The medieval city of Carcassonne is a fortified town which shelters about a hundred inhabitants. It is enclosed by two curtain walls interspersed by 52 towers and barbicans.

Inside the cité :
The basilica of Saints Nazaire and Celse : the former cathedral has a combination of Romanesque nave and side-aisles with a Gothic choir and transept. It shelters marvellous stained-glass windows, some dating from the 13th century.
The castle : Built during the 12th and 13th centuries on the western side of the primitive fortification, over the highest point of the hill, it is protected by a curtain wall over which wooden hoardings have been reconstituted. Accessed through the cité, entrance is possible after the barbican, a stone bridge over a dry ditch and a portcullis gate which is protected by a double defensive system. In the interior: the courtyards and the palace comprised of the keep and the main residence.

The visits :
Non-guided visit : The lists, area of defence and circulation between the two outer walls, the basilica and the interior of the castle, exhibitions, the lapidary museum, the 3D model tracing the construction of the walled city, the contemporary art exhibition. Nonguided visit with printed explanations or audio-guide
Conducted tours : 
- « walking tour » of 40 minutes over the interior rampart from the castle to the theatre. In French, visits every hour beginning at 10.15 am every day; visits in English, German, Japanese and Spanish depending on the day and by reservation for groups.
- Conference tours : visits take 1 ½ hours and include the castle, the Gallo-Roman rampart and the royal towers. In French, visits on Saturdays, Sundays and during school holidays. By reservation for groups, in French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and in sign language.
- Adapted visit for handicapped people (by reservation only)
- Thematic visits depending on cultural events at the monument
- Visits for schools combining activities and visit of the site.
- Visit with a guide in period costume, discovery visits, thematic visits and heritage workshops. All year long by reservation.