Trips home
My trips
Favorites
Create new trip
Settings
Currency
$ U.S. Dollar
Language
english
Help
FAQ
Trip Planner:   Europe  /  France  /  Occitanie  /  Aude  /  Carcassonne  /  Carcassonne Center  /  Cathar Castles

Cathar Castles, Carcassonne

4.8
#4 of 137 in Things to do in Carcassonne
Historic Site · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot
Create an itinerary including Cathar Castles
See the World Heritage-listed walled citadel at Cathar Castles and get a glimpse into one of the most dramatic periods of French history. Locals often refer to these castles as "cinq fils de Carcassonne," the five sons of Carcassonne. Built by the French kings to protect the country's southern border against invasions from Spain, the structures stand on spots once occupied by small but heavily fortified villages. Abandoned after France and Spain signed a peace treaty in 1659, the fortresses lost their importance and slowly fell into disrepair. Restored in the 20th century, Carcassonne's castles and their citadel now serve as the region's main tourist attractions. Before you head to Carcassonne, plan trip itinerary details with our user-friendly Carcassonne trip planner, to make sure you see all that Carcassonne has to offer, including Cathar Castles.
Improve this listing »
Create a full itinerary - for free!

Cathar Castles reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
839 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By SusetteInSeattle
    Visited the base of Château de Quéribus and Peyrepertuse for the view. These castle ruins were the last strong holds of the Cathars, a Christian dualist sect in western France. They are perched at... 
    Visited the base of Château de Quéribus and Peyrepertuse for the view. These castle ruins were the last strong holds of the Cathars, a Christian dualist sect in western France. They are perched at...  more »
  • By AlbertSalichs
    Cathar Castles are a lot of castles, which are related with Cathare period in Middle-Ages, and they are located in Occitaine Region, in the South of France. Some of them are in ruins, some of them... 
    Cathar Castles are a lot of castles, which are related with Cathare period in Middle-Ages, and they are located in Occitaine Region, in the South of France. Some of them are in ruins, some of them...  more »
  • By Alexander P
    Once you have parked in the village, walked to the entrance and paid the fee (face mask compulsory inside) you then take off your mask for the steepish walk up the hillside paths to reach each of the....  more
    Once you have parked in the village, walked to the entrance and paid the fee (face mask compulsory inside) you then take off your mask for the steepish walk up the hillside paths to reach each of the....  more »
See more on TripAdvisor ›

Plan your trip to Carcassonne

  • Get a personalized trip
    A full day by day itinerary based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place. Everyone on the same page.
Know more

Popular things to do in Carcassonne

See all ›
Cité de Carcassonne ©
World heritage site
Cité de Carcassonne
Carcassonne Center
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
O'Vineyards
Winery / Vineyard
O'Vineyards
Villemoustaussou
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Eglise Saint-Nazaire ©
Church
Eglise Saint-Nazaire
Carcassonne Center
4.5
Duration: 30 minutes
Winemaker Workshops
Winery / Vineyard
Winemaker Workshops
Villemoustaussou
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min

Side trips from Carcassonne

©
Room Escape Game
Room Escape Games
Toulouse
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile ©
World heritage site
Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile
Albi
4.8
Duration: 1 hour
©
Room Escape Game
Room Escape Games
Montpellier
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Terre Liquide ©
Scuba / Snorkeling
Terre Liquide
Mons
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min

Hidden gems in Carcassonne

Chateau Comtal ©
Castle
Chateau Comtal
Carcassonne Center
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min
Domaine Pierre Cros ©
Winery / Vineyard
Domaine Pierre Cros
Badens
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min
Chateau Guery
Winery / Vineyard
Chateau Guery
Azille
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min
Domaine Rose et Paul ©
Winery / Vineyard
Domaine Rose et Paul
Arzens
4.9
Duration: 1h 30 min

Wineries in Carcassonne

Chateau St Jacques d’Albas ©
Winery / Vineyard
Chateau St Jacques d’Albas
Laure-Minervois
4.9
Duration: 1h 30 min
Chateau Du Donjon ©
Winery / Vineyard
Chateau Du Donjon
Bagnoles
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Chateau Canet ©
Winery / Vineyard
Chateau Canet
Rustiques
4.9
Duration: 30 minutes
Chateau d'Agel ©
Winery / Vineyard
Chateau d'Agel
Rieux Minervois
4.3
Duration: 1h 30 min

Historic Sites in Carcassonne

See all ›
Porte Narbonnaise ©
Historic Site
Porte Narbonnaise
Carcassonne Center
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Carcassonne Cathedral ©
Church
Carcassonne Cathedral
Carcassonne Center
4.2
Duration: 1h 30 min
Eglise Saint-Vincent de Carcassonne ©
Church
Eglise Saint-Vincent de Carcassonne
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min
La Cite Medievale ©
Historic Walking Area
La Cite Medievale
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min

Nearby attractions in Carcassonne

Gouffre Geant de Cabrespine ©
Cave
Gouffre Geant de Cabrespine
Cabrespine
4.2
Duration: 1h 30 min
Lac de Cavayere
Water Body
Lac de Cavayere
Carcassonne Center
4.2
Duration: 1h 30 min
Vin en Vacances - Food & Wine Tours ©
Food Tour
Vin en Vacances - Food & Wine Tours
Carcassonne Center
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min
Musee de L'Inquisition ©
Specialty Museum
Musee de L'Inquisition
Carcassonne Center
1.7
Duration: 1h 30 min

Featured attractions of the week

Cocoa & Grapes ©
Food Tour
Cocoa & Grapes
Carcassonne Center
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Cathar Castles ©
Historic Site
Cathar Castles
Carcassonne Center
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Cite de l'espace ©
Science Museum
Cite de l'espace
Toulouse
3.6
Duration: 8 hours
Le Capitole ©
Landmark
Le Capitole
Toulouse
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Don't Miss a Thing.
See & Do More.

Trips in Cathar Castles by other users

18 days in France & Switzerland BY A USER FROM INDIA Nice La Croix-Valmer Carcassonne 52 days in Europe BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Malaga Seville Valencia 31 days in France BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Paris Lyon Chamonix 14 days in France BY A USER FROM PHILIPPINES Paris Bayeux Carcassonne 24 days in Spain & France BY A USER FROM HONG KONG SAR CHINA Seville Madrid Paris 5 days in Toulouse & Delft BY A USER FROM FRANCE Toulouse Delft 1 day in Carcassonne BY A USER FROM SPAIN Cathar Castles Chateau Comtal Eglise Saint-Nazaire 12 days in Carcassonne BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Cathar Castles Chateau Comtal Eglise Saint-Nazaire 7 days in France BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Bayeux Carcassonne Paris 16 days in Avignon, Languedoc-Roussillon & Paris BY A USER FROM CANADA Avignon Montpellier Carcassonne 7 days in Carcassonne BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Chateau Comtal Eglise Saint-Nazaire Porte Narbonnaise 13 days in France BY A USER FROM LATVIA Nice Bonifacio Carcassonne
See all trips