Carcassonne, Medieval fortress city in Occitanie, France
The Cité of Carcassonne rises between two walls with 53 towers on a hill above the Aude River in southern France.
Romans established a hilltop settlement in the 1st century BC, which later became a strategic stronghold between the Atlantic and Mediterranean routes.
The Basilique Saint-Nazaire combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture, displaying 13th and 14th-century stained glass windows within its stone walls.
The fortress maintains two distinct sections: the medieval Cité on the hilltop and the lower modern town with hotels, restaurants, and transport connections.
The military architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc conducted an extensive restoration of the deteriorating fortress from 1853 through 1879.
Location: Aude
Location: arrondissement of Carcassonne
Elevation above the sea: 127 m
Shares border with: Berriac, Caux-et-Sauzens, Cavanac, Cazilhac, Couffoulens, Fontiès-d'Aude, Lavalette, Montirat, Palaja, Pennautier, Pezens, Roullens, Trèbes, Villedubert, Villemoustaussou
Address: 32 rue Aimé-Ramond, 11000 Carcassonne 11000 Carcassonne
Phone: +33468777111
Email: lemaire@mairie-carcassonne.fr
Website: http://carcassonne.org
GPS coordinates: 43.21583,2.35139
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:03
This collection presents historical sites across France that lie away from the usual tourist routes. From medieval fortifications to Roman structures, these locations provide direct access to different periods of French history. The selection includes fortified towers, amphitheatres, Celtic temples and prehistoric sites. The sites featured include Roman theatres such as the one in Orange, medieval castles in Auvergne, Gallo-Roman temples in the Pyrenees and Palaeolithic caves in the Dordogne. Each location documents specific aspects of the past, whether through architectural remains, cave paintings or archaeological finds. These sites allow visitors to explore French history from prehistory through the Roman occupation to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The locations are spread across different regions and are often less crowded than the well-known monuments, allowing for quieter visits.
French medieval locations feature architecture from the 11th to 15th centuries. Fortified walls, castles, churches and stone-paved streets define the historical urban structure. Residents maintain traditional crafts, regional cuisine and local customs. Many of these UNESCO heritage sites document important periods of French history.
The Tour de France 2025 will be the 112th edition of the well-known cycling race, taking place from July 5 to July 27, 2025. This men's road cycling competition is one of the three most prestigious tours of the season. Here you will find the starting and finishing cities of the event!
Cité de Carcassonne
1.5 km
Château comtal de Carcassonne
1.4 km
Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse
1.5 km
Carcassonne Cathedral
557 m
Château de Pennautier
4.1 km
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne
466 m
Théâtre Jean-Deschamps
1.5 km
Église Saint-Gimer de Carcassonne
1.3 km
Église Saint-Vincent de Carcassonne
126 m
Parc Australien
4.5 km
Pont-Vieux
878 m
Théâtre Jean Deschamps
1.5 km
Musée de l'inquisition
1.4 km
Fresquel Aqueduct
3 km
Centre Joë Bousquet et son temps
369 m
Temple de Carcassonne
379 m
Tour de Cazaban
4.2 km
Plage
6.5 km
Prefecture hotel of Aude
202 m
Écluse double de Fresquel
3.1 km
Écluse de Lalande
5.9 km
Épanchoir de Foucaud
2.9 km
Écluse de Carcassonne
176 m
Écluse d'Herminis
5.6 km
Musée de l'école de Carcassonne
1.6 km
Porte Narbonnaise
1.5 km
Écluse de l'Évêque
5.5 km
Écluse de Saint-Jean
2.7 kmReviews
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