Count's Castle in Carcassone Citadel (Chateau Comtal) Tours
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Crowning the hilltop cité (citadel) of Carcassonne—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the imposing Château Comtal dates back to the 12th century, although the site’s historic roots stretch back as far as Roman times. A classic medieval castle, with fairy-tale towers and dramatic ramparts, the restored château is now open to the public as a museum.
The Basics
Visitors to Château Comtal can explore on a guided or self-guided tour, learn more about the history of the cité and the counts of Carcassonne, and admire exhibitions of medieval art and artifacts. The highlight of a visit is the chance to walk the ramparts, which run for 1.9 miles (3 kilometers), including four city gates and 52 towers, affording views over the citadel below.
A walking tour of the cité of Carcassonne is a popular way to explore the medieval citadel, and booking skip-the-line tickets to the château is highly recommended, especially in peak season. Half-day tours to the cité of Carcassonne run from nearby Toulouse, while full-day tours often combine a visit with other regional attractions, such as the Chateaux de Lastours castles or the Canal du Midi, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
Château Comtal is part of the Cité de Carcassonne, located just southeast of the modern town of Carcassonne. To reach the cité, walk uphill for about 20 minutes or take a bus, taxi, or the Little Train (summer season only) to the entrance gates. The closest gate to the château, on the citadel’s western edge, is the Aude Gate, from which it’s a short walk to the entrance (inside the city walls).
When to Get There
Open daily all year round, the château can get extremely busy, especially in July and August—aim for an early morning visit to beat the crowds. The most atmospheric time to visit is on Bastille Day (July 14), when a fireworks display takes place over the medieval citadel. Budget travelers can make the most of reduced-price admission to the castle and ramparts for the last hour of the day (although you’ll have to hurry to fit it all in).
Exploring the Cité de Carcassonne
Sprawling on a hilltop overlooking the River Aude, the Cité de Carcassonne is a huge medieval citadel and one of the most-visited historic sites in France. After visiting the château and walking the ramparts, visitors can explore the citadel on a walking tour or take a horse-drawn-carriage ride around the tiltyard. Inside the towering city walls, highlights include the Saint-Nazaire Basilica, known for its magnificent stained-glass windows; the 20-century Theatre de la Cité; a museum of medieval torture instruments; and the impressive 13th-century Narbonnaise Gate.
The Basics
Visitors to Château Comtal can explore on a guided or self-guided tour, learn more about the history of the cité and the counts of Carcassonne, and admire exhibitions of medieval art and artifacts. The highlight of a visit is the chance to walk the ramparts, which run for 1.9 miles (3 kilometers), including four city gates and 52 towers, affording views over the citadel below.
A walking tour of the cité of Carcassonne is a popular way to explore the medieval citadel, and booking skip-the-line tickets to the château is highly recommended, especially in peak season. Half-day tours to the cité of Carcassonne run from nearby Toulouse, while full-day tours often combine a visit with other regional attractions, such as the Chateaux de Lastours castles or the Canal du Midi, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Admission tickets to Château Comtal include access to the ramparts; entrance to the citadel itself is free.
- Plan at least two hours to visit the castle and walk the ramparts.
- Some of the best views of the castle and citadel are from afar—head into the modern town of Carcassonne and look up at the hilltop citadel from the banks of the River Aude.
- Audio guides are available in multiple languages, including English.
- There are several restrooms, shops, and restaurants in the citadel, as well as a visitor information office, an ATM, and paid parking outside the city gates.
- Some areas of the château and citadel are wheelchair-accessible, but steps and steep cobblestone lanes render some areas off-limits.
How to Get There
Château Comtal is part of the Cité de Carcassonne, located just southeast of the modern town of Carcassonne. To reach the cité, walk uphill for about 20 minutes or take a bus, taxi, or the Little Train (summer season only) to the entrance gates. The closest gate to the château, on the citadel’s western edge, is the Aude Gate, from which it’s a short walk to the entrance (inside the city walls).
When to Get There
Open daily all year round, the château can get extremely busy, especially in July and August—aim for an early morning visit to beat the crowds. The most atmospheric time to visit is on Bastille Day (July 14), when a fireworks display takes place over the medieval citadel. Budget travelers can make the most of reduced-price admission to the castle and ramparts for the last hour of the day (although you’ll have to hurry to fit it all in).
Exploring the Cité de Carcassonne
Sprawling on a hilltop overlooking the River Aude, the Cité de Carcassonne is a huge medieval citadel and one of the most-visited historic sites in France. After visiting the château and walking the ramparts, visitors can explore the citadel on a walking tour or take a horse-drawn-carriage ride around the tiltyard. Inside the towering city walls, highlights include the Saint-Nazaire Basilica, known for its magnificent stained-glass windows; the 20-century Theatre de la Cité; a museum of medieval torture instruments; and the impressive 13th-century Narbonnaise Gate.
Address: Carcassonne 11000, France
Admission: Varies
1 Tours and Activities to Experience Count's Castle in Carcassone Citadel (Chateau Comtal)
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Private 4-hour City Tour of Carcassonne with driver/guide and Hotel pick-up
In this private tour, we will pick you up from your hotel or place of choice. This is a stress free experience and your driver/guide will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby to start this private tour in a private luxury vehicle.
Here is a suggested itinerary of what you will visit in Carcassonne for this private tour:
La Cité de Carcassonne
Château Comtal and Ramparts
Basilique of Saints Nazarius and Celsus
The Lower city of Carcassonne
The Carcassonne Cathedral
Lac de la Cavayère
View of Musée des Beaux - Arts
Châteaux de Lastours
View of Canal du Midi
Optional visit to the school museum. This is a museum that shows how school was in France in the early 1900s.
View of the inquisition museum
Caunes-Minervois
Your driver/guide will be at your disposition throughout the 4 hour tour and you will get to know everything that Carcassonne has to offer. Although it is a small city, the history and stories it holds is worth while enjoying.
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From
$321.14
Price varies by group size
From
$321.14
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff