
was to be designed according to a grid system.

                                                                                                                            photo © Archives Départementales de l’Aude 5Fi842

Today                                                              Yesterday

                                       C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018    8
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
The Bastide Saint-Louis : A remarkable patrimonial Site

Situated on the left bank of the Aude, the Bastide was           bastion in the north-east, the Montmorency in the sou-
built during the reign of Saint Louis in 1260 on a rectan-       th-east and the Tour Grosse or Moulins bastion in the sou-
gular plan laid out around the central square, now the           th-west (now known as the Calvary bastion).
Place Carnot. Nowadays the Bastide, delimited by the
boulevards laid out in the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries on        On the eve of the 1789 Revolution, the lower city still had
the site of the old moats, has retained its chequerboard         only four gates:
arrangement of streets and boasts a remarkable architec-         - the west gate, the Porte de Toulouse or the Porte des
tural heritage, both in its former private mansions and its      Augustins (rue de Verdun) adorned with two fine towers
religious edifices.                                              which made it a kind of small castle and which were
                                                                 restored in 1749, but following a decree signed by the
A little of history…                                             Council and dated 31st May 1778 transferring to the lower
Jewel of the present-day city, the Bastide is delimited          city community authorities in perpetuity the walls, moat,
by the boulevards laid out in the XVIIIth and XIXth centu-       towers, ramparts and rampart walk, the city consuls al-
ries on the line of the old moat surrounding the formerly        lowed the gate to fall into ruin and it was completely de-
walled city. The military fortifications and its gates de-       molished in 1806.
fended the lower city. The enclosing wall of the latter was      - the north gate or the Porte des Carmes (end of the pre-
built between 1355 and 1359 on the orders of the Count of        sent-day rue Georges Clemenceau).
Armagnac; its perimeter was 2,800 metres in length; the          - the east gate or the Porte des Cordeliers, at the eastern
bastions were constructed at a later period, after 1359; at      end of the present-day rue Aimé Ramond (formerly the
the time, military architects limited themselves to erec-        rue de la Mairie).
ting round towers on the corners of the walls, with dimen-       - the south gate or the Porte des Jacobins, now preserved
sions greater than those of the other sections of the wall.      and listed along with its surrounding area as a Historic
                                                                 Monument. The Porte des Cordeliers was in the early days
Towards the end of the XVIth century, during the Wars            of the city’s construction on the site of the gate of the
of Religion which decimated the south of France, four            former law courts at the eastern end of the rue Mage (now
bastions were erected on the corners of the walls: the           the rue de Verdun) and was moved in 1571 to the end of
Saint-Martial bastion in the north-west, the La Figuières        the rue de la Pellisserie (present-day rue Aimé Ramond).

                                                       THE FABULOUS DESTINY
                                                       OF THE BASTIDE SAINT-LOUIS
                                                       THEATRICAL VISITS           1H45
                                                       A fun way to discover the history and the principal monuments of
                                                       the city centre, accompanied by actors and a tour guide.

                                                       Duration : 1h45.
                                                       Departure at 10 : 30am from the chapel of Notre Dame de la Santé 12
                                                       10th, 17th, 23rd and 31st July.
                                                       7th, 10th, 14th, 17th and 21st August.
                                                       Prices :
                                                       Adults : 8€ , 7-18 year-olds 5€ , 0-6 year-olds free
                                                       Prices (+ 10 pers):
                                                       Adults : 5€ , 7-18 year-olds 3€ , 0-6 year-olds free
                                                       Information and booking at the tourist office or online at
                                                       www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr - Tel (+33) 04 68 10 24 30

                                      C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   9
Carcassonne Touristic - guide
To the Medieval City
  15 min walking
9,50€*

                                                                                                                         *Price from
                                                                       Guided tour included

                                                                        6,00€*
                                                                       Guided tour not included

                    THE BEST WAY to enjoy
the city and its surrounds at the keenest prices

2018 / 2019
Carca’Pass     entitles its holders to promotional deals and benefits at many tourist establishments in
Carcassonne and the surrounding area: visits to tourist attractions, leisure activities, tastings, restaurants,
shows, transport, local produce..

                                                                     SNAP IT UP !
                                                         Online at www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr
                                                        In person at the Carcassonne tourist office
                                                  Or from one of our partners (hotels, camp sites, b&bs...
                                                             only with guided tour included)

                      2018 / 2019

GUIDED TOUR OF THE LA BASTIDE SAINT-LOUIS
«GOURMET FLAVOURS AND HERITAGE»                              1H45
with a specialist tour guide, Historical tour of the Bastide Saint-Louis, punctuated by tastings in boutiques to sample our
local produce. A tour for foodies in search of the finest establishment.
Information and booking at the Municipal Tourist Office or online :
www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr - Tel (+33) 04 68 10 24 30
Monuments and museums
1   1 The Saint Martial bastion, the bastion of the Garden of Calvary,
    Montmorency
    Towards the end of the XVI Century, during the Wars of Religion, bastions replaced the
    medieval fortifications of the Bastide, which were made up of a XIV Century rampart
    surrounded by a trench, later to be transformed into a boulevard.
    Bastions with well-preserved orillons.

