CARCASSONNE FAQ`S
Carcassonne is divided into two sections by the river Aude. The two sections of the city are only a short walk apart, across the medieval Pont Vieux. On the east bank stands the medieval city, and on the right the Bastide St Louis, 13th-century in origin, but now overflowing beyond the boulevards that mark the location of its ancient city walls. On the north west side of the city is the Canal du Midi, the waterway that links France`s Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts and provides attractive canal-side strolls.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?Airport: No international airport near Carcassonne.
Carcassonne`s airport is 2 miles west of the city and has flights from destinations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, and Portugal.
A shuttle bus runs between the airport and Carcassone town center (SNCF railways station). Some shuttle buses also stop at the Cité. From the airport, a connecting bus (00 33 4 68 47 82 22) leaves about 20 minutes after each flight arrives. The route goes through the medieval city, then makes a tour of the Bastide St Louis, ending at the railway station. The cost is about €5.
A taxi ride from Carcassonne Airport to the town center will cost around €10 - 15. A taxi from the airport to Cité costs around €15 - 20.
You can walk from the airport to the Bastide St Louis in about 40 minutes. The Cité is about 20 minutes further.
Railway Station Address: 1 bd Maréchal Joffre 11000 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a major stop for trains between Toulouse and destinations south and east. Trains arrive from Toulouse, Montpellier, and Marseilles, among other destinations.
Carcassonne railway station is the only railway station in the town of Carcassonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The railway station is located in the center of Carcassonne, near the Promenade du Canal. The fortified part of the city is about a 20 minute walk from the railway station. There are buses that make it easy to travel into the city center as well.
Taxis are available from outside the railway station. You can also book a taxi ahead by calling +33 4 68 71 50 50, which is the official hotline for booking all taxis in Carcassonne.
There is a taxi stand outside the railway station and at the Bd Omer Sarraut, one block down from the station. You can also book a taxi by phoning +33 4 68 71 50 50, which is the one single official hotline for booking all taxis in Carcassonne. For more information, visit the official website of the Association of Carcassonne Radio Taxis.
Is Carcassonne a walking city?Walking is the best way to get around the city and to truly experience the city. The main tourist sights in Carcassonne are situated within an easy walking distance of each other. You can choose to walk the Cité on your own without paying entrance for most of the medieval city. You only have to pay to visit the area of the Château Comtal (around €10).
Nearly 3 million tourists visit the Cité of Carcassonne every year so it can get very busy in this little town. Peak season is June to August.
Buses to Carcassonne are mainly a local service. There is a Network of 11 bus routes serving the city and surrounding areas.
There is also a light rail for the city of Carcasonne, called the Carcassonne-Limoux-Quillan Train that can get you many places quite cheaply around the city. The tourist focused `LePetit Train` takes you around the outside of the Cite walls, and through the small, ancient village of Carcassonne, just outside it`s gates, it slowly moves it`s way round, giving some great views of the Fortress.
Finding parking in Carcassonne can be a challenge. Here there is a parking area in front of the main entrance to the city but you do have to pay. Here is a list of parking options around Carcassonne.
There are 3 parking areas by the medieval city:
Parking P1 - Chemin de Montlegun, 437 yards from the Medieval City on the side of Narbonnaise gate entrance.
Parking P0 - Cars + Disability vehicles (12 spaces) + Hotel guest parking – on the side of the Narbonnaise gate entrance. (If you are staying in the Medieval city you should contact your hotel directly to find out what parking is available and the terms and conditions.)
Parking P2 - Rue Dujardin Beaumetz, on the side of the Audegate entrance.
Thereare 3 parking areas by the Bastied St Louis:
Parking P3 Gambetta: 403 spaces.- Tel : +33 (0) 4 68 71 34 11
Parking P4 André Chénier: 340 spaces. - Tel : +33 (0) 4 68 72 30 10
Parking P5 Jacobins: 211 spaces. - Tel : +33 (0)4 68 47 64 83
Free Parking:
Dôme Parking
Quai Bellevue
80 spaces in front of the le Bastion school (Bd de Varsovie)
120 spaces at the corner of Bd Barbès/Bd Marcou
In Carcassonne you can cycle along the Canal Midi that offers trails both ways (east/west) among other more rural options and paths around the city. There are several bike rental locations that can found throughout the city.
Is Carcassonne a dangerous city?Carcassonne is a safe city to visit, with a fairly low rate of violent crime directed at tourists. The most common problem in the region is theft from cars and from luggage trolleys at the major transportation hubs, such as the railway stations. Purse snatchings in transportation hubs are also a common problem.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency of Carcassonne is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.
We recommend that you exchange a small amount of cash prior to your trip, enough for a cab ride or basic spending on arrival. ATMs are common in major cities and larger towns and this is one of the easiest ways to get cash. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments. It is a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, otherwise, the credit card might be put on hold due to unusual activity. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.
For information about tipping visit:
Tipping in France
Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.
What is the weather like?
July is the hottest month in Carcassonne with an average temperature of 73°F and the coldest is January at 43°F with the most daily sunshine hours at 10 in August. The wettest month is January. French is the official language spoken in Carcassonne. However, you will find the staff at most tourism-related venues (hotels, restaurants) speak some English. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10. The Aude region offers an incredible variety of wines to be accompanied by special traditional dishes. Traditional local food is usually heavy, such as the Cassoulet, the famous specialty - a mixture of beans, sausage and duck. Foie gras is also a specialty of the region, so expect it to be on many menus. There are several excellent restaurants within the Cité walls (budget permitting), with great views all around. Those who love Mediterranean food will be delighted with the offerings in the area to fulfill their appetite. Expect great food! Carcassonne has two distinct shopping areas. In the modern lower city, boutiques can be found along rue de Verdun as well in other streets such as rue Albert Tomey and rue de la Liberté. There are some nice boutiques that are a good source for take-home treats and self-indulgent souvenirs. They are all concentrated in the grid-system of streets leading off from Place Carnot. Festival de Carcassonne (tel. 04-68-11-59-15; www.festivaldecarcassonne.com)in July - concerts, modern and classical dance, operas, and theater fill the city. Out of the 120 or so concerts, around 80 of them are free. Emergency dial 112
As Carcassonne can get quite touristy during the summer season, restaurants can become crowded and the prices charged can be over the top. You may therefore wish to eat away from the Cité, perhaps in the town center, instead or one of the enchanting villages away from Carcassonne.
The main market is in place Carnot on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings. In the walled medieval city, the streets are packed with stores and boutiques; most sell gift items such as antiques and local arts and crafts.
Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services.
Bastille Day, on July 14 is France`s second-largest fireworks display (after Paris`s) lights up the skies over La Cité in a dramatic spectacle that looks as if the fortress is in flames.
The Magic of Christmas - Early December to early January from the Bastide St Louis to the Medieval City Carcassonne hosts exciting attractions, concerts, street entertainment and magical decorations and lights. Ice-rink, Christmas market, giant revolving eye, toboggans and roundabouts, as well as a host of live shows.
Hospital Center De Carcassonne, 1060 Chemin de la Madeleine, +33 4 68 24 24 24