Carcassonne is a dramatic fortified city in southern France known for its twin walled citadel its towers and its sweeping views over the Aude Valley. The medieval Cité rises on a hill with sturdy ramparts watchtowers and stone gates that create one of the most striking silhouettes in Europe. Inside the walls narrow lanes small squares and historic houses form a self contained world shaped by centuries of craftsmanship trade and defense. The Basilica of Saint Nazaire adds a graceful touch with stained glass that fills the interior with soft color. Below the Cité the lower town offers a calmer rhythm with riverside paths markets and everyday life. Together the fortress the river and the surrounding countryside give Carcassonne a vivid atmosphere where history landscape and local culture come together in a memorable way.
Part of: France