2   2 The Carmelite Chapel (end XIII, XVII and XVIII Centuries)
    Ancient chapel of the Carmelite convent built in the gothic style of the Languedoc re-
    gion. It is quite modestly decorated: historiated capitals and capitals decorated with leaf
    designs. The chapel is made up of a single nave measuring 12.8m long and 17m wide,
    flanked by 10 side-chapels. Open all year round : from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to
    12pm and from 2pm to 6pm, on Sunday from 4pm to 6:15pm.
    Closed on Monday.

    3 The church of Saint Vincent and its bell tower (XIV – XV Century)
3   Illustrating the gothic art of the Languedoc region with its nave, the largest in southern
    France. Possibility of visiting the bell tower: Panoramic views of the Medieval City and
    the Bastide Saint-Louis
    From 1st January to 28th February : Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday, Fri-
    day and Saturday from 10:15am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm. Closed on Monday and Sunday.
    From 1st March to 14th June, from 16th September to 31st October and from 1st to 31st De-
    cember: from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:15am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5:15pm.
    From 15th June to 15th September: Monday from 2:45pm to 6:15pm, from Tuesday to Saturday
    from 10am to 12pm and from 2:45pm to 6:15pm.
    From 1st to 30th November : Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm to 5pm . Wednesday and Friday
    from 10:15am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm and Saturday from 10:15am to 12pm and from
4   2pm to 4:45pm

    4 The Fountain of Neptune
    At the centre of the Place Carnot, the fountain of Neptune was created by the Italian
    sculptors Barata, father and son, in 1771. The basin is made of Caunes marble and the
    rest is sculpted from Italian white marble.

    5 The Hotel Roux d’Alzonne (XVI and XVIII Century)
5   The bulk of the construction seems to date back to the very end of the Middle Ages or to
    the start of the XVI Century. Nevertheless, it was renovated during the XVIII Century by
    Roc David La Fajeolle, a merchant and manufacturer of some importance from Carcas-
    sonne. Louis XIV stayed here on the two occasions that he travelled the Saint-Jean de
    Luz Way, where he married the Infanta Maria Theresa. At the end of the XIX Century, the
    hotel became a boarding school for young girls, and in 1921, it subsequently became the
    first public school for girls in Carcassonne, named André Chénier.

6   6 Les Halles (XVII –XIX Century)
    Constructed in 1768 and recently renovated, it brings together the corn exchange,
    the butchers and the fishmongers. Come and meet all the traders in the covered mar-
    ket (Halles Prosper Montagné) from Tuesday to Saturday mornings from 7am to 1am.
    Located at the heart of the Bastide St Louis, the ancient corn exchange today houses
    the Grain d’Aile media library. Beautiful framework, the site of the ancient pillory at
    the centre of the square.

7   7 Memorial House and the room of Joë Bousquet (XV – XVIII Century)
    The Memorial House (Maison des Mémoires) is a fine example of a mansion house; it houses
    the room of the poet Joë Bousquet, preserved in its original state. The poet was injured
    in 1918 and left paralysed, dedicating himself thereafter to the « life of the spirit » and to
    receiving very talented writers, right up until his death in 1950. Temporary exhibitions are
    held here. Open all year round from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to
    6pm; except public holidays. Entry is free.
    Tel: +33(0)4 68 72 45 55

            C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   12
Monuments and museums
8    8 Museum of Fine Art (XVII – XIX Century)
     Ornate Neo-Classical facade. The museum boasts a rich collection of paintings and
     ceramics from the XVII to XXI Centuries and also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions.
     Open all year round except public holidays:
     From 2nd January to 15th June and from 15th September to 31st December : from 10am to
     12pm and from 2pm to 6pm ( from Tuesday to Saturday)
     From 15th June to 15th September: every day from 10am to 6pm
     The first Sunday of each month : from 2:30pm to 5:30pm
     Entry is free to all.
     Tel: +33(0)4 68 77 73 70
9
     9 The Hotel de Rolland (XVIII Century) – City Hall
     Constructed between 1746 and 1761 by Jean François Cavailhès, an ancient woollen
     cloth merchant, and acquired in 1815 by the Rolland family, who kept the property until
     1924. Today, it is the Town Hall and the building that best represents the architecture of
     the XVIII Century.
     Monumental facade with sculpted decor, the facade onto the courtyard and the mas-
     ter staircase.
     The interior is accessible from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from
10   1:30 pm to 5:30pm, and on Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30pm to 4pm

     10 Saint Michel Cathedral (XVIII –XVI Century)
     This church was built in the gothic style of the Languedoc region and became a cathedral
     in 1803 after the Basilica of Saint Nazaire fell out of use. It was restored by Viollet le Duc
     following a fire in 1849.
     Central stained-glass window and ruins of external ramparts.
     From 2nd January to 31st May and from 1st October to 31st December : from Monday to Friday :
     from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 7pm. On Saturday, from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5pm.
11
     On Sunday, from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
     From 1st June to 30th September: from Monday to Friday : from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm
     to 7pm. On Saturday, from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm. On Sunday, from 9am to 12pm.
     Entry is free to all.

