car hire carcassonne
Pick up your hire car at Carcassonne airport and indulge in some olde-worlde chic. Book car hire carcassonne now
the 60-second guide to Carcassonne
in its own head
"If there's a more spectacular medieval town in the whole of France then our name is Joan of Arc. And anyone who disagrees with us might just get a mouthful of lance!"
but more realistically
It's all true - this place just reeks of the Middle Ages and its beautifully preserved fortifications are reminiscent of a time when everyone knew how to handle a sword.
the vibe
Olde-worlde chic. That doesn't mean people wander around in designer chain mail but it does mean you can drink down the history of this place in a debonair fashion while you sup on your espresso at the local cafe.
the natives
The French aren't as surly as you might have been led to believe. Despite the number of tourists that invade Carcassonne, the locals remain remarkably welcoming.
the weather
It can get surprisingly nippy here in winter and rains a bit, too. But Carcassonne is at its best on a cold, clear day.
the local speciality
Carcassonne's proximity to the Mediterranean ensures there's a healthy seafood presence on most menus, but cassoulet, a bean and meat stew, is the region's traditional dish.
the celebrity
Carcassonne provides the backdrop for several films, including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Chocolat - so the town has been host to the likes of Johnny Depp and Kevin Costner.
did you know?
The fortified section of the city almost met its maker in the mid 19th century. It was up for demolition until campaigners convinced the government restoration was a better idea.
they say
"Do not die without seeing Carcassonne." - French songwriter Gustave Nadaud
5 to see in town...
Built in the 12th century, the Chateau Comtal once provided a comfy home for Carcassonne's counts. Now it houses an archaeological museum.
where to park?
The chateau is inside the walled Medieval City, which is a pedestrian-only area, so park your hire car at the metered car park next to the entrance to the city.
5 to see in town...
This church is so old it makes Bruce Forsyth look positively sprightly. It's a vast structure with a Gothic interior dating back almost 1,000 years.
where to park?
The church is also in the Medieval City, so park up outside and take a stroll.
5 to see in town...
There's only so much history a man can take before he wants to go off and meet some birds. Luckily this attraction has an amazing array of winged creatures to ogle at.
where to park?
There's a free onsite car park.
5 to see in town...
If you can't find good food in France, you may as well give up eating. Sample some of the region's finest produce at the market in Place Carnot.
where to park?
Place Carnot has a free car park, where you can park for 30 minutes. There's another free car park a short walk away at Calvary Bastion, on Boulevard Barbes, where you can park for longer.
and 4 to drive to...
If you're going to visit one set of ruins during your visit to Carcassonne, make it these - they're perched 2,000 metres above sea level and offer great views.
how to get there?
Travel south out of Carcassonne to join the A61/E80 westwards, then take the D4, D119 and D625 to Montsegur. It's about an hour and a half's drive away.
and 4 to drive to...
Going to the south of France and not munching on mussels by the sea is a bit like eating snails - not quite right. Do it in historic Collioure if you can.
how to get there?
Take the A61/E80 eastwards, then the A9/E15 towards Perpignan. Then the D914 takes you towards Collioure. The drive takes around an hour and 40 minutes.
and 4 to drive to...
Culture, history and a sophisticated metropolitan air - Toulouse has it all. Go there if you crave the thrills of a big city - it's France's fourth largest.
how to get there?
Head west on the A61/E80, which leads all the way to Toulouse, about 60 miles away.
and 4 to drive to...
Getting some mountain air into your lungs is never a bad thing - unless you're inhaling sharply as you fall off one - so take a trip to this castle in the Pyrenees.
how to get there?
Join the D3 south of Carcassonne, then follow the D613, D1610, D10 and D14. The chateau is well sign-posted at takes about an hour and a half to drive to.
ask a Carcassonne cabbie!
Local taxi driver Jacques Vincent on car hire in Carcassonne: "You are going to need a hire car if you want to enjoy the picturesque French countryside, where you'll find some of the world's natural wonders - such as the beautiful mountains and water falls. Everyone talks about how awesome it is to drive on the motorways, but you are still going to need good walking shoes, as La Cite - our UNESCO World Heritage Listed medieval citadel - is only accessible on foot."