Landmarks

Carcassonne Castle & Ramparts Tickets

Aerial view of Carcassonne Castle and Ramparts in France.

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

Visitors exploring Carcassonne Castle and Ramparts in France.

Carcassonne Castle ramparts with stone towers and surrounding landscape.

Open today

10:00am - 6:30pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Extended validity

Visit anytime until 1 May, 2028 without worrying about committing to a date today

4.5/5(3,152)

Mercedes P

Group

Verified booking

Last week

It's a dreamlike place, frozen in time. You feel as if you've stepped back into the Middle Ages. The ramparts offer a 360-degree view of the surroundings. And everything is very well preserved. It's the largest medieval castle I've ever visited.

Tim B

Couple

Verified booking

2 days ago

The entire castle and the fortress walls are amazing and well worth a visit. The visual presentation on the first floor was especially beautiful and fascinating. We’ve never seen anything like it, and we travel all over the world.

Stewart F

Couple

Verified booking

Yesterday

carsaconne is magnificent. if you are in toulouse or anywhere near. it's a must see. there are quite a few places to eat inside the walls which was also very nice to do

Alice F

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

Getting tickets beforhand was a good idea, the entry was smooth & we got an audio guide which made our journey round the castle so interesting. The castle is stunning, so beautiful & its history just awesome, the audio guide relates it so so well.

Mr John N

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Very good booking process. Clear description of attractions and facilities. The chateau was great and well organised, the presentation of the building and facilities were easy to access and follow.

Baudon P

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

A great tour for all ages, with an audio guide that lets you immerse yourself in the setting and the era. We loved everything about the castle and the ramparts—it’s really fun and engaging for everyone.

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.

Access to the Château of Carcassonne

Access to castle courtyards

Access to the ramparts of Carcassonne

Access to archaeological museum

Leaflet in multiple languages

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 1 May, 2028.

3,152 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
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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Guests from Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and over 21 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Claire M
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
You walk through the first "gate" and wow! You step into a medieval town. We walk through the town along the marked path and head to the entrance of the castle and its ramparts. It’s just like in the movies! Fantastic. As for the ramparts, there are a lot of steps, but it’s worth it. We spent three hours on this unforgettable tour.
Yasmin A
Group
Verified booking
5 days ago
The castle is absolutely beautiful, and the videos and exhibits are excellent and interesting. One area for improvement is that the restrooms on the premises were very dirty; since they are the only ones available, it is necessary to improve both the cleanliness and the facilities.
Mercedes P
Group
Verified booking
Last week
It's a dreamlike place, frozen in time. You feel as if you've stepped back into the Middle Ages. The ramparts offer a 360-degree view of the surroundings. And everything is very well preserved. It's the largest medieval castle I've ever visited.
Tim B
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
The entire castle and the fortress walls are amazing and well worth a visit. The visual presentation on the first floor was especially beautiful and fascinating. We’ve never seen anything like it, and we travel all over the world.
Stewart F
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
carsaconne is magnificent. if you are in toulouse or anywhere near. it's a must see. there are quite a few places to eat inside the walls which was also very nice to do

These tickets are valid until 1 May, 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