     11 The Portal of the Jacobins (XVIII Century)
     Designed by the architect Dolbeau in 1778 to occupy the site of the ancient gate that
     allowed those entering the fortified Bastide to be monitored.
12   On the right hand side of the door it is possible to see the remains of a rampart and of
     the Fountain of the Jacobins, dating from the XVIII Century.

     12 The Chapel of Notre Dame de la Santé (XVI –XVII Century)
     Constructed in 1527, this chapel stood beside Saint-Jacques hospital. It is still very
     popular today, both with the faithful of Carcassonne and with tourists. It marks the start
     of the Pyrenean foothills path leading towards Saint-Jean Pied de Port, on the way to
     Santiago de Compostella.
13   The interior has fine ceilings with lierne and tierceron ribbed vaulting.

     13 The Old Bridge (XIV Century)
     Until the XIX Century , this typical medieval bridge was the only link between the Bastide
     and the Medieval City. Crossing the River Aude, it is nowadays reserved for pedestrians
     and provides quick access to the ramparts.
     Beautiful views of the Medieval City.
14
     14 The Manufacture Royale (XIV Century)
     At the foot of Pont-Vieux, the façade of the former Manufacture Royale remarkably
     restored in 2013, testifies to the textile business that occupied the city for centuries.
     Front entrance, arched openings, ornamental faces and wrought iron balconies.

             C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   13
Walks, discovery and leisure
33                          33 Mobilboard
                            Visit the exceptional city of Carcassonne, stroll along the Canal du Midi, the banks of
                            the Aude and enjoy unique activities. Initiation, hire and discovery tour on a Segway.
                            Prices: Initiation Bastide (the first tour of the Bastide on wheels): from 17 €
                            The banks of the Aude (enjoy an unforgettable moment of relaxation on the water):
                            from 30 €.
                            The Ramparts of the City (admire the cultural richness of our city): from 40€
                            At the heart of Capital (Indulge yourself by visiting the Bastide, the banks of the Aude
                            and the Medieval City): from 50 €
                            Tel : +33 (0)4 68 79 33 49 or +33 (0)6 10 92 64 12 - carcassonne@mobilboard.com
34
                            34 The Cavalry Garden
                            The Calvary Garden was created in 1825, under the reign of Charles X. Canon Cazaindre,
                            supported by the Friends of Calvary, took over the disused bastion and turned it into a
                            place of worship.
                            In the form of a snail and bordered by low walls, beds of box, cypresses, olive trees
                            and laurels.
                            Open daily from mid-April to mid-October from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 7pm and
                            from mid-October to mid-April from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm.Entry is free
35                          to all.

                            35 The Place Carnot and its market
                            A favourite meeting place for residents of Carcassonne, this very lively square is home
                            to the Fountain of Neptune and the shade of its plane trees also provides shelter for a
                            market that sells flowers, fruit and vegetables on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
                            mornings.

           The canal du Midi (XVIII-XIXth centuries) : A technical prowess

                         The work of Pierre-Paul Riquet and excavated in the XVIIth century to link the Atlantic and
                         the Mediterranean, the Canal du Midi, formerly used for transporting goods and people, is
                         today frequented by numerous boaters and tourists and flows through the centre of the city
                         of Carcassonne since 1810.
In 1996, the Canal du Midi was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The locks, bridges, aqueducts and canal bridges along the 240 km of the waterway are witness to the technical
prowess of its constructors and also a work of art.

Spend a few hours or a week discovering the exceptional work of Pierre-Paul Riquet and the canal’s locks, bridges
and aqueducts and enjoy the peaceful and fresh cool air in a hire boat or with a boat tour.
The canal banks, once towpaths, are fringed with different varieties of trees and are a ideal walking and cycling
trail for visitors.

                                    C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   14
The canal du Midi (XVIII-XIXth centuries) : A technical prowess
29                    29 Marina
                      A wide range of services are available: water, electricity, sanitation, showers, hair dryers,
                      internet access, laundry (paying) and tumble dryers (paying). The marina is supervised
                      during the day by the harbour master and by a seccurity team overnight.
                      Just 100 metres from the port, the Bastide Saint-Louis (city centre) provides a wide range
                      of shops and services (bars, restaurants, shopping, supermarkets, local artisan products,
                      taxis, service stations, local market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays... and enter-
                      tainments.
                      From 17th March to 1st May and from 1st October to 1st November : every day from 8:45am to
                      12:30pm and from 1:30pm to 6:30pm
                      From 2nd May to 30th September : every day from 8:45am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm to 7:30pm
                      From 2nd November to 16th March : from Monday to Thursday from 9am to 12pm and from
                      1:30pm to 4:30pm,on Friday from 9am to 12pm.
                      Tel: +33 (0)4 68 25 10 48 - www.port-carcassonne.com

