Lets explore the best things to do in Carcassonne :

1. The Carcassonne medieval town and the Comtal castle

This medieval fortress is with no contest one of the biggest in the world, and is located in the South of France. At first built by the Romans in the 3rd century, this fortified medieval town has seen many invaders taking over its walls, until the 13th century when Louis IX decided to make it impregnable.

The astounding walls of Carcassonne’s citadel protected the city for centuries and were left to decay, before getting a full restoration by the 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Never mind that his work might not be the most historically accurate, they’re an architectural wonder all the same and draw visitors to the city from far and wide.

After discovering every niche, passageway and parapet you can navigate the streets of the hilltop settlement or venture into the less touristy Lower City for lunch or a shopping trip. Within minutes of Carcassonne you can also get to vineyards, wine caves, ruined castles and the soothing green banks of the Canal du Midi. La Cité médiévale de Carcassonne et le Château Comtal.

Let yourself be guided by your professional guide and discover the history of this incredible historical site.

2. Minerve and Lagrasse

Amongst the most beautiful villages of France

Minerve and Lagrasse, both villages are medieval, with stone houses. Both villages are very different from each other, do not miss out one of them… Minerve is located in the Minervois area, also famous for its wine, the Minervois area has a Mediterranean influence, you will testimony thanks to the vegetation, the dry aspect, and the wind… Minerve is settled on a rock surrounded by an ancient rivers, where the water has shaped amazing natural bridges. it is quite spectacular to imagine how they have builted this village, and then understand how the crusaders succeded to take over the town during the crusade against the cathars…

In a landscape of vineyards and hills, typical of the Corbières, Lagrasse is crossed by the Orbieu, spanned by a bridge linking the village and its old 14th century halls to its abbey, an architectural jewel of the medieval period. Take the time to stroll through its cobbled streets, enjoy the tranquility and authenticity of the South of France and immerse yourself in history thanks to your tour guide.

Take a driver guide will enable you to enjoy the landscape and learn more about history without worrying about the itinerary or the organization of your holiday…

3. The 4 Lastours castles

Breathtaking view!  the Lastours Belvédère will be a memorable visit during your stay in the Cathar Country. If you decide to do the 2 hours hiking, make sure you wear good walking shoes, and a walking stick is not too much! Lastours is a huge archaeological site, with its four castles: Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertineux, built on the summit of a rocky pedestal, together with its medieval village, the Castrum of Cabaret, nestling deep in the valley.

The tour is in two stages: discovering the panoramic view from the Belvedere and approaching the monuments along a footpath built from the former textile mill. An archaeological exhibition, entitled ‘Lastours, 4,000 years of history’ presents the main discoveries that have resulted from almost 30 years of archaeological digs.

4. Mirepoix

Not to be missed under any circumstances: the big Monday morning market ! You will enjoy strolling between the stalls, in a friendly and colorful atmosphere. By the way, speaking of gastronomy, do you know how to carve a Mirepoix of vegetables ? This technique comes from us! The atmosphere of the city is lived on the place of cutlery, which has managed to preserve its medieval appearance, its narrow streets, its colorful houses, and its small canal at the end of the city ...

Stroll, observe and suddenly come face to face with the famous House of Consuls ! This superb half-timbered house on wooden galleries is adorned with pieces of wood carved with strange human heads and grimacing monsters… The discovery does not end there, since by turning around, the Sainte-Maurice cathedral looks down on us. This mastodon, whose construction spanned 6 centuries (just that!) was restored by the famous Eugene Viollet-le-Duc in person (who also restored Notre Dame de Paris or Mont Saint Michel) in the XXth century. It is said to have the largest nave in Europe.

5. Quéribus, Peyrepertuse and Montségur castles

You cannot visit Cathar Country without exploring these 3 emblematic sites… Land of refuge for the Cathars, many seigneurial castles at that time protected the Cathars against the Crusaders who came from the North of France. Catharism, a "heresy" that Pope Innocent III in 1209 decided to eradicate by force and violence. Montségur is known for its terrible stake, when the castles of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse, even if they did not know battles during this crusade, undoubtedly sheltered many Cathars, Quéribus even being known to have been the last refuge of the Cathars before being handed over to the Crusaders.

Today, all these majestic sites due to their position in height, offer an impregnable view on the landscapes which surround them. The effort required to visit those ruined castles  is quickly rewarded with breathtaking views...

6. Visit of Languedoc vineyards

Nourished by the Mediterranean sun and the richness of their terroirs, the wines of Languedoc each have their own personality, whether red, white, rosé or sparkling. They are part of the region's rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Covering 245,000 hectares, the Languedoc vineyard is one of the largest and oldest vineyards in France. From Nîmes to the borders of the Aude, from Montpellier to Carcassonne, between mountains, scrubland and sea, the wine-growing landscapes pass along several wine routes with a single constant: the Mediterranean. It is assumed that it was the Greeks who planted the vine in Languedoc, but it was above all the Romans who cultivated it. At the fall of the Roman Empire, the monks (Benedictine and Cistercian) of the monasteries and abbeys took over and perpetuated this culture through the centuries.

