| Planning a short break to Carcassonne? Check out Travel Library's recommended Top 10 Things To Do in Carcassonne. It's a perfect companion for weekend city breaks to Carcassonne. Once you've been you can add your own tips and suggestions to help other visitors. |
| Top 10 Things in Carcassonne on a Short Break |
|
 Basilique St-Nazaire - Cutural Attraction |
La Cite. This cathedral dates back to the 11th to the 14th centuries and has beautiful stained-glass windows and a pair of rose medallions. The architecture of the cathedral is made up of different styles, with the nave being in Romanesque style and the choir and transept are Gothic.
The organ is one of the oldest in France, and dates from the 16th century.
The cathedral is open everyday in July and August from 09h00 - 19h00; and off season from 09h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 17h00. Admission is free. |
|
 Musee des Memoires du Moyen Age - Cutural Attraction |
| Immeuble du Pont-Levis, Chemin des Anglais. This museum is located within the stone bulwarks that once contained the drawbridge. The museum displays the traumatic battles; sieges; and feuds that marked life in Carcassonne during the Middle Ages. There is a video about the last thousand years of life in the town, as well as that show the values and lifestyles of long ago. The museum is open mid-June to mid-September everyday from 10h00 - 20h00; and mid-September to mid-June everyday from 10h00 - 18h00. Admission is $4.60 for adults and $3.70 for children and students. |
|
 Cite - Hotel |
Place de l'Eglise. This hotel, housed in what used to be a palace for bishops, has been one of the most popular in Carcassonne since 1909. The hotel is set up to resemble the castle's medieval past, with stylish antiques or reproductions. There are a range of facilities on offer at the hotel, including three restaurants; a bar; an outdoor pool; room service; and laundry services. The rooms open onto the ramparts and a garden, and have TV; telephone; hair dryer; minibar; and a full bathroom.
For more information visit the hotel's website: www.hoteldelacite.com/web/ocar/ocar_a1a_splash.jsp |
|
 La Maison du Chevalier - Cutural Attraction |
| 56 rue Trivalle. This is the best commercial art gallery in Aude, and is located on the right side of the road on the way up to the Cite. The gallery houses exhibitions of excellent contemporary paintings; sculptures; and photography in a spacious and well lit gallery, which covers two floors. The art gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 18h00. Admission is $4.80 for adults; $2.80 for children and students; and children under 4 are free. |
|
 Musee des Beaux-Arts - Cutural Attraction |
| 1 rue de Verdun. The Museum houses 102 paintings that are hung in chronological order. The museum is is not to be missed when in town, as it has some of the most interesting paintings of well known artists, including Chardin and Corot. The museum has many interesting exhibitions for the whole family to see. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 18h00. Admission is free. |
|
 Le Languedoc - Restaurant or Cafe |
| 32 allee d'Iena. This is the top restaurant in Carcassonne, with a high-ceilinged century-old dining room, filled with antiques and a brick fireplace. Master chef, Didier Faugeras, serves up some of the best traditional French cuisine, sepcialities include cassoulet au confit de canard and piece de resistance. This is the place to go if you want try some of the most delicious local dishes. The restaurant is open September to June Tuesday to Sunday from 12h00 - 14h00 and Tuesday to Saturday from 19h30 - 21h30; and July to August daily from 12h00 - 13h30 and Monday to Saturday from 19h30 - 21h00. |
|
 Chateau Comtal - Tourist Attraction |
| place du Chateau, rue Cros Mayrevielle. This restored 12th century castle is located on the highest part of the Cite. Entrance includes a 50 minute tour of the fortress, the tour includes access to expositions that display the archaeological remnants discovered on-site; access to an explanation of the 19th century restorations; and access to the city's inner ramparts. The Chateau Comtal is open June to September daily from 09h30 - 19h30; and October to May daily from 09h30 - 18h00. Admission is $7.20 for adults; $4.80 for students and people between 18 and 25; and free for children under 18. |
|
 Moto Liberte 11 - Children’s Activity |
| RD 118, 11600 Conques-sur-Orbiel. This is a great place for children of all ages to have fun. This centre for moto-cross for children from 6 years old has 12 beginners circuits. The children must have high shoes or boots; thick gloves; as well as knee protectors. Moto Liberte is a non-profit association whose aim is educating children in rules and safety. The centre is open on Wednesdays for the 6-12 year olds; and on Saturday afternoons for the 12-15 year olds. |
|
 Hotel Montsegur - Hotel |
27 Allee d'Iena, in Ville-Basse. This is one of the most popular hotels in Carcassonne, and is housed in a stately town house, which was built in 1887 and has a mansard roof and dormers; and a beautiful garden. This one of the more affordable stylish and luxurious hotels in town. The hotel offers a range of services, including a restaurant; a bar; 24 hour room service; and laundry services. The comfortable rooms all have a TV; telephone; hair dryer; and a full bathroom.
For more information visit: www.hotelmontsegur.com |
|
 Dinosauria - Children’s Activity |
Located in Esperaza, just a short drive from Carcassonne. This is the only museum in Europe exclusively exhibiting dinosaurs, with 35 different species on display
The palaeontology workshop introduces 6-12 years olds to archaeological digging and skeleton reconstruction. 5 mins away from Dinosauria, the largest archaeological digging area in Europe is open to the public for guided tours.
The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 13h30 - 17h00; Sunday 11h00 - 17h00. Admission is $6 for adults and $4.40 for children.
For more information visit: www.dinosauria.org |
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