Cité de Carcassonne: Sights without a ticket – Admission prices 2024

  • Which sights in Carcassonne cost admission?
  • Which sights in the Cité de Carcassonne can I visit without a ticket?

These questions are answered in this travel guide. You will also find lots of information, pictures and practical tips for discovering Carcassonne.

Contents

Carcassonne is divided into two parts:

The city centre outside the fortress, known as the Ville Basse, and the inner fortress, known as the Cité Médiévale.

Cité Médiévale – medieval quarter

There are numerous sights to discover in the Cité Médiévale. Some require a ticket, others are free to enter:

#1 Château Comtal – Carcassonne’s most important sight

The Comtal Castle, which was built in the 12th century, is the centrepiece of the Cité de Carcassonne. Visitors can explore the castle’s towers, battlements and interiors, which offer an insight into medieval life.

There is an entrance fee for the castle.

Our tip: avoid queues with an online ticket

Chomtal Castle is the heart of the Cité of Carcassonne. There is a lot to see and discover here.
This is why there can be long queues at the ticket counter, even in the low season.

Tip:

With an online ticket, you can bypass the queue at the ticket office and go straight into the castle.

⇒ Link: Booking portal for online tickets (click here)

Entrance on the left: With an online ticket you can go straight into the castle. — Right: The queue for the ticket counter – from here the waiting time is approx. 25 minutes.

Admission prices 2024:

Standard ticket adults: €11

Children and young people up to 18 years: free of charge

EU citizens up to 26 years: free of charge

More information in this travel guide:

⇒ Château Comtal: Tickets, prices 2024 Queues – Is it worth a visit?

#2 Basilica of Saint-Nazaire

The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne is an impressive historical building that allows visitors to experience its rich history and impressive architecture. The basilica, which was originally built in the 11th century, combines Romanesque and Gothic style elements and is home to numerous art treasures.
Admission to the basilica is free.

Historical background

The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire was built in the 11th century and was originally a cathedral. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it was extended in the Gothic style. The basilica plays an important role in the history of Carcassonne and is now part of the Cité of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What can visitors see?

Visitors can discover the architecture of the basilica, which combines Romanesque and Gothic elements. The magnificent stained glass windows from the 13th and 14th centuries, which are among the oldest in the south of France, are particularly worth seeing. These windows tell biblical stories and shine in vibrant colours.

Experiences

Upon entering the basilica, visitors are greeted by a calm and reverent atmosphere. Concerts and cultural events are often organised here to enhance the experience.

#3 City walls and towers

A walk along the ramparts and towers of the Cité de Carcassonne offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area and is a must for every visitor.
A walk along the ramparts is free of charge.

The 3 km long double wall with its 52 towers offers numerous impressive views.

#4 Porte Narbonnaise and Porte d’Aude

These two imposing city gates are the main entrances to the Cité de Carcassonne and are impressive examples of medieval architecture.
Access to the city gates is free of charge.

Tickets are required to visit the Château Comtal, the centrepiece of the Cité de Carcassonne.

At the city gates, you can admire the sophisticated defence technology of the Middle Ages at close quarters.

Porte d’Aude city gate (formerly Porte de Toulouse): Here you get the impression that it might have looked like this in the Middle Ages.

City map & Sights

More information about the Cité de Carcassonne in this travel guide

FAQ 2024

Château Comtal – the most important attraction in Carcassonne

The Comtal Castle, which was built in the 12th century, is the centrepiece of the Cité de Carcassonne. Visitors can explore the castle’s towers, battlements and interiors, which offer an insight into medieval life.

There is an entrance fee for the castle. Tickets are relatively inexpensive.

Tip: With an online ticket, you can avoid the queues at the ticket counter.

More information, ticket prices 2024, pictures and tips on the sights of Carcassonne in our travel guide

Carcassonne is divided into two parts: the city centre outside the fortress, known as the Ville Basse, and the inner fortress, known as the Cité Médiévale.

Some sights can be visited free of charge: Saint-Nazaire Basilica, ramparts and towers, Porte Narbonnaise and Porte d’Aude

More information, pictures and tips about the sights of Carcassonne in our travel guide

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