The region around Carcassonne features an area marked by medieval and Cathar history, with castles, abbeys, and old villages. The Cité of Carcassonne displays its city walls restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc, while the Canal du Midi has traversed the region for 240 kilometers since the 17th century. The castles of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse overlook the landscape from their rocky spurs at over 700 meters above sea level, serving as the last strongholds of the Cathar resistance in the 13th century. Villages like Minerve and Lagrasse showcase medieval architecture, with narrow streets, ancient bridges, and Benedictine abbeys. The region also includes the four Lastours castles aligned along a ridge, the Saint-Maurice Cathedral in Mirepoix with its 22-meter-wide Gothic nave, and natural sites like Lake Cavayère. These monuments and landscapes form a representative ensemble of the south of France’s historical and natural heritage, accessible from Carcassonne.
Carcassonne, France
This medieval fortress from the 13th century features ramparts restored by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The fortifications include fifty-two towers and three kilometers of walls.
Minerve, France
The village of Minerve sits on a limestone plateau at the confluence of the Brian and Cesse gorges. The two rivers have carved natural bridges through erosion.
Lagrasse, France
The medieval village of Lagrasse is organized around its Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century and rebuilt in the 14th century. The Orbieu river flows through the town and is crossed by a medieval stone bridge with several arches. The narrow streets of the center preserve old houses and remains of fortifications.
Lastours, France
The Castles of Lastours comprise four medieval fortresses aligned on a rocky ridge: Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertineux. These military structures controlled the iron mines of the valley and monitored the communication routes through the Montagne Noire. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, these castles represent Cathar defensive architecture and were besieged during the Albigensian Crusade.
Mirepoix, France
This 14th-century building features a facade decorated with wooden sculptures depicting figures, animals and plant motifs.
Occitanie, France
The Canal du Midi is a navigable waterway built in the 17th century under Louis XIV. The canal extends over 240 kilometers, includes 63 locks and connects Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea.
Mirepoix, France
The Saint-Maurice Cathedral is a Gothic building from the 14th century with a 22-meter-wide nave, reconstructed in the 19th century under the direction of architect Viollet-le-Duc.
Cucugnan, France
This fortified castle built at 728 meters altitude in the 11th century represents the last bastion of Cathar resistance against the Albigensian Crusade. Quéribus Castle occupies a rocky spur in the Corbières mountains and provides a remarkable defensive position. The fortifications include a polygonal keep and a Gothic chapel with a palm-vaulted ceiling. The site resisted until 1255 before becoming a French royal stronghold.
Carcassonne, France
Lac de la Cavayère is a reservoir created in 1988 for agricultural irrigation, surrounded by pine forest. The site offers summer water activities including swimming and pedal boating, as well as several hiking trails through the wooded surroundings.
Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, France
Peyrepertuse Castle stands on a rocky spur at 800 meters altitude in the Corbières mountains. This royal Cathar fortress consists of two distinct fortified sections, the lower castle and the San Jordi keep, connected by a staircase carved into the rock with 156 steps. The ramparts extend nearly 300 meters in length and overlook the surrounding valleys.
Narbonne, France
This monastery was founded in 1093 and includes a cloister, chapter house, terraced gardens and a Romanesque church. Cistercian monks lived at Fontfroide Abbey until 1901.
Cabrespine, France
This natural cavity located in the Montagne Noire reaches 250 meters in depth and displays calcite and aragonite concretions.
Carcassonne, France
The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. Medieval stained glass windows and the Romanesque nave reflect its architectural history.
Carcassonne, France
The Château Comtal is a 12th-century medieval fortress located within the city of Carcassonne. The castle features two defensive walls, defensive towers and military exhibition halls.
Carcassonne, France
This stone bridge built in the 14th century allows pedestrians to cross the Aude River to reach the Bastide Saint-Louis.
Carcassonne, France
The Cathedral of Saint-Michel was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries in the southern French Gothic style and stands in the Bastide Saint-Louis district. This religious building features characteristic Languedoc architecture, with a single nave typical of Gothic churches in this region.
Carcassonne, France
This medieval church stands at an elevated position offering direct views of the Pyrenees mountain range and the fortifications of the city of Carcassonne.
Caunes-Minervois, France
This abbey was founded in the 8th century and includes a church in southern Gothic style, a cloister built in the 18th century, and a Romanesque crypt. The monastery developed into an important religious center of the region during the Middle Ages and today displays various architectural periods from the High Middle Ages to the Classical era.
Carcassonne, France
The Porte Narbonnaise serves as the largest entrance to the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne. It features two massive towers and a defensive system with a barbican.
Carcassonne, France
This western defensive gate of the city of Carcassonne features a staggered access typical of medieval military architecture.
Olonzac, France
Lac de Jouarres covers 84 hectares and features a supervised beach during the summer season. This artificial lake offers designated picnic areas and several sports facilities for water and land activities. The shores provide shaded areas for visitors.
Carcassonne, France
Place Carnot forms the central square of Carcassonne, lined with stone arcades. A market takes place here three times a week, featuring local producers and traders.
Carcassonne, France
The Théâtre Jean Deschamps is an outdoor performance space located in the courtyard of the Count's Castle, hosting concerts and theatrical performances during the summer festival. Shows take place against the backdrop of the medieval fortress walls.
Carcassonne, France
La Bastide Saint Louis is a medieval quarter built in the 13th century following a regular plan with straight streets that run from the Cité to the Canal du Midi.
Montolieu, France
Montolieu sits at an altitude of 400 metres and houses bookshops, craft workshops and art galleries within its medieval lanes. The village has established itself as a book town, drawing visitors who explore the winding streets and discover the numerous second-hand bookshops along the way.
Montolieu, France
Museum housed in a cooperative cellar featuring 1500 works of folk, naive and singular art gathered by Cérès Franco.
Limousis, France
The Grotte de Limousis is an underground network extending 1.5 km with limestone concretions, a subterranean river and a 4-meter aragonite chandelier, one of the largest formations of its kind in Europe.
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil, France
Villelongue Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1180, located in a wooded valley. The preserved buildings include the cloister with rounded arches, the vaulted chapter house and several conventual galleries. The remains illustrate the spatial organization typical of 12th-century Cistercian establishments.
Mayronnes, France
The Sentier sculpturel de Mayronnes is a 5-kilometre walking trail through the garrigue featuring modern sculptures and artistic installations integrated into the natural landscape.
Pennautier, France
The Château de Pennautier was built in 1620 in Louis XIII style and features formal French gardens. The estate produces AOC Cabardès wines and offers guided tours of its historical interiors, including decorated reception rooms and vaulted cellars. Visitors can explore the architecture and learn about the winemaking tradition maintained here for centuries.