During your holidays in the South of France, what could be better than a visit of a vineyards and wine tasting with your driver guide to relax and enjoy an enchanting setting?

7. Pays Lauragais and its Cassoulet

The Lauragais (Occitan: Lauragués) is a historical and cultural region in southwestern France. It occupies a vast area, around the central axis formed by the Canal du Midi, between the agglomerations of Toulouse to the northwest and Carcassonne to the southeast and those of Castres to the northeast and Pamiers to the southwest.

Known in the sources since around the year 1000 and in turn archdeacon, diocese, county, then seneschal, Lauragais was divided with the French Revolution between four departments: Haute-Garonne, Aude, Ariège and the Tarn.

Culturally, the Lauragais, a rural area, is associated with the richness of its agricultural production. Evidenced by its nicknames of "Land of plenty", linked both to the culture of pastel and the abundance of production, and "breadbasket of Languedoc", which refers to the specialization and export of cereals since the 17th century, thanks to the Canal du Midi. But this region is also known for its history, particularly religious (Catharism, Protestantism) as well as for its very rich heritage: Canal du Midi and its sources, abbeys and churches, castles, discoidal steles, dovecotes, windmills, bastides. Visit the vestiges of the past: from the archaeological site of Montferrand to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Papoul, passing through the history of the Canal du Midi or that of the airmail, many testimonies are still visible in our small surrounding villages.

If there is a typical dish in the Aude that is world famous, it is Cassoulet de Castelnaudary! Don't miss this incredible chance to discover these authentic flavors. Your tourist guide knows the best addresses and you won't be disappointed... From the city of Chaur, set off to discover local producers and craftsmen, who will share their love of their trades with you.

8. The Canal du Midi

Discover the Canal du Midi, by bike, on foot, by sailing or simply stopping over with your driver-guide who will explain its history to you. You will experience exceptional moments, underlined by the old towpaths, the flowered locks and welcoming marinas. The Canal du Midi is the royal route for river tourism in Europe. Many come from afar, from South Africa or New Zealand, to sail on this prestigious work, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Your turn!

Listed on the list of world heritage sites by UNESCO, this fantastic work, the principle of which dates back to antiquity, remained in the planning stage for centuries. Only the tenacity of one man, Pierre Paul Riquet, will come to the end of this crazy idea: to create and then feed an artificial watercourse 240 km long, 10 to 20 meters wide and 2 meters deep connecting the Garonne and therefore the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean with the technical and topographical means of the 17th century, at the time of Louis XIV.

During its journey, and more particularly in Languedoc, the Canal du Midi encountered many obstacles requiring the construction of astonishing works, sometimes unique in their time. On the death of Pierre Paul Riquet, it was Vauban who took it upon himself to improve the works of this fabulous canal...

9. Narbonne, Gruissan, Fontfroide

In the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Narbonnaise in the Mediterranean, stroll through Bages, a fishing village perched on its rock, overlooking the pond and offering you a breathtaking view. Wander the steep streets, discover this picturesque little village. Admire the Sundial Gate which once was the only entrance to the old village.

Bages is also home to artists and contemporary art galleries, so extend your visit. On the edge of the pond, it is the domain of fishermen. You can surprise them in their huts, untangling their nets. Continue your walk by taking the pontoon, take a few steps… stop…. And take the time to admire this breathtaking view of the perched village, with the Pyrenees chain in the background.

Continue your journey to discover another village on the edge of the Doul pond: Peyriac de Mer (count 10 minutes – 6km) we can also call it “Where we walk on water”. Finally continue towards Gruissan, the village is built in circulade. the alleys wind around the Barbarossa Tower, like a snail. Circular villages appear around the year 1000 in Languedoc. Such a construction in fact responded to a defense logic. The village could be more easily closed in the event of an attack. The shape of a snail is a trap for invaders who rush through the streets and cannot turn back. The village had two gates (one towards the source of Ile Saint-Martin and the other towards Narbonne) and it was surrounded by a rampart but this was destroyed in the 19th century when the village grew. Considered the port of Narbonne, the wrecks of Roman ships (found at Mateille) prove that Gruissan was used as a port for the Roman colonies of Narbonne. The city of Narbonne was extremely rich and the Romans called it, "the little girl of Rome outside Italy".

Fontfroide: In the heart of the vineyards, this sumptuous building is nestled in its green setting. Inside, time seems suspended... Olivia, our passionate and fascinating guide, immerses us in an authentic, serene and spiritual atmosphere. This Cistercian masterpiece over 1000 years old has preserved its soul!

In the terraced gardens, a few statues, here and there, catch our eye. They invite us to calm and contemplation. The walk is magnificent, the view inspiring on the Abbey and the surrounding Massif. The rose, soft and fragrant, with multiple colors contrasts with the verdant nature.