Walking tour of Carcassonne's citadel: Remparts and Basilica

The Count's castle sits inside the citadel walls, not outside them.

A guided walking tour of Carcassonne's citadel covers the remparts, defensive systems and narrow medieval streets, with entry to the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse included. The tour lasts about 90 minutes. The Count's castle is an optional paid entrance (9 euros per person) if you want to step inside. Your guide speaks English, Spanish or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Carcassonne citadel

• Discover the remparts and defensive systems
• Learn about Carcassonne's history and Cathars
• See the count's castle exterior
• Enter Basilica of St-Nazaire and St-Celse

The experience

You arrive at Carcassonne's old fortress and walk straight into the narrow cobbled streets that wind through the citadel. The guide explains the remparts and the defensive systems built into the walls, then moves into the history of the place: the Cathars, the military architecture, the medieval period itself. The monumentality of the citadel becomes concrete as you stand in front of it rather than read about it from below.

The tour ends inside the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse, a Romanesque and Gothic building that closes out the 90 minutes. If you want to visit the Count's castle (the remarkable building that sits inside the citadel), you pay a separate 9-euro entrance fee and go in on your own time. It is not part of the guided route. Public transportation stops are nearby if you need to reach the starting point.

What’s included

• The guided tour with access to the remparts and the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse.
• a live guide in your chosen language explaining the citadel's history, military architecture and the Cathar period.

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.

Paid on site€ 19

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Anna Philippe

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon in Carcassonne and want the history and layout of the citadel explained by someone who knows it, rather than walking the streets on your own. Small groups keep the pace manageable and the guide's attention on the details.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What is the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse?

The Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse is a Romanesque and Gothic church inside the citadel where the tour concludes. You enter it as part of the guided walk and see the architecture and interior details the guide points out.

Can I visit the Count's castle during the tour?

The Count's castle is not included in the guided walk, but you can enter it on your own by paying 9 euros per person at the entrance. It sits inside the citadel, so you see it during the tour even if you do not go inside.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour lasts about 90 minutes and covers the remparts, the defensive systems, the narrow medieval streets and the Basilica.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour involves walking the cobbled streets and remparts of the citadel. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.