                      For more information :
                      Association du Canal du Midi en Languedoc - www.canaldumidi.com
                      Association Canal à la Une - www.canal-du-midi.org
                      Voies Navigables de France - www.vnf.fr

                                                         Walks, discovery and leisure
     Discover the Canal du Midi with a boat tour

30                    30 Floating restaurant Le Défi
                      This boat offers cruises on the Canal du Midi with lunch or dinner included. Visitors step
                      aboard at the Port of Carcassonne and discover the preserved landscapes of the Canal du
                      Midi, whilst sharing a very pleasant moment.
                      From April to October: departure at 12:30am (duration 2h30) Adults : €38.50 Children : €24
                      From 15th June to 15th September : departure at 7:15pm Adults : €36.50 Children : €24
                      Tel: +33 0(6) 95 79 21 20 – www.carcassonne-navigation.com

                      31 Bateaux Hélios & Lou Gabaret
31                    Cruises with commentary in English, lasting 1h30, 1h45 or 2h30. Sail through locks,
                      through the Epanchoir de Foucault botanical gardens, across the Meridian, under the
                      Canal Bridge and enjoy views of the Medieval City.
                      April, May, June, September, October : departures at 10:30am,2:30pm and 4pm
                      July and August : departure at 10am,10:30am, 12pm and every hour from 2pm to 6pm
                      Only in July and August: picnic cruises with a stop-off in the Foucaud Gardens for lunch, visit
                      the lock house.
                      Adults : from 8,50€ to 11,50€ ; Children : from 6,50€ to 7,50€
                      Tel: +33 (0)4 68 71 61 26 ou +33 (0)6 80 47 54 33 www.carcassonne-croisiere.com
32
                      32 Le Cocagne
                      River cruises with commentary on the Canal du Midi, lasting 1h15 (City Cruise – departures
                      at 2 pm and 6pm ) and 2h (Discovery Cruise – departures at 10am and 3:30pm). It is pos-
                      sible to hire the boat for events.
                      July and August: daily departures at 10am, 2pm, 3:30pm, 6pm.
                      April, May, June, September,October : departures at 10am, 2pm, 3:30pm, 6pm. ( except Tuesday)
                      2H : Adults : €10, under13 years : €8
                      1H15 : Adults : €8, under13 years : €6
                      Tel: +33 0(6) 50 40 78 50 – www.bateau-cocagne-canal-carcassonne.fr

                               C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   15
Walks, discovery and leisure
                    Discover the Canal du Midi in a hire boat

              Boating on the Canal du Midi is from mid-March to the start of No-
              vember and no licence is required to hire a boat.

              Cris’Boat
              15 Quai Riquet - 11000 CARCASSONNE
              Tel: +33 (0)2 30 96 05 57 www.crisboat.com

                    Discover the Canal du Midi on foot or by bike

              In the shade of the canal du Midi, between the riverbanks and locks,
              discover this veritable haven of peace where you can see the locks
              and their keepers, trip and fishing boats…

                                                          CARCASS
                                                                  O
                                                           - Unesco               NNE
                       A guide
                                                                      World He
                                                                              ritage Site
                                                                                            -

                      to walks
                      is available
                     at the tourist
                         office

                                        Walks
                                        Nature an
                                                          d Heritag
                                                                                 e

                                                                                                                                      ssonne
                                                                                                                               sme de Carca
                                                                                                                           e de Touri
                                                                                                                      ssonne, Offic
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                                                                                                          Palau, Mairi
                                                                                                           y : Paul
                                                                                                Photograph

                                                www.tou
                                                       risme-carca
                                                                  ssonne.fr

C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   16
The Medieval City : 2 500 years of history

                           Situated on the right bank of the Aude, the City, a medieval village that is still inhabited,
                           has 52 towers and two concentric walls totalling 3 km in length. Open at night as well as
                           during daytime, via the Porte Narbonnaise and the Porte d’Aude, a large part of the Me-
                           dieval City can be seen on unguided tours by visitors. Accessible on foot from the Bastide
Saint Louis via the Old Bridge and the Trivalle district. (1.6 km, 25 minutes)

                            The district of Trivalle : a small, picturesque and peaceful district. The main
                            streets are Rue de la Barbacane and Rue Trivalle. A 5-minute walk from the Medieval City,
                            the district of Trivalle is much like a village, with its church (St Gimer), shops, artisans,
                            and restaurants. It provides a link between the Medieval City and the Bastide.

