Admission is free to the La Cite Citadel with the only exception being the Viscount’s Castle, 11-13th century. There were busloads of teenagers (probably on school outings) along with other tourists at this fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site who had arrived at the same time as we. However, this site is always busy – off season, or not. La Cite still has a population of approximately 120 people who live within these walls along with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, creperies, ice cream, and patisseries galore.

It was across the moat along with the other tourists, to walk the medieval streets, stopping constantly to take photographs, turn the camcorder on and off and/or just to stop and stare at the different towers, walls, medieval houses with sensory overload. There aren’t that many streets but one and all were packed with sights (or restaurants…had to inspect all the menus). My feet felt as if they had walked every bit of the 3 kms/1.85 miles over the cobblestone streets just inside the Citadel by the end of the day.

Citadel Carcassonne map, France
There was the important Basilica Church of St. Nazarius and St. Celsus…View image…, first mentioned in 925 AD and blessed by Pope Urban II in 1096. Originally built in Romanesque style, it was replaced by Gothic. The stained glass windows, 13-14th century are considered the most impressive…View image… in the south of France and there are tombs and chapels dating from 1218. …View image…

Church of St. Nazarius and St. Celsus in Carcassonne, France
The Tour de l’Inquisition was the seat of the Inquisitor’s high court with only a central pillar, chains and a cell left to bear witness to tortures. If that didn’t do it for you, there were at least two different “Torture Museums” where you could pay to visit cells and ancient instruments used for torture.

Another interesting spot is Place du Grand Puits where the oldest well in the walled city (out of a total of 22 wells and 4 water tanks) is said to date from Roman times. The well has columns and wrought ironwork in Renaissance style (in the video). There is a legend surrounding this well that treasure from the Temple of Solomon was hidden here by the Visigoths but no one has ever found any.

typical Carcassonne, France street
The Tour de la Justice was the only tower that we saw with tilting wooden shutters and once we read why in the Green Michelin guide, the story became more fascinating. These tilting wooden shutters allowed those inside the tower to see, and drop things on anybody trying to attack the walls without being seen. How clever is that!

the Tour de la Justice, Carcassonne, France
Carcassonne makes a great day trip, or spend several days inside this amazing Cite, and I’m sure you now understand why it draws visitors from every country. The big time to visit is in July, when there is a huge festival celebrating opera, music, theater and dance along with a giant fireworks display on July 14th, Bastille Day.

There was one charming square (actually, they were all charming…) that had a class of schoolchildren sketching Chez Saskia’s medieval house. They were so cute and so intent on their artwork. …View image…

schoolchildren sketching one of Carcassonne’s medieval houses, France
Still not done…