GPS Self‑Guided Tour of the Medieval City of Carcassonne

Immerse yourself in the history of Carcassonne, the best-preserved medieval town in France. Discover the points of interest, very or little known, in the area. The suggested experience starts with the Ville basse and goes back up towards the fortified city. 

EXPLORE

The interactive map of BaladoDiscovery allows you to locate the offered must-sees, as well as historical information about one of the most beautiful medieval fortresses in the world!

ON SITE 

Let yourself be guided and informed at your own pace. Allow at least 4 hours if you don't want to miss anything and take the time to enjoy an unforgettable visiting experience.

Using the mobile app BaladoDiscovery is recommended (rather than the website). All the content is accessible online (streaming) or offline (without Internet on site, smartphone in hand) with the Preload option in the app. An itinerary is suggested, and your location is displayed in real time during your walk.

SUGGESTED START

In the lower part of the city, in front of the Tourist Office, if you take the itinerary into account.

BACKGROUND

The site's history is even older than the Medieval City itself. One century before Christ, there used to be a Roman city! It became part of the Trencavel over one thousand years later, in 1082. 

The 13th century will considerably mark the City's physiognomy. It adorns itself with new fortifications, including the construction of the outer enclosure and the modernization of the interior rampart, making it one of the strategic strongholds facing the region of Aragon.

Roussillon was annexed to France starting in 1659, and the City of Carcassonne gradually deteriorated over the following centuries. It is abandoned in favor of the Ville Basse (or Bastide) which makes it possible to grow vineyards and to develop the cloth industry with the Canal du Midi. The City is in such a state of dilapidation that an 1850 order in council directs its partial destruction.

A lot of persuasion was needed to prevent the tragic end of the oldest part. We can thank Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille (the inspector of historic monuments behind the classification of the Saint Nazaire Basilica) and Prosper Mérimée (the general inspector of historic monuments) for their involvement in this regard. The restoration was entrusted to Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. 

Enjoy your visit!

CREDITS

A self-guided tour produced by Félix Privé (iHub Program - ECAIT)