The medieval fortified town of Carcassonne, located in the department of Aude, is built around two medieval cities, the original hill top Cité on the north side of the river Aude, and the 13th century Bastide on the south.
The older Cité is a spectacular walled town, the largest medieval town in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town has 52 towers and 2 rings of town walls making a total of 3km of battlements. The castle and ramparts were built in the 12th century, whilst the Basilica of Saint Nazaire Cathedral dates from the 11th and 14th century.
Beyond the Cité, in the Bastide area, the Canal du Midi winds its way round this part of the town providing pleasant walks and views. 175 miles long, the Canal was built in the 17th century and has now been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. The Bastide area is worth exploring, as here you will find the city’s Musée des Beaux Arts with its regional collection of fine art and the Place Carnot square where there are regular open-air markets and a number of bars and cafés. In both the Cité and the Bastide there are fantastic restaurants and bistros offering good local cuisine.
