The Walled City of Carcassonne

Travel into into the heart of the Languedoc. Perched on a hill on the Aude plain and surrounded by vineyards, with the snow-capped Pyrennes rising in the distance, Carcassonne appears like something out of a fairytale. Three kilometers of ramparts – with 52 towers – surround a hilltop. Known as La Cite, the old town was built – and rebuilt – between the 4th and 13th centuries, incorporating the ruins of Roman and Visigoth fortresses. By the mid-19th century, La Cite was derelict, all but abandoned, and slated for demolition. The town mayor spearheaded a campaign to save this medieval legacy. More than a century later, in 1997, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk the cobblestone streets, your guide will offer an hour-long introduction to Carcassonne’s fascinating and complex religious, military, commercial and trade history. Sights include the Gothic Basilique Saint Nazaire, famed for its stained glass windows, the Inquisition Tower, and the count’s castle. You’ll then have about 2.5 hours for independent exploration and lunch on your own. You may opt to cross the pedestrian-only “old” bridge to Bastide Saint Louis, Carcassonne’s original lower town established on the left bank of the Aude. This charming neighborhood centers around the lively Place Carnot from which streets fan out along a tidy grid according to a 14th-century design. Here you’ll find an architectural heritage distinct from la Cite, with structures like the city cathedral, stately mansions and a stretch of the Canal du Midi, a feat of 17th-century engineering.