Discover the Château and ramparts of Carcassone: see a 12-minute film combining 3-D images and close-up footage; walk along the galleries, the fortified walls and the ramparts; explore the archaeological museum and many other attractions.
About this ticket
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Covid-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Valid 1 day
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Skip the ticket line
- Instant confirmation
Experience
Highlights
- Discover the home of one of the most powerful 12-century French families
- Climb the square Bishop's Tower, the only construction that straddles both city walls
- See the Salle Pierre Embry, a window composed of three polychrome alabaster statues from the early 15th century
Full description
Carcassonne was settled as early as the 6th century BC and later became an important Roman town. It was fortified in the 4th century and was a strategic site in the Middle Ages. It took on its definitive shape in the 13th century with the king’s decision to construct the distinctive double-walled ramparts and extend the castle. The city was restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century and is a testimony to 1,000 years of military architecture and 2,500 years of history.
Left in ruins after the the Cathar Crusade (1209-1229), the Inquisition and exile of the Trencavel family, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was commissioned by the French state in 1844 to restore the city of Cathar. Completed in 1911 under the direction of his pupil Paul Boeswillwald, the royal city was returned to its original splendor, finally being inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1997.
In a new, self-guided addition to this tour, guests are invited to see the magnificent views from the medieval western ramparts.
Includes
- Self-guided tour of castle courtyards, archaeological museum and ramparts
- Leaflet in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Russian or Polish
Covid-19 precautions
Traveler requirements
- You are required to bring and wear a mask
- All participants who are over 18 years old must present either proof of full vaccination, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 6 months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity starts
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
The details below may change if you update your current selection:
Meeting point
Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne 1, rue Viollet-le-Duc 11000 Carcassonne. Please note that this attraction closes at 4:00 PM on 24th December and 31st December.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
Know before you go
- Last admission 45 minutes before closing time
- Closed 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December
- The Ramparts will also be closed on the 14th of July due to fireworks
- Please note that this attraction closes at 4:00 PM on 24th December and 31st December
- Accessibility:
- Number of floors visited during the tour: 2
- Monument accessible to people with limited mobility (Barbican and main courtyard) The site holds a 'Tourism and Disability' label
- Entrance is free for under 18s and visitors who are under 26 with EU ID, subject to reserving a timeslot on the Castle and Ramparts of Carcassonne website