Landmarks

Carcassonne Castle & Ramparts Tickets

Aerial view of Carcassonne Castle and Ramparts in France, showcasing medieval architecture and surrounding town.

Carved stone figures in Carcassonne Castle museum exhibit with informational plaque.

Visitors exploring Carcassonne Castle ramparts in France.

Carcassonne Castle ramparts with stone towers and surrounding landscape.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Extended validity

Visit anytime until 10 Jun, 2028 without worrying about committing to a date today

Mobile ticket

4.4/5

(2,907)

Christopher

Jul 2025

Verified booking

We purchased the separate audio add on which was informative about the origins of Carcassonnee castle and the background to its changing fortunes and occupiers over the generations. It builds up to the entrance to the castle and then supports your experience as you walk the castle ramparts. The entry to the castle ramparts itself was seemless. Tickets were scanned and access immediate. No queues. The castle interior walk takes around 90 mins in total but is well worth it for the effort in climbing the many stairs and walkways for the exterior views of the area alone. Well recommended.

Julia

Jun 2025

Verified booking

Carcassonne was very beautiful. Definitely worth a visit. We didn't have quite as nice weather. But that wasn't a bad thing. It wasn't quite as crowded as a result. The old town is very nice with its many stores and restaurants. The walk along the old city wall was also worthwhile. The view was great. You need about 1 hour for a complete tour. But you can also just do half of it. However, I would do the full tour for the €19 entrance fee per person.

Gavin

Jun 2025

Verified booking

The castle was very well preserved and interesting and we appreciated the inclusion of English language information at the various stop off points. The ticketing was seamless through the app. Staff were friendly and helpful. We had a great day.

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.

Use the multilingual leaflets to gain insights about this famous UNESCO heritage site.

Upgrade: Choose skip-the-crowds option for a more budget-friendly, quieter visit.

Access to the Château of Carcassonne

Access to castle courtyards

Access to the ramparts of Carcassonne

Access to archaeological museum

Leaflet in multiple languages

Skip-the-crowds entry (as per option selected)

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 10 Jun, 2028.

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4.4
2,907 ratings
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Guests from Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and over 42 countries have loved this experience
Louise
Jul, 2025Verified booking
4/5
Beautiful and interesting place, some exceptional views from the ramparts. Not too crowded. A lot to see, but it would be nice with more information in english.
Monique
Jun, 2025Verified booking
4/5
We had done some reading so we decided to go to Carcasonne castle/city on Monday. Ordered tickets online a few days earlier, at 10am, before the heat really hit. We had some trouble finding a parking spot, but P2 was near the entrance to the city wall. We had been given an address from the ticket site. However, we did not know that you had to be inside the city wall for ticket control. Once there, it went perfectly, in one go, while there was already a queue at the ticket office, which we could pass on the left. Inside we could choose to first walk around the city walls, or the inside of the castle. Because of the 36 degrees expected later, we opted for outside first. The whole round v 1 hour, we walked. Beautiful views and relatively few people on the wall, so good choice. Be careful not to walk through gates or chains that are closed, because you can easily accidentally stand outside the castle and NOT be allowed in. Especially for those whose French is not too good ... After the round outside, we visited the inside. Nice to see, although we have seen nicer interiors of castles. But nice for the complete picture of Carcasonne. After leaving the closed part, still walked around in the open part inside the city walls. For those who have less budget, that too is already fun to see and will only cost you a parking fee. Speaking of which, that was not too bad for us, 15 euros for 3.5/4 hours of parking. Tips : Book a time slot online in advance , saves waiting time and you can move on smoothly. Footwear recommended : sneakers or shoes you can climb, lots of boulders and stairs.
Robert
Jun, 2025Verified booking
4/5
Booking the tickets was very straightforward. The location was easy to find and the pre-purchased tickets allowed quick entry. The walk along the ramparts was very enjoyable and informative. Overall an excellent experience.
Della
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The city is magnificent! The view from the ramparts is top-notch!
Ulrike
Jun, 2025Verified booking
4/5
The digital ticket purchase and the subsequent access were problem-free and without waiting.

These tickets are valid until 10 Jun, 2028.

Explore Carcassonne’s 2,500-year history with access to the castle and ramparts.

Getting started

Begin your visit at the main entrance, where your ticket is validated for entry. Collect your multilingual leaflet and proceed through a brief security check before exploring at your own pace.

What to expect

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. With the provided leaflet, learn key highlights and linger at sections that interest you most.

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.

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