Hôtel de la Cité

Top choice in Carcassonne


Built in the 19th century in the Gothic Revival style, this is Carcassonne's most magnificent place to stay. Palatial rooms are individually appointed, many with wood panelling and/or timber beams; some have panoramic private terraces. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the private library, which has its own bar, and there's a topiary-flanked swimming pool. Its Michelin-starred restaurant, La Barbacane, is sublime.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Carcassonne attractions

1. Basilique St-Nazaire

0.02 MILES

Carcassonne's basilica is worth a peek for its soaring Gothic transept and vivid rose windows. Often, traditional plain chant can be heard inside.

2. Porte d’Aude

0.06 MILES

The castle’s second gate, Porte d'Aude, was partly destroyed in 1816 and no longer has its drawbridge.

3. Château et Remparts

0.15 MILES

To actually walk on the ramparts of Cité Médiévale, you have to pay to enter the Château et Remparts, a keep built for the viscounts of Carcassonne during…

4. Cité Médiévale

0.15 MILES

Built on a steep spur of rock, Carcassonne’s rampart-ringed fortress dates back more than two millennia. The fortified town is encircled by two sets of…

5. Porte Narbonnaise

0.2 MILES

The main gateway to the Cité Médiévale, Porte Narbonnaise leads into the citadel’s interior.

6. Pont-Vieux

0.4 MILES

Though it’s one of several bridges spanning the Aude River, the Pont-Vieux is by far the oldest and prettiest. It was built during the 14th century to…

7. Musée et Jardin du Canal du Midi

23.62 MILES

Understand France’s mightiest man-made waterway, the Unesco World Heritage Canal du Midi, through illuminating exhibitions and short films at this museum…

8. Château de Puivert

25.03 MILES

Built during the late 12th century on a 605m-high promontory 58km southwest of Carcassonne via the D118 and D620, Puivert belonged to the aristocratic…