Porte d'Aude, Medieval gate and viewpoint in Carcassonne, France
The Porte d'Aude features a semicircular arch entrance with two flanking towers, positioned on a steep path overlooking the Aude River.
The gate, originally called Gate of Toulouse, pierced the Visigothic wall during the 12th century and lost its drawbridge during partial destruction in 1816.
The gate appears in numerous films including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, serving as a representation of medieval French military architecture.
Access to the gate requires walking up a steep pedestrian-only path, offering an alternative entrance to the citadel with fewer visitors.
The gate's design forced attackers to make sharp turns while approaching, creating a defensive trap without requiring additional bridges or ditches.
Location: Carcassonne
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: 30 Côte de la Cité, 11000 Carcassonne, France 11000 Carcassonne
Phone: +33468117070
Website: http://remparts-carcassonne.fr
GPS coordinates: 43.20755,2.36288
Latest update: October 24, 2025 17:38
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.
Cité de Carcassonne
144 m
Château comtal de Carcassonne
65 m
Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse
253 m
Théâtre Jean-Deschamps
305 m
Église Saint-Gimer de Carcassonne
89 m
Pont-Vieux
434 m
Théâtre Jean Deschamps
302 m
Musée de l'école de Carcassonne
265 m
Porte Narbonnaise
224 m
Notre-Dame-de-Santé
502 m
Pozo pequeño (s.XIV)
267 m
Hôtel de la Cité
213 m
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Abbaye de Carcassonne
302 m
Buste de Théophile Marcou
188 m
Musée-trésor de Notre-Dame-de-l'Abbaye de Carcassonne
279 m
Musée lapidaire de Carcassonne
36 m
Petit Puits
269 m
Monument à Joseph Poux
286 m
Hôtel de Pelletier
175 m
Monument de Cros Mayrevieille
152 m
Palais de la Micheline
296 m
Manufacture royale de draps
319 m
Grand Puits
110 m
Chapelle du Petit Saint-Gimer de Carcassonne
160 m
Pipe organ in Carcassona
253 m
Fresque murale du Château de Carcassonne
55 m
Maison de Montmorency
378 m
Le Dôme
663 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes