We spent much of the day exploring the old city.
La cité de Carcassonne is a 2,500-year-old hilltop city.
It's a history lesson told in cobblestones and defense—turrets, towers, walls. It is also a great way to spend a day wandering a labyrinth of paths and streets, descending claustrophobia-inducing winding stairs, and walking narrow ramparts.
The city has few permanent residents, most of whom I imagine work in the tourist trade.
There are a couple of hotels and a collection of restaurants and tourist stores.
I imagine the old city might be insufferably crowded in high season, but as you can see in the photos it was sparsely populated in mid October.
For more on the city check out the official website or, better yet, go to the
Wikipedia writeup on its history and restoration.
Narbonne gate, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Narbonne gate, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Narbonne gate, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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St. Nazaire church, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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St. Nazaire church, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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St. Nazaire church, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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St. Nazaire church, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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St. Nazaire church, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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St. Nazaire church, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Chateau Comtal, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Chateau Comtal, Cité de Carcassonne
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Chateau Comtal, Cité de Carcassonne
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Chateau Comtal, Cité de Carcassonne
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Chateau Comtal, Cité de Carcassonne
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Chateau Comtal, Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Castle entrance, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Castle entrance, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Castle entrance, Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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Cité de Carcassonne
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