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Castle · Carcassonne, Occitânia
Château comtal et remparts
The castle of the viscounts of Carcassonne, inside the Cité, and the walk along the ramparts, a national monument with admission.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Château comtal et remparts
The Château comtal is the castle built in the 12th century by the Trencavel, viscounts of Carcassonne, inside the Cité. After the crusade against the Albigensians in the 13th century, it passed to the king of France, who reinforced the castle and the walls to watch over the border with the kingdom of Aragon.
The castle, the walls and the towers belong to the State and are administered by the Centre des monuments nationaux. The visit includes the castle, with a small museum of carved stone pieces, and stretches of the walkway along the walls, from where you can see the lower town, the vineyards and, on clear days, the Pyrenees.
Part of the route explains Viollet-le-Duc's 19th-century restoration, with models and drawings that show how the Cité looked before the works.
Since 2026, the castle and the walls have also been included in the property Fortalezas reais capetíngias do Languedoc, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside regional castles such as Lastours, Peyrepertuse and Quéribus.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1½–2 hours.
Best time
Right at opening or late in the afternoon, to avoid queues. Clear winter days usually give the best view of the Pyrenees.
How to get there
It is inside the Cité de Carcassonne, entering via the Porte Narbonnaise or the Porte d'Aude and following the signs for the château.
Tip
Buy tickets in advance in high season. There are discount rules by age and residence; check the official website to see if any apply to you.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Château comtal et remparts
Does the castle visit include the walls?
Yes, the ticket grants access to the castle and to sections of the wall walk along the ramparts.
How long does the visit take?
About 1.5 to 2 hours.
Do you need to buy a ticket in advance?
In high season it's advisable; outside it you can usually buy on the spot. Check the official website.