Carcassonne: Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket
ID: GYG75012-105619
Category:
Country: France
Description
Discover the Château and ramparts of Carcassonne. Walk along the galleries, the fortified walls, and the ramparts. Explore the archaeological museum with your self-guided ticket.
Carcassonne was settled as early as the 6th century BC and later became an important Roman town. It was fortified in the 4th century and was a strategic site in the Middle Ages. It took on its definitive shape in the 13th century with the king’s decision to construct the distinctive double-walled ramparts and extend the castle. The city was restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century and is a testimony to 1,000 years of military architecture and 2,500 years of history.
Left in ruins after the the Cathar Crusade (1209-1229), the Inquisition and exile of the Trencavel family, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was commissioned by the French state in 1844 to restore the city of Cathar. Completed in 1911 under the direction of his pupil Paul Boeswillwald, the royal city was returned to its original splendor, finally being inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1997.
In a new, self-guided addition to this tour, guests are invited to see the magnificent views from the medieval western ramparts.
Highlights
- Discover the home of one of the most powerful 12-century French families
- Climb the square Bishop's Tower, the only construction that straddles both city walls
- See the Salle Pierre Embry, a window composed of 3 polychrome alabaster statues from the early 15th century
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Opening hours: Apr 1st to Sep 30th: 10h-18h15 (Last access to château: 17h; Last access to ramparts: 17h45) - Oct 1st to Mar 31st: 9h30-16h45(Last entrance to château: 3:45 pm; Last access to ramparts: 4:15 pm)
• Closed January 1st, May 1st and December 25th
• The Ramparts will be closed on July 14 due to fireworks
• This attraction closes at 4:00 PM on December 24th and 31st
• 2 floors visited during the tour
• Monument is accessible to people with limited mobility (Barbican and main courtyard)
• Admission is free for those under 18 and visitors under 26 with EU ID(booking a time slot on the Carcassonne website) upon presentation of a photo ID with a picture at the ticketing station first before going to the entrance of the monument
• A late-entry ticket is available on the spot at a special rate
• Free entrance: The first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December and during European Heritage Days (3rd weekend of September each year)
Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne
1, rue Viollet-le-Duc
11000 Carcassonne.
Please note that this attraction closes at 4:00 PM on 24th December and 31st December.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