A town, a “Cité”... an history                                  Destroyed and rebuilt
                                                                Once within the royal domain, the destiny of the “Cité”
                                                                was to be changed forever. Under the successive reigns of
From its dawning to its glory                                   Louis IX, Philippe le Hardi and Philippe le Bel, it took on
The earliest traces go back to the 6th century B.C. and         its present day appearance. A new lower town came into
are to be found on the heights upon which the “Cité” is         existence in 1260 on the flatlands of the north bank : the
built. Round about the 3rd century B.C. the Volques Tec-        Bastide Saint-Louis. In 1355, Edward Prince of Wales (the
tosages from central Europe subdued the Iberians in the         Black Prince) burnt this lower town to the ground. It was
Languedoc. In 122 B.C. the Romans conquered Provence            immediately rebuilt. Whilst the new town overflowed with
and Languedoc. They fortified the Roman village that took       life, the “Cité”reaffirmed its place as a royal fortress.
the name of Carcaso and continued to rule the region up
until the middle of the 5th century.                            The end of the royal fortress
                                                                However, the use of new technologies in warfare (gunpow-
The Albigensian Crusade                                         der, cannons) and, in particular, the changes to the Fran-
Catharsism, a religion based on dualism, developed ra-          co-Spanish border in 1659 following the Peace of the Pyre-
pidly during this prosperous period. The young viscount         nees lead to it being adandonned.
of Carcassonne, Roger Raymond Trencavel (1194-1209),            In the 18th century the “Cité” was just a miserable outlying
tolerated and protected such heresy in his fief. He was         quarter of the lower town which had prospered through
to feel the first shock of the Crusade against the Cathars      the sale of wine and the manufacture of sheets. It is only
pursued by Pope Innocent III. The end came on the 15th          thanks to the combined actions of Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayre-
August 1209 after 15 days of siege. The “Cité” and the fief     vieille, a learned inhabitant of Carcassonne, Mérimée and
of the Trencavels was given to the military leader of the       the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc, that they were saved
Crusades, Simon de Montfort and in 1224 gave up all his         and that thousands of visitors can still admire one of the
interests in Languedoc to King Louis VIII.                      most accomplished fortified towns in Europe.

                                      C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   17
C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   18
THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY
                       THE CITY AND ITS SURROUNDS AT THE KEENEST PRICES !
                       GUIDED TOUR OF THE MEDIEVAL CITY
                       Informations ans booking to the Municipal Tourist Office or online :
                       www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr

  Choose your visit and book !
« CLASSIC »              1H15 - Adults 9,50€ / 10/17 years Students Disabled 7€ / 4/9 years Free
From the ramparts to the basilica via the château (exterior only), our tour guide will lead you to the heart of the
Occitan City.

« CATHARISM »           1H30 - Adults 12€ / 10/17 years Students Disabled 9,50€ / 4/9 years Free
Learn about the events that have shaken the history of the South of France : Who were the people we now call “the
Cathars»? Why did the Pope and the King of France unleash the terrible Albigensian Crusade?

« MILITARY ARCHITECTURE »                 1H30 - Adults 12€ / 10/17 years Students Disabled 9,50€ / 4/9 years Free
Discover the mysteries of the Medieval City’s construction; the genius of military techniques finds ample expression
in its dual ramparts and in the intriguing remnants of the various phases in its fortification.

« FULL TOUR »          2H - Adults 12€ / 10/17 years Students Disabled 9,50€ / 4/9 years Free
The grand tour of the City : From the Roman gates to the once feudal, then royal, château, take a guided journey
through 2600 years of turbulent history.

« FAMILY VISIT WITH GUIDE IN PERIOD DRESS »                  1H - Adults 9,50€ / 10/17 years Students Disabled 7€ / 4/9 years 2€
Legends will be told and mysteries revealed by a character from the distant past! The walls and alleys of the City will
share with you their many secrets.

« NIGHT-TIME TOUR »             1H - Adults 12€ / 10/17 years Students Disabled 9,50€ / 4/9 years Free
Enjoy the cool of a summer night, to (re)discover Carcassonne’s Medieval City, between illuminated ramparts and
romantic alleys, in search of a lost age.

                                       C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   19
Monuments and museums
15   15 The Chateau (XII and XIII Century) and inner ramparts
     A last line of defence, the Château was built in the XII-XIII Century by the Trencavel
     family, Viscounts of Carcassonne, and was constantly altered throughout the following
     centuries. In the XIII Century the construction of the inner section was carried out in
     order to fortify the building. This ring of fortifications includes a curtain wall, circular
     towers, a small castle at the entrance, a barbican and a trench. The interior wall includes
     parts of the Gallo-Roman ramparts (III-IV Century) characterised by their small openings
     surmounted by brickwork stringcourses. Much of the inner rampart was rebuilt in the
     last quarter of the 13th Century and the beginning of the 14th Century. It is accessible
15
     from the Château Comtal.
     Prices: Castle and ramparts self-guided tour 9€, Europeans aged under 26: free, 18-25 year-
     olds from outside the EU: 7€
     Guided tour 12.50€, 18-25 year-olds 9€, under-18s free.
     From 1st April to 30th September: from 10am to 6:30pm
     From 1st October to 31st March: from 9:30am to 5pm
     Closed on 01/01, 01/05,01 and 11/11,25/12.
     Château and ramparts free access €9, Europeans under 26: free, non Europeans 18/25 years €7
     Lecture tour: €12,50, 18/25years: €9, under 18 years : free.
     Tel: +33 (0)4 68 11 70 70
16
     16 The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire (XI-XIV- XIX Centuries)
     The “Jewel of the Medieval City”, an example of harmonious coexistence of Romanesque
     and Gothic architecture with the finest stained glass in the south of France. The very
     fisrt legal document that mentions this church dates back to 925. In 1096, Pope Urban II
     visited Carcassonne and blessed the stones of Saint-Nazaire and Saint Celse cathedrals.
     The building was constructed in the first half on the XII Century. Altered serveral times, it
     lost its status as a cathedral in 1801 to the church of Saint-Michel, which is located in the
     Bastide. In 1898, it was given the title of Basilica by Pope Leo XIII.
     Roman portal, nave, vault and 8 Roman side-chapels, Gothic transept and choir,
17   stained-glass windows.
     From 1st January to 28th February: daily from 8am to 5:30pm
     March : daily from 8am to 6:30pm / From April to October : from Monday to Saturday from
     8am to 8pm.Sunday from 8am to 10:45am and from 12:30pm to 8pm. Free entrance.

