Carcassonne

Carcassonne, France

Hilltop town in the south of France, Carcassonne lies at the crossing of two major routes: from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean coast and from the heart of France to Spain, both used since antiquity. The medieval fortified Cité is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No wonder Carcassone is home to a unique historical and cultural past. If you add the local traditional dishes, the hospitality of its inhabitants, and some of the best vineyards in the south of France, your stay holds promise of being a most memorable one.

Population:

49,600

Currency:

Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 112
Police: 17
Ambulance: 15
Fire Brigade: 18

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am-7 pm, but smaller shops may be closed at lunchtime from 12 pm-2 pm. Stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays, except for annual sales events.

Newspapers:

La Dépêche du Midi (www.ladepeche.fr)
Le Midi Libre (www.midilibre.fr)

The City

Carcassonne has been influenced by over 2,000 years of conquests, crusades, and the prosperous period of Catharism’s religion. Before its restoration, the Cité was an abandoned place in an outlying area in a town made wealthy by the wine trade and the clothes manufacturing industry.

Today, Carcassonne offers a unique historical and architectural asset. In the absence of any heavy industry, tourism is undoubtedly the city’s strength both because of its geographic position and its exceptional heritage. The medieval walled town, the “Cité,” lies on the right bank of river Aude, and is still home to a population of around 120, with a large number of shops and craftsmen. On the left bank, the modern city Bastide Saint Louis has kept its historical roots. You will be amazed by its outstanding variety of architectural styles, including buildings dating from the 14th to the 18th century, such as the Saint Michel Cathedral.

Do & See

The mix of modernity and historical wealth offer a very rich cultural life. Within a unique scenery and authenticity, the city has managed to provide all amenities for both tourists and business travellers. If you have time, the whole region has much more to show, like going on a “péniche” (or barge) on Canal du Midi or explore the huge vineyards. A closer look at the medieval fortress is of course something that should not be missed as well as the gothic-styled Saint-Michel Cathedral or why not see a concert outdoor at the Théâtre Jean Deschamps? You will for sure find plenty of exciting sites to explore when travelling to this historical and cultural city.

Dining

The Aude region offers an incredible variety of wines to be accompanied by special traditional dishes. Traditional local food is usually heavy, such as the Cassoulet, the famous specialty – a mixture of haricots and duck and pork. There are over fifty restaurants within the Cité walls, with great views all around. Those who love Mediterranean food will also find heaps of everything to fulfil their appetite. Expect great food!

Cafes

The coffee culture in France is pretty impressive, most people start their day with an espresso shot and finish their lunch with a coffee. They also indulge in various types of coffee during the day. Of course, Carcassonne is no exception and you can find a large number of brasseries and coffee shops spread out all over town.