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Carcassonne's Medieval Walls: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Historian James McDonald
4.6
27 Ratings
Carcassonne
Discover the medieval walls of Carcassonne on a self-guided walking tour with historian James McDonald. Learn about the city’s defense strategies and explore at your own pace.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- La Cité Médiévale - This self-guided audio tour takes place around the medieval city of Carcassonne.
- Buste De Dame Carcas - On this tour, you’ll see the Buste de Dame Carcas (a sculpture of Lady Carcas) and tell you the story of how she saved the city from Charlemagne.
- Porte Narbonnaise - As you enter the city through Porte Narbonnaise (Narbonne Gate, you’ll begin following the wall, which encircles the old city. Along the way, you’ll also learn about the Cathars who flourished here in the twelfth century, the crusade launched against them, and some of the sieges that took place here.
- Walls of Carcassonne - As you follow the wall around the city, you’ll learn about medieval warfare and locate the various “kill zones” that enemies risked finding themselves trapped in when attempting to siege the city.
- Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne - You’ll take in the impressive and almost century-old Château et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne, also known as the Château Comtal, where the castle meets the wall and its surrounding defenses.
- Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne - You’ll take in the impressive and almost century-old Château et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne, also known as the Château Comtal, where the castle meets the wall and its surrounding defenses.
- Monument Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille - You’ll gaze upon the monument de la Jean Pierre Cros Mayrevieille, a doctor of law, a historian and an Inspector of Historic Monuments who saved the city from ruin.
- Basilique Saint Nazaire - On this two-hour tour, you won’t just trace the walls of Carcassonne, you’ll also venture into its centre through various gates including the Aude, Nazaire, and Toulouse Gates, and see the Church of Saints Nazaire and Celse, the city’s two patron saints.
What's Included
- Lifetime access to tour in English
- VoiceMap app for Android & iOS
- Offline audio, maps & geodata access
What's Not Included
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
Additional Information
Are you looking for a way to see Medieval Carcassonne without joining a tour group? This three-hour tour, narrated by historian, James McDonald takes you beyond the walls and back in time. Explore at your own pace with this affordable self-guided walking tour.
• Find out how to identify the many “killing zones” in which enemies risked being trapped while besieging the city
• Hear from producer James McDonald, an English historian of the medieval period specialising in the Languedoc
• Do it all in 150 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
• Use the virtual tour option at home
Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.
The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start.
- Please note: You won’t be guided through any museums or other attractions mentioned en route. If you choose to enter and visit such places, you’ll need to pay for it independently of this tour.
Location
Buste de Dame Carcas
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(27 Ratings)
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Paul_d
Aug 15, 2024
This is an excellent... - This is an excellent well-paced walkthrough that we would highly recommend. Particularly liked the fact it steered clear of the mob scenes - it was extremely busy - in the streets, chateau and ramparts.
If I could find a companion tour that focuses on the day to day lives of people living behind those Medieval walls, that delved a bit deeper into the social aspects, politics, art, economics and religion we’d buy it in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Viator
F2879lvlindab
Aug 9, 2024
Great way to visit the Citie - A necessity if you are not on a group visit to the site. Easy to use and an invaluable source of information and background. 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mihiignosce
Jul 30, 2024
Best Tour Ever - Just astonishing. Perfect in every way. Top quality. The exact opposite of the usual Disney experience in tourist traps like this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oboscribe
Jul 25, 2024
Wonderful place - Carcassonne is, quite simply, fabulous. Against expectations food and drink prices are very reasonable with a huge choice of nice places
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hollyc366
Jul 10, 2024
Interesting tour - We thought the historical information and the details on this self-guided tour were very informative and interesting. Unfortunately we couldn’t see all of it due to the festival. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rhyll_h
Jul 1, 2024
Walking solo - I loved the ease of use of the app the historical facts were really interesting. I found it easy to navigate my way around the city
Review provided by Viator
Mike_918273
Jun 12, 2024
A great option for self guided - Excellent directions and descriptions. Was thoroughly entertained and never bored throughout the tour. Rarely had to look at my phone for directions. While we don’t have a guided tour to compare it to, we were very happy with this option that let us go at our own pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pikisal
Apr 15, 2024
A remarkable site - Superb historical monument, not to be missed under any circumstances.
Don't hesitate to book your tickets in advance.
The official guides will offer you an enriching and exciting experience of this citadel which has had many lives.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C9570wklaural
Aug 5, 2024
Very nice - Very nice view, free for pmr and 1 companion. Many steps but we can land in the meantime. It is very beautiful!! We also visited by carriage where the lady was very kind and explained the history of this beautiful city!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa
Apr 22, 2024
Not for the technologically challenged. - We downloaded everything before we got there but couldn't get it to work at the castle. I'm sure it was something we did wrong & not the program itself but I have to give a low score bcos technically we didn't get the tour.
All was not lost however. There was plenty of information inside the castle to find the information we wanted.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
