Carcassonne is located in the southwest of France. Is a well known fortified Medieval town part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The walled city is very old, founded by the Romans, and is the largest citadel in Europe. The walls of the city are 1.9 miles (3 km) long and have 52 massive towers.
This medieval town is a picturesque place, that attracts plenty of tourists, unfortunately, too many in my opinion.
Carcassonne was fortified by the Romans and strategically located between Toulouse and the Mediterranean sea.
I’ve visited Carcassonne 12 years ago and really loved it, this time I felt a bit disappointed. The walled city felt more like a theme park than a real town where normal life takes place.
I arrived early in the morning, and the entrance was already packed with buses and excursions.
Within the walled city all the buildings, squares, and alleyways have retained their medieval character.
La Ville Base
This time I have enjoyed more to walk around Carcassonne Town (La Ville Base) than the citadel. I found it quite charming and I really had a great time strolling through its streets.
From Toulouse, Carcassonne is an easy day trip and Bla Bla car works really well.
photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha