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| Carcassonne | ||
| region | Occitania | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 46.513 (2018) | |
| height | 81 m, 250 m | |
| Tourist info web | http://www.carcassonne.org | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Carcassonne is a french City in the department Aude. The impressive old town - La Cité - with the double city wall is the landmark of the city and has been part of the World Heritage of UNESCO.
background
It is the capital of the Arrondissement of Carcassonne and the administrative seat of four cantons.
The city was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC. Their medieval fortifications have been preserved to this day. This is also because the old town was restored in the 19th century under the direction of the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The well-preserved double city wall was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
Together with Toulouse, it was one of the most important cities in the historical region of Occitania.
The fortress was appointed the administrative center of the Inquisition in southern France in the 13th century. From here the (heretical) Cathars and Albigensians, who had temporarily found refuge in Carcassonne, were attacked.
When the Canal du Midi was built in the 17th, it ran around the city. But after the city fathers recognized its advantages, it was relocated a hundred years later, so that it now runs through the lower town.
getting there
By plane
Carcassonne Salvaza Airport is located immediately west of the city. He is among others by Ryanair approached; but there are no direct connections from the German-speaking area. There is one from the airport direct bus line to the city center, price is 6 € one way. The travel times are based on the flight times. Other transfer options are taxi or rental car. Several rental car companies are represented at the airport.Larger international airports, which are also served directly from D / A / CH, are the Toulouse-Blagnac airport(IATA: TLS), a good 100 km west) and the Montpellier airport(IATA: MPL), a good 150 km to the east.
By train
The 2 Carcassonne train station is on the line of Toulouse to Sète. It is located on the canal in the new town, a good 2 km from the old town.
Three TGVs stop here every day in each direction Lyon and Toulouse and four IC between Bordeaux and Marseille. There are also regular TER (Regional Express) between Toulouse and Narbonne. It takes 3:25 hours from Lyon, 3:15 hours from Marseille, 3 hours from Bordeaux, 1½ hours from Montpellier and 40 minutes from Toulouse. From Paris you can get to Carcassonne in just under 5½ hours with one change in Montpellier or Narbonne. There is also a direct night train from Paris-Austerlitz to Carcassonne.
The fastest connection from Frankfurt am Main takes a good 10½ hours (change in Paris and Montpellier), from Zurich (via Dijon and Lyon) eight hours, and from Basel seven hours.
In the street
The A 61 motorway from Toulouse to Montpellier runs past the city. The city has two exits, Carcassonne Ouest (No. 23) and Carcassonne Est (No. 24).
The national road N 113 runs right through the city.
By boat
The city can be reached on the Canal du Midi.
mobility
Local public transport is provided by a bus network with 11 bus routes. However, this is not reliable during rush hour due to the congested streets.
Tourist Attractions
La Cité
The most visited attraction is certainly the 1 medieval Cité, here the company is reminiscent of the German one Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The entire company is strongly geared towards tourism. This is also reflected in the prices. While you can explore the old town freely on foot, a tour of the city wall is only possible against admission. The main entrance is also the entrance to the castle - Château comtal - which houses a museum. It is not permitted to bring dogs here.
Churches
- 2 Basilique Saint-Nazaire. The Basilica of St. Nazaire dates back to the first millennium and is considered one of the most important sacred buildings in the south of France.
- 3 Église Saint-Gimer. St. Gimmer Church.
- 4 Église Saint-Vincent. St. Vincent Church.
- 5 Chapelle Notre Dame
- 6 Cathédrale Saint-Michel
Castles and fortresses
- 7 Le chateau comtal. The Count's Castle within the old town of La Cité.
- Bastide Saint-Louis. The Bastion of St. Louis.
Buildings
Monuments
Museums
Traffic routes and structures
- 8 Pont Vieux. The old bridge over the Aude.
- Canal du Midi
Parks and gardens
activities
shop
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
medium
- 1 Best Western Plus Hôtel Le Donjon, 2 Rue du Comté Roger, 11000 Carcassonne. Tel.: 33 4 68 11 23 00.
upscale
- 4 Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne, Place Auguste Pierre Pont, 11000 Carcassonne. Tel.: 33 4 68 71 98 71. High-end comfort in the historic old town.Price: well beyond 200 €.
Learn
Work
security
health
Practical advice
trips
literature
Web links
- http://www.carcassonne.org - Carcassonne Official Website