     17 The tilt yard (XIII Century) and external ramparts
     This space, in between the two ramparts, measuring just over 1km in circumference,
     was levelled out in the XIII Century, at the time when the 2nd wall was raised. From the
     XVII Century onwards, the poorest residents of Carcassonne built their homes here before
     these settlements were destroyed during the restoration of the City by Viollet le Duc in
18   the XIX Century. During the XIII Century, the Kings of France ordered the construction of a
     second defensive ring around the outside of the City, complete with dry moat.
     Today, the tilt yard allows visitors to discover the different features of military archi-
     tecture and offers opportunities to appreciate the various aspects of the City’s mili-
     tary architecture and provides fine views over the Bastide Saint Louis, the Pyrenees
     and the Montagne Noire.

     18 Aude Gate (XIII Century)
     To the west, the Aude Gate faces the river of the same name.This gate with its typically me-
     dieval appearance was formerly extended by the Aude barbican or bastion which was partly
19   demolished in 1816 for the building of the church of Saint-Gimer. Only the ramp surrounded
     by crenelated walls still remains.Located next to the castle, the gate has been used as the
     backdrop for the shooting of numerous films such as Les Visiteurs, Robin Hood Prince of \Thie-
     ves and Le Corniaud. Gateway to the City. Gateway to the City. Very Picturesque trails
     and magnificent viewpoints on the ramparts.

     19 Saint Gimer Church (XIX Century)
     One of the 3 churches designed by the architect Viollet le Duc (XIXth) and built between
     1854 and 1859.Its architecture is characterised by the Gothic vision of the famous architect.

             C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   20
Monuments and museums
20   20 The Théâtre de la Cité           (XX Century) and its Festival
     This theatre, located inside the Medieval City, was founded in 1908 on the site of the
     former Saint-Nazaire cloisters. It once welcomed nearly 6000 people at a time (only 3000
     or so are allowed today) with the audience seated on benches or simple chairs.
     In 1957, actor and director Jean Deschamps created the famous Festival de la Cité, which
     has taken place every summer since then. In tribute to his actions, the Théâtre de la Cité
     adopted the name « théâtre Jean Deschamps » on 15th July 2006.
     Only visible from the ramparts during a guided visit from the Chateau.

21   21 Museum of The School
     Reconstruction of a classroom from the time of Jules Ferry in the 1950’s.
     Entertaining visit where visitors can write using a feather quill or Sergeant Major pen.
     Open all year round.Closed on1st January, 1st May and 25th December.
     January, February and November : from 10am to 5m
     From March to October and December,: from 10am to 6pm
     Adults: €3,50 ; Under 12 years: free.
     Tel : +33 (0)4 68 25 95 14

22

     22 Museum of the Inquisition
     A presentation of the Inquisition, its history and the instruments of torture used right up
     until the French Revolution.
     Open every day
     From 1st January to 8th July and from 27th August to 31st December: from 10am to 6pm
     From 9th July to 26th August : from 10am to 9pm
     Adults: €9,50; students: € 8,50.
     Tel: +33 (0)6 03 84 13 86
23

     23 The Large and the small Well
     Of the 2 wells that supplied the City, this is reputed to be the oldest. Its edges date from
     the XIV Century and its columns and locks date back to the Renaissance era. Legend tells
     that there is a treasure hidden here, but the archaeological dig organised in 1910 failed
     to find it.

24   24 The Narbonnaise Gate (XIII Century) – The Levis Bridge
     Built around 1280 during the reign of Philippe III (the Bold) and consisting of two enor-
     mous projecting towers.
     It owes its name to its orientation towards Narbonne. The main entrance to the Me-
     dieval City is via the Levis Bridge.

