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. 

If you're staying in Toulouse and want to discover the Cité de Carcassonne, the Comtal Castle, the Saint Nazaire Basilica and more historical highlights, this is the perfect day tour for you. Located 1 hour from Toulouse, Carcassonne is one of the 25 great sites of Midi-Pyrénées. In Cathar country and at the heart of the fortified city, you can discover the Château of the Counts of Carcassonne and the Remparts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will departure from Toulouse at 9:30AM (check-in is at 9:15AM), with a planned arrival in Carcassonne at 10:30AM.  Following your day of discovery, you will depart from Carcassonne at 4:30PM, with a planned return to Toulouse at 5:30PM.

Come along on this tour and learn all about the history of this fascinating city.  Enter through the main entrance, known as Porte Narbonnaise, to the medieval city. Learn about the fortifications built by the Romans. Cross the main street, Rue Cross Mayrevieille to the castle. Discover the museum inside the castle and develop a better understanding of the Trencavel family that defended the Cathars during the Albigensian Crusade.  Walk along the top of the wall, crossing both medieval and Roman towers as you head towards the church. Hear an explanation (in English, French or Italian) about the architecture of the Gothic church and see the beautiful stained glass windows, built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Walk through the streets of the ancient religious quarter and learn about the inquisition in Carcassonne and Toulouse.

Visit of the charming medieval town of Uzès, founded during the Roman era and the site of an aqueduct that was built to supply the city of Nîmes. The Pont du Gard is the most well-known stretch of the aqueduct left standing. On this 5-hour program, you’ll see the traces of Roman civilization in Uzès as well as substantial monuments from the Middle Ages. Visit the famous 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard, a section of the Roman aqueduct that provided water to Nîmes. The highly photographed bridge was listed by UNESCO in 1985 as a World Heritage Site. You’ll discover the treasures of Nîmes, including the Coliseum that is considered to be second only to the Coliseum in Rome. Its Roman amphitheater is still in use and today has a seating capacity of 10,000.

Play the role of a nobleman as you walk around Carcassonne in search of clues and amazing stories. Each clue will lead you from one place to another, giving you precise directions, so you won’t need a map, a GPS or a guide. When you solve it and guess the answer, the secret story of that place is unlocked. Along the way, you’ll reach amazing places, such as the Gambetta Square, Notre Dame de La Santé, Porte de l'Aude, Museum of the Inquisition, and more. You will find out secret stories about the places you discover, and you will help Carcassonne to fight it's haunting ghosts. After you buy the quest, you will receive instruction on how to unlock in the app by e-mail. The game takes about 2-hours to complete, but there’s no time limit, you can finish it at your own pace. You won’t need a guide, just download the app, go to the starting point and you’re ready to go on a city exploration adventure. As you solve the clues, you'll discover new locations and stories. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to play the city game on their smartphone. Alternatively, each person can purchase their own voucher. You can play as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or you can split into smaller groups/teams and compete against the others. Each person can also play on their own, separate from the group, and meet the group at the end.

Explore some of the historic sites of Provence on a full-day minibus tour from Marseille. Embark on an unforgettable journey back to the Middle Ages at Les Baux de Provence a medieval fortress located on a rocky spur in the Alpills region. Continue to Pont du Gard, one of the largest and best preserved aqueduct of the Roman period. Drive along the docks between the Rhône River and historic city walls, looking at the Saint-Benezet Bridge made famous by the children's song, “Sur le Pont d'Avignon.” See the impressive Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace), the site of the Papacy in the 14th century before their return to Rome. Sample the wines of the Rhône River valley in the legendary village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, boasting a castle ruin that overlooks the vineyards of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Visit the cellar of a winery for a complimentary wine-tasting session.

Carcassonne is the largest medieval city in Europe with its walls still intact. It’s also one of the most recognisable and most visited tourist destinations in France, having been featured in many well-known movies. Despite all this, most tourists barely scratch the surface when they visit Cité de Carcassonne. On this walking tour around the UNESCO World Heritage site, I’ll point out some of its most interesting architectural features, and bring its history to life. Starting outside the medieval city walls, I’ll show you the Buste de Dame Carcas (a sculpture of Lady Carcas) and tell you the story of how she saved the city from Charlemagne. As you enter the city through Porte Narbonnaise (Narbonne Gate, you’ll begin following the wall, which encircles the old city. Along the way, you’ll also learn about the Cathars who flourished here in the twelfth century, the crusade launched against them, and some of the sieges that took place here. You’ll hear about the many different peoples who have occupied this place, and its military role over more than a millennium. You’ll also: • Find out about the brief Muslim period, in between the Visigoths and the Franks • Hear the tragic story of the Cathars that culminated here • Spot the flying pig in a stone sculpture • Learn why the Papal Inquisition was implemented here long before the Spanish Inquisition existed • Discover the role played by Saint Dominic and his Dominican friars in establishing Inquisition practices to eliminate what they regarded as “heresy” • Take in the impressive and almost century-old Château et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne, also known as the Château Comtal, where the castle meets the wall and its surrounding defenses • See the Church of Saints Nazaire and Celse, the city’s two patron saints • Gaze upon the monument de la Jean Pierre Cros Mayrevieille, a doctor of law, a historian and an Inspector of Historic Monuments who saved the city from ruin • Locate the various “kill zones” that enemies risked finding themselves trapped in when attempting to siege the city On this two-hour tour, you won’t just trace the walls of Carcassonne, you’ll also venture into its centre through various gates including the Aude, Nazaire, and Toulouse Gates. Join me, James McDonald, an English historian of the medieval period specialising in the Languedoc, as I bring these old stones to life.

Step back in time and discover the thrilling world of medieval France at the Aigues Mortes Ramparts. With their use dating back to 1278, the ramparts stand as a historical record of architectural strategies used in medieval warfare, as well as the centuries-long struggle between Catholics and Protestants. Built to protect the Mediterranean port of Aigues Mortes, the fortifications comprise 20 towers and nearly a mile of stone wall. Amble past the multiple entrances to the wall, including the Gardette Door, and gaze up at the Tower of Constance, one of the most well-preserved examples of medieval towers — used in the 19th century as a prison for Protestant dissidents. Keep your eyes peeled for traces of the projectiles fired at the ramparts during the many conflicts that occurred along the walls, each a priceless account of over 700 years of French military history.

Walk along the Jardins de la Fontaine and discover the Tour Magne on the heights of the city of Nîmes. Built in 400 BC, the Tour Magne is one of the last Roman remains. The monument offers a panoramic view over the city of Nîmes, allowing you to admire it and catch a glimpse of the Arena. Thanks to the free audio guide, hosted by french actor Bruno Solo, you can learn more about the history of this monument and discover the legend of François Traucat (the emblematic gardener who was looking for a treasure inside the Tour Magne). You can also participate into a prize draw to win a souvenir of your visit to Nîmes at the end of your visit. Before visiting the Tour Magne, you can also visit the Nîmes Arena and the Maison Carrée, a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate. These two other monuments are part of Nîmes' Roman past. The ticket of the Tour Magne does not include the entrance of the Amphitheatre of Nîmes and the Maison Carrée. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. For more informations: info@arenes-nimes.com

Follow in the tracks of Vincent van Gogh in Provence on this 5-hour tour. Begin in Arles, a city that fascinated the artist. Then, set off to discover the city through the history of the artist during this fascinating city tour. First, visit the monumental “Carrières de Lumières” which hosts extraordinary multimedia shows, unique in the world with Dali and Gaudi. Finish with St Paul de Mausole, the famous psychiatric hospital, where Van Gogh spent 1 very creative year.