Founded over 2,000 years ago, Carcassonne has one of the most extraordinary, well-preserved medieval decors in Europe.

Overlooking the Aude valley, the old City still looks like a medieval fortified town, surrounded by walls: there are three kilometres of ramparts and 26 towers. Its very stones bear witness to the art of fortification. From the ramparts you have a panoramic view over the Languedoc plain against a backdrop of the Pyrenees to the south and the Black Mountains to the north.

Carcassonne was famous for its cloth manufacturing and wine industries, but difficulties in these sectors have led it to diversify into other industrial and commercial activities.

However, tourism has become the town's key asset. Over 2.5 million tourists flock to Carcassonne every year. Two summer highlights: the Carcassonne Festival (music, drama, street animations...) and "Les Médiévales", a costumed re-enactment of the City's history.