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The Cité is still inhabited today. 52 towers and 2 concentric enclosures add up to a total of 3 km of ramparts. Visitors can discover at no charge (except for the Castle) a major section of the Cité: the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, the lists, the ramparts, the Porte Narbonnaise and Porte d'Aude, and life inside the walls.

St Nazarius' Basilica

The first authentic document mentioning this church dates back to 925. In 1096, Pope Urban the Second came to Carcassonne and blessed the stones of the Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire et Saint Celse. The edifice was completed in the first half of the 12th century. After being remodeled several times, the building lost its cathedral status in 1801 to the benefit of the Church of Saint-Michel located in the Bastide. In 1898 it was granted the title of Basilica by Pope Leo XIII.

Translated from Claude MARQUIE's Le patrimoine des communes de la Méridienne verte – Published by Edition Flohic

The Castle

The ultimate defence, it was built in the 12th century by the Trencavels, Vicomtes de Carcassonne. As it was modified time and time again throughout the following centuries, it is difficult today to get an exact picture of what used to be the home of these powerful feudal lords.

Narbonnaise Gate

The Narbonnaise Gate is the most impressive assembly remaining from this period: the two huge towers are shaped like a spike. Entry was barred with a chain. There was a double lock consisting of murder-holes and a portcullis.

Aude Gate

At the bottom of the escarpment of the Cité, a wall defended the borough on the banks of the Aude. This wall dates back to the 13th century. It prevented the ennemy from keeping between the Aude and the Cité as it lay within a stone's throw from the towers.

Théâtre de la Cité

A landmark in the Cité's Festival, the theatre is also a monument laden with History.

Jousting Ground

This space located between the 2 walls and closely following the hill slope, was levelled in the 13th century as the 2nd wall was being built (access through the lists). Walking through it, you can mentally span twenty centuries of history and assess the various characters of military architecture.

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Site Officiel de l'Office de Tourisme et de la ville de Carcassonne - www.carcassonne.org