Landmarks

Carcassonne Castle & Ramparts Tickets

4.5/5(3,322)

Timea D

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

What an absolutely wonderful little town! And the walk in the castle and on the walls was really special because you could really walk around the whole town, see it from every angle. Informative boards are placed everywhere, giving you the right amount of history and details of the structures. The entry was very easy, there's a dedicated queue for visitors with already purchased tickets. If you are visiting on a sunny day, don't forget your hat and sunscream, plus wear comfy shoes :)

Clare C

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Carcassone Castle and ramparts has to be seen to be believed, it is a beautiful place with lots to do and learn about. Highly recommend a trip here if you are visitng the area

Elizabeth T

Group

Verified booking

Last week

You can see the old walls and castle from Carcassone fortified old town, The Cité, but you do get extra by visiting the castle itself and walking around the walls. You find out extra history inside, learn about the castle and get some great views. The walk around the walls is worth it, but a lot of steps up and down, so might not be suitable for everyone. The ticket queue wasn't too long, but we saved around 10 minutes going straight through, and it was worth paying a booking fee to know we'd got tickets for the time we wanted. I always try to pay in the local currency - so € in this case, but the charge came through in GBP though I don't remember agreeing to accept a conversion

Fulvio M

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The visit to the castle of Carcassonne and its walls was one of the highlights of our vacation in Provence. Thanks to our online ticket purchase, entry was quick and hassle-free. The tour of the castle involved constantly going up and down between the various indoor and outdoor areas, with beautiful views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Rossella B

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

I appreciated the ease of getting the tickets and the communication: in fact, I was informed of a change in schedule (due to the high temperatures), which allowed me to bring my visit forward.

Lorraine B

Solo

Verified booking

Aug 2026

I very much enjoyed my visit to Carcassonne. I strongly suggest people get the guided tours listening machines, it makes a huge difference. When I entered, I didn't know they were available, and stumbled upon the place to get them. I suggest it is promoted more prominently. For 5 Euro I found it made a huge difference to learn more about my visit.

Enjoy self-guided access to one of France’s most impressive historic attractions, the Carcassonne Castle and its courtyards, ramparts, and the archaeological museum.

Walk along the fortified medieval walls and climb the Bishop’s Tower, spanning both city walls.

Marvel at 15th-century polychrome alabaster statues in the Salle Pierre Embry and take in panoramic views from the ramparts as you learn about Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s restoration work that revived the city to it's medieval grandeur.

Access to the Château of Carcassonne

Access to castle courtyards

Access to the ramparts of Carcassonne

Access to archaeological museum

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

3,322 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Elizabeth T
Group
Verified booking
Last week
You can see the old walls and castle from Carcassone fortified old town, The Cité, but you do get extra by visiting the castle itself and walking around the walls. You find out extra history inside, learn about the castle and get some great views. The walk around the walls is worth it, but a lot of steps up and down, so might not be suitable for everyone. The ticket queue wasn't too long, but we saved around 10 minutes going straight through, and it was worth paying a booking fee to know we'd got tickets for the time we wanted. I always try to pay in the local currency - so € in this case, but the charge came through in GBP though I don't remember agreeing to accept a conversion
Timea D
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
What an absolutely wonderful little town! And the walk in the castle and on the walls was really special because you could really walk around the whole town, see it from every angle. Informative boards are placed everywhere, giving you the right amount of history and details of the structures. The entry was very easy, there's a dedicated queue for visitors with already purchased tickets. If you are visiting on a sunny day, don't forget your hat and sunscream, plus wear comfy shoes :)
Fulvio M
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The visit to the castle of Carcassonne and its walls was one of the highlights of our vacation in Provence. Thanks to our online ticket purchase, entry was quick and hassle-free. The tour of the castle involved constantly going up and down between the various indoor and outdoor areas, with beautiful views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
Fritsch J
Group
Verified booking
Aug 2026
The audio guide is essential for an engaging and interesting tour. You don't even notice the time passing. To be fully appreciated, this site needed an audio guide—it's easier than having to stop every time to read the explanations. The flow of visitors was very smooth.
Monika S
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
Ordering tickets for the castle went smoothly. The online payment process was straightforward, and the tickets were available right away. I especially appreciated the extra reminder I received before the visit. Everything was great—I’d definitely go again!

This self-paced experience lets you explore the castle’s walkways, towers, and galleries. Whether you're stopping for panoramic photos or diving into centuries of historical detail, you have the flexibility to shape your own route.

Features

Fortified Walls & Galleries: Walk along double ramparts and covered galleries, tracing the city’s layered defenses and strategic design.

Bishop’s Tower: Climb the square Bishop’s Tower, uniquely bridging both city walls and offering insight into Carcassonne’s defensive ingenuity.

Archaeological Museum: Explore curated exhibits that reveal the site’s evolving history, from Roman origins to medieval restoration.

Salle Pierre Embry: View 15th-century polychrome alabaster statues, an example of intricate medieval craftsmanship.

Western Ramparts: Enjoy panoramic views over the city and surrounding countryside from the western walls.

Restoration by Viollet-le-Duc: Discover the impact of 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, whose restoration revived the castle’s original grandeur.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring a valid passport or photo ID card for entry and age verification.

What’s not allowed

Scooters, bicycles, helmets, non-folding strollers, and large luggage are not permitted inside the Château Comtal or on the ramparts.

Animals are not allowed inside the monument.

Accessibility

The monument is accessible to people with limited mobility in the Barbican and main courtyard only.

Other areas, including the ramparts, are not fully accessible.

Expect to climb a lot of stairs with the Bishop's tower having 230+ steps.

Additional information

The monument is open daily from 10am to 6:15pm, with last access at 5:45pm. It is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25. The ramparts are closed on July 14 due to fireworks.

Entry is free for visitors under 18 and EU citizens under 26 with valid ID; a timeslot must be pre-booked on the Carcassone website.

Free entrance is available on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November, and December, and during European Heritage Days (3rd weekend of September).

Certain areas may be closed due to weather conditions; check availability before your visit.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

If you have purchased reduced-price or free tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification.

Ticket redemption point

Redeem your ticket at Château et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne.

Address: 1 Rue Viollet le Duc, 11000 Carcassonne, France.

Get directions to the redemption point