     25 Museum of Treasures of Notre Dame de l’Abbaye
25
     This museum holds the collections of the Bishopric and of the major and minor semina-
     ries of Carcassonne, the donations from private individuals and religious congregations,
     as well as acquisitions from the last 50 years. Notre-Dame de l’abbaye is Carcassonne’s
     oldest place of worship, visited on 11th June 1096 by Pope Urban II (1042-1099) when he
     came to bless the construction of the Cathedral of Saint Nazaire in the Medieval City.
     July and August : every day from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm.By reservation the rest
     of the year.
     Free entrance.
     Tel: +33 (0)4 68 25 16 65

             C A R C A S S O N N E - Touristic guide 2018   21
Monuments and museums
26   26 Cultural Centre devoted to the memory of combattants past
     Exhibition.Retrospective of military history, with objects, uniforms, accessories and do-
     cuments.
     From Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 18pm.
     Free entrance.
     Tel: +33 (0)4 68 72 40 16

27   27 Museum of Chivalry
     Come and discover the world of chivalry and its codes, as well as numerous objects from
     everyday life in the Middle Ages.
     From January to June and from September to mid-November : from 10am to 6pm
     July and August : from 9:30am to 9pm
     Adults: €6, Children : €4, Students : €5
     Tél : +33(0) 6 89 20 28 96
     chevaleriecarcassonne11@gmail.com

28
     28 Tresau Tower and vestiges of the Gallo-Roman ramparts
     Built into the inner ramparts of the Medieval City, the Tresau Tower (meaning “treasure”)
     completes the defences of the Narbonne Gate. In the 14th century, it was an annex to the
     treasury of Carcassonne’s royal seneschal.
     High flat facade, stepped gable, two high chimneys, and large windows
     Vestiges of the Gallo-Roman walls can be found at the foot of and all along the Medie-
     val City’s high inner wall.

                                       Walks, discovery and leisure
36   36 The Tourist train
     Complete tour of the rampart walls ( in 13 languages and one for children) looking at the
     architecture and defences.
     Duration : 20 min – From July to 15TH October
     July and August : from 10am to 6pm
     From 2nd September to 15th October : from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm
     Closed on 14th July and 2nd September
     Reception and starting point : Narbonnaise Gate, in front of the Levis Bridge
     Adults ( + 26 years ): €7,50 ; Students (13/ 25 years): €6, Children 4/12 years : €4
     Tel: +33 (0)4 68 24 45 70
     www.petit-train-cite-carcassonne.com/

37   37 The calèches de la Cité
     Carriage tour of the tilt yard between the 2 ramparts. Duration : 20 min
     May and June : daily except on Saturdays from 10am to 6pm
     July and August : daily from 10am to 6pm
     September : daily except on Saturdays from 10:30am to 5pm
     October : From 1st to 21st : daily except on Saturdays from 10:30am to 4pm
     From 22nd to 31st daily : from 10:30am to 4pm
     November : daily from 1st to 5th from 10:30am to 4pm
     Closed from 11st to 1st April
     The times shown above may vary slightly, for technical reasons or due to adverse weather
     conditions (extreme heat or heavy rain).
     The schedules of visit are indicated at the entrance of the City.
     Adults: €8; 2/10 years: €5
     Tel: +33 (0)4 68 71 54 57 - www.carcassonne-caleches.com

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Walks, discovery and leisure
38   38 ILC Medieval ‘Living History’ Centre
     Live through the Middle Ages with a knight.
     Let yourself be transported into the medieval world with entertainment and visits that
     are fun, informative and interactive.
     All year long at the heart of the Medieval City:
     Guided tour: «Over the ramparts» in French and English
     Discovery of the history of the City, its defensive system and the link between individual
     military equipment and the architecture of the place.
     Duration : 45 minutes
     €7.50/person; Under 5 years old : free
     The chivalry experience: «Meet a 12th Century knight”
     Discover the strict codes of chivalry, a knight’s equipment and how to wield a sword / shield.
     Duration : 30 minutes
     €5/person; Under 5 years old : free
     Option to buy a group ticket - Visit + chivalry experience: 11.50€
     Wheelchair access; dogs allowed.
     Tél : +33 (0)6 37 80 69 33
     www.ilc-lacite.com
39

     39 The haunted house
     A haunting experience in a mock-up of an old country manor house.
     July and August : Every day from 10am to 10pm
     Out of season : Every day from 10am to 6pm
     Price: €7
     Tel: +33 (0)6 03 84 15 12
     www.maisonhantee-carcassonne.com

40

     40 Medieval Jousting
      At the foot of the walls and the towers, horsemen will ride their galloping horses into
     combat where no quarter is given, all set to the sound of clashing swords.
     July / August : 3pm and 4:45pm except on Saturdays

     41 The book workshop
     Colours and words ... At the foot of the Medieval City, in the halls of an ancient abbey,
41   discovery workshops and introductions to the artisanal techniques of book production.
     Making sheets of marbled paper, experimentation with typography and engraving. Short
     workshops (45 mins) or courses (full day or half day).
     Discovery of book exhibitions, engravings and printing equipment.
     Open Easter weekends, from 23rd to 27th April, from 7th to 11th May. July and August and
     from 22th October to 2nd November : From Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 1pm and from
     2pm to 6:30pm.
     From €3
     Tél : +33 (0)4 68 26 88 90 or +33 (0)6 38 68 49 42 or +33 (0)6 86 97 21 22
     www.atelierdulivre.net

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La Cavayere Lake : the beach just a stone’s throw from the town!

