The Cité: historic fortress (built upon ruins predating Christianity) that was featured in the movie Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. It is also told that the Cité inspired Walt Disney for the Castle of his Sleeping Beauty.

You can enter the Cité through one of its four gates: Porte Narbonnaise (see picture, common entrance when you arrive by car).

The Cité is a beautiful and interesting place to visit. Strolling through the medieval village with its tiny and twisted alleys, the beautiful little Buildings next to impressive buildings like the Basilique St-Nazaire, give you a hint of how life must have been. The inner detail-orientated arrangements transport the medieval charm and impress you at every other corner in this town. Make sure to walk with open eyes through the alleys!

The Basilique St-Nazaire impresses especially with its enormous rose windows and the biggest organ of south France. Pope Urban V ordered the construction in 1096.

You can choose to walk the Cité on your own without paying entrance for most of the medieval city. You only have to pay to visit the area of the Château Comtal (around €10).

Nearly 3 million tourists visit the the Cité of Carcassonne every year so it can get very busy in this little town. Peak season is from June to August.