24 hours in beautiful Carcassonne
The South of France is a star getaway during spring and the beautiful carcassonne It cannot be missing from the list of must-sees in the area, one of our favorite cities.
The reasons are plenty. The visit is the most complete and in fact Carcassonne does not have a UNESCO World Heritage Site but two: its Medieval Citadel and the idyllic Canal du Midi.
We especially like its Citadel, located in the upper part of a walled city. We are not exaggerating if we tell you that it looks like the perfect setting for a fairy tale, troubadours and medieval maidens.
And in fact, there are those who say that his castle inspired the creation of Sleeping Beauty at DisneyWorld.
There are those who say that his castle inspired that of Sleeping Beauty
Although there are still no flights to reach Carcassonne from Spain, don't panic. This city is very close to the border and You can get here in many ways, both by train and by car.
If we choose this second option, we can access from Andorra or do it through the Mediterranean coast entering the interior after passing Perpignan.
Once we reach Carcassonne, we will have many things to see, but in 24 hours well spent, we will be able to know at least all its essentials. Can you come with us?
Entrance to the Citadel of Carcassonne
THE OLD BRIDGE
The old bridge is one of the mandatory stops in Carcassonne, especially because from here we will cross from the lower part of the city (the bastide of San Luis), to the medieval Citadel (La Cité).
Actually, everything is said, the old bridge is not the only one in the city to make this tour, but the classic is still preferred by all.
Especially, because from here you have one of the best views of the Citadel, especially at night when it is illuminated and seems completely unreal.
In the surroundings of the bridge we will find several car parks to leave the car and go into the old part to start walking its pedestrian streets.
We recommend you visit this part of the city in the morning when there are fewer tourists. The rest of the day, although you don't visit elbows, the alleys are small and many of us are curious who are distracted with the camera.
24 hours in beautiful Carcassonne
THE CITADEL
once we entered in the Medieval City, the flavor of the past is felt from the first moment as if we were part of a movie set. Carcassonne was restored in the 19th century, but has not lost its grandeur at all.
On some occasions, it is even surprising to find things in such good condition that they have been in the same place for thousands of years, although some purists have complained that during the renovation of the city some changes were made.
For example, the pointed aspect of the towers did not exist before and for some specialists it gives it a certain air of a theme park, although for many others, it is still an enchanting place.
The Citadel will hardly stop surprising us: It has 52 towers, almost three kilometers of caramel-colored walls. Its imposing castle is now used as an information office, from which guided tours can be booked.
The Medieval Citadel, a journey back in time
found here too a museum of objects excavated over the years which allows you to get to know its former residents a little better.
Visit the basilica of Saints Nazaire et Celse It is also another of the essential stops in the Citadel, a Romanesque-Gothic basilica that is simply spectacular.
In the past it was the cathedral of Carcassonne, until 1803, when it lost this title to give it to the Church of Saint-Michel, located in the lower part of the city.
The traditional fruit and vegetable market is held in Place Carnot
THE LOWER PART
Over time, several shops and restaurants have opened in the Citadel. Nevertheless, at lunchtime, it is always preferable to go to the lower part of the city, where the residents of Carcassonne actually live.
Because as in any other city in France, one of the best things to do in Carcassonne is to eat.
This part of the city is laid out in the form of a grid and organized around the carnot square, the central square, where it is celebrated a traditional fruit and vegetable market several days a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings) .
The Place Carnot is the central square of the city
When you take a look at restaurant menus, make sure they serve its star stew, the Cassoulet.
this dish is a kind of stew of duck prepared in a clay pot over low heat. It is so popular that it even has its own route throughout the region. Of course, there are no the assortments of cheeses and the crêpes.
Do not miss the star stew: the Cassoulet
THE DU MIDI CHANNEL
Once we have a full stomach, we can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than on the beautiful Canal du Midi, one of the most beautiful and oldest in Europe and the quintessential image of the south of France.
The popularity of the channel is not for less. In the past, its activity was essential for the inhabitants of Carcassonne. It was built in the 17th century to link the Garonne River with the Mediterranean Sea, becoming the only way of the time to transport goods, mail and passengers.
However, today the channel's activity is mainly oriented towards tourism and they have been able to manage it perfectly. A simple walk around its surroundings is ideal for end the day in Carcassonne with a flourish.
Our advice is sit on the banks of the canal with a picnic and watch the evening fall in the most romantic way before taking the car to return to Spain.
The Canal du Midi, one of the most beautiful and oldest in Europe