Located a short distance from the Medieval City, the            is a veritable haven of rest, fresh air and outdoor plea-
lake lies in a beautiful setting where peace and serenity       sures, right on the doorstep of Carcassonne. Play areas
reigns in the midst of a preserved natural environment.         for children, watersports, sandy and pebble beaches
Born out of the ashes of the fire of 1985 that ravaged          with lifeguard in the summer (from 1pm to 7pm), ideal
the area, Cavayère Lake is a magnificent reservoir that         fishing spots, perfect for walkers.
covers a surface area of 18ha.
An ideal spot for rambling and relaxing, Cavayère Lake

Access
• By car :
Take the RD6 113 departmental road in the direction of
Narbonne. On the outskirts of Carcassonne, turn right
in the direction of ‘Le Lac de la Cavayère’, Montlegun
• By Bus :
Line n°1 and Line n°2 from Monday to Saturday –
Agglo’bus : +33 (0)4 68 47 82 22
• By bike or on foot (10.5 km) : leave the Medieval
City Narbonnaise Gate, walk alongside the cemetary
and turn left in the direction of Sainte-Croix. Follow
the white and red signposted path (GR36): you will get
to a junction where it crosses the Pech Mary loop, there
you will cross a pine grove and take the path downhill
alongside to the left, the Relais de la Cavayère ( Bed
and Breakfast) then the stadium (to the right), and
finish up on the Montlegun road to Cavayère that can
be followed along the cycle path that runs along the
right hand side. After the motorway bridge, turn left
until you reach the lake. Walkers can take the lakeside
path that runs around the entire lake and return to the
Medieval City by the same route.

Mini golf
June : 2pm-6pm / July-August : 2pm-7pm
Adults : 5€ Children ( Under 9 ) : 3,50€
Tél. +33 (0)6 45 06 92 83

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La Cavayere Lake
42   42 The Australian Park
     Wildlife and leisure park on the theme of Australia. A unique and interactive experience
     in the land of Kangaroos, gold prospectors and aborigines.
     From 7th April to 4th November, daily public holidays from 10:30am to 6pm
     Guided visits and entertainment at 11am,2pm,3pm,4pm and 5pm in summer.
     Adults and children +12 Years : €10,50, Children (4/11 years) : €7,50, Under 4 : free
     Not during holidays: from Monday to Friday from 2pm to 6pm. No guided visits : €7.50
     Tel: +33 (0)4 68 25 86 83 or +33 (0)4 68 25 05 07 - www.leparcaustralien.fr

43
     43 Acrobatic forest park O2 Aventure
     Acrobatic forest trail for children and adults by the Lac de la Cavayère.
     April and May: every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as public holidays and throughout
     the school holidays: 1.30pm – 5pm. Other days by reservation, min. 8 people.
     June, July and August: every day from 1pm to 6pm. Mornings by reservation only.
     September and October : every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as public holidays and
     throughout the school holidays: 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Other days by reservation, min. 8 people.
     From November to March: opening by reservation only.
     Adults : €16, Children : €8
     Tel: + 33 (0)4 68 25 33 83 ou + 33 (0)6 07 96 04 55 - www.o2aventure.com

44

     44 Nautical ski lift
     The centre offers many disciplines: wakeboarding, monoski, wake-skate, kneeboard and
     water skiing drawn by cables + modules available to riders (kickers, roof, ollie box),
     paddle boarding.
     There’s also a dining area with a relaxed tapas bar atmosphere, with places to sit in the
     sun and in the shade.
     Paddle : from €7 to €10 / Ski Lift : €18 for 1 hour.
     Open out of season on reservation.
     Tel : +33 (0)6 38 56 72 62

45   45 Pedalos, paddle boarding
     From mid-June to early September: daily from 11am to 7pm
     Rates for pedalos: With 2 seats (10€ per ½ hour, 15€ per hour) – with 4 seats (20€ per ½ hour,
     30€ per hour) – with 6 seats (25€ per ½ hour, 35€ per hour)
     Rates for paddle boards: 7€ per ½ hour, 10€ per hour
     Tél: +33 (0)6 20 06 27 28

46
     46 Aquaviva Park
     An inflatable water park at the Cavayère Lake: toboggan, catapult, climbing cage, tram-
     polines, swing and giant turnstile.
     From 1st June to 31st August from 11am to 7pm
     Rates for aquatic park : 8€ per hour or 12€ for 2 hours ; option Waterjump : plus 5€
     Day Pass : 18€
     Tel: +33 (0)6 16 23 00 46 - www.parcaquaviva.com

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