Guided tour of Carcassonne Citadel: 2,600 years of history

Walk the fortress walls and hear two millennia of Cathars, kings and medieval stone

A guided tour of Carcassonne's Citadel lasting one to two hours, led by a live guide in English, Spanish or French. You walk the famous alleyways and defensive walls of the ancient fortress, see the county castle from outside, and visit the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse with its stained glass windows. Entry to the castle interior is optional and costs 9 euros per person if you choose it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Carcassonne Citadel

• Discover county castle exterior
• Explore defensive system and walls
• Tour the castle walls
• Visit Basilica St-Nazaire and St-Celse
• Admire stained glass windows

The experience

One to two hours on foot through the Citadel means you cover the outer walls, the defensive system that has stood for 2,600 years, and the medieval alleyways that wind through this ancient fortress. Your guide walks you through the layout of the military complex and explains how the architecture was built to withstand siege. The mysterious Cathars and their role in the region's history come up, along with anecdotes from the medieval period that bring the stones into focus.

The tour ends at the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse, where you see the stained glass windows up close. If you want to go inside the county castle itself, you can buy a ticket on the spot for 9 euros per person. The tour covers the exterior and the walls whether or not you enter. Public transportation stops nearby, so getting to the starting point is straightforward.

What’s included

• Visit of the Citadel's exterior walls and defensive system.
• the county castle viewed from outside.
• the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse with its stained glass windows.
• live guide commentary on 2,600 years of history, the Cathars and medieval architecture.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Anna Philippe

Is this one for you?You'll walk with other travelers at a moderate pace through the fortress alleyways and defensive walls, hearing 2600 years of history and medieval anecdotes. Choose this if you want a guide's storytelling rather than exploring independently.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What exactly do I see on the walk around Carcassonne's walls?

The Citadel's defensive walls, the county castle exterior, and the alleyways that run through the fortress. The tour also includes the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse, where the stained glass is the main draw inside the church.

Can I go inside the castle, or do I only see it from outside?

The tour covers the castle exterior and the walls. Entry to the castle interior costs 9 euros per person and is optional. You can buy a ticket during the tour if you want to go in.

How long does the tour take?

One to two hours on foot, depending on how much time you spend at each stop and how many questions come up during the walk.