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

4.4/5(3,163)

Alice F

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

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.

Baudon P

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

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.

Raquel M

Group

Verified booking

Apr 2026

It's hard to believe I'm saying this, but the strong wind really made us realize just how tough life must have been back then. It was truly striking.

María G

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

We were very relaxed because we knew we already had our tickets; we took our time because we chose when to enter and how to tour the site. We are very satisfied with our purchase.

John W

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

I love being able to move about discreetly through a tourist sight at my own pace without having to join a group to learn a bit about the rich history of the place. The descriptions were long enough to enrich our travel experience without overwhelming us with too many facts and figures. We both felt that the descriptions were well-balanced and informative, giving enough detail to encourage further exploration in the areas that most interested us. Well done on your service, and thank you for adding a fun twist to city touring and for offering a way to visit a tourist site that is far-less intrusive for the locals as well.

Oscar E

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

We loved the experience. Walking along the ramparts at sunset was magical, and the castle is very well preserved. It's a must-see if you're in the area. Buying tickets through Headout made everything very easy.

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.

3,163 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.
2K
812
139
49
138
Guests from Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and over 22 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Alice F
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
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.
Baudon P
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
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.
Daniel S
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
A beautifully restored fortress complex. A lovely walk through the castle and along the defensive wall. Unfortunately, there are no guided tours or audio guides in German!
Miranda M
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
Very easy entry. We bought the tickets last minute and by-passes the line!
Aurelien S
Couple
Verified booking
5 days ago
We had a great time; it's a beautiful castle to visit

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