Carcassonne, at the heart of stone and legendMay 2026

Carcassonne is not a city you visit during this first week of May.

— it is a city you live.

Behind its thousand-year-old ramparts lie cobbled alleyways, forgotten flavours and a southern art de vivre that makes perfect sense far from the summer crowds. May is the ideal month to discover it!

Here are some activities on offer for you.

1 The medieval Cité and the Château Comtal

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cité of Carcassonne is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe. Walk the 3 km of free-access ramparts between the two enclosures, explore the Château Comtal with its audio guide, and let yourself be carried away by a thousand years of Cathar history. Arrive early in the morning to enjoy the golden light on the towers this May.

2 Canal du Midi cruise and cycling

Also a UNESCO site, the Canal du Midi runs alongside Carcassonne beneath an arch of century-old plane trees. Choose a guided commentary cruise with Carcassonne Croisières (1h30) or hire a bike to reach Trèbes through the Aude countryside. Another way to discover the region, drifting with the water.

3 Basilica of Saint-Nazaire and its Gothic stained glass

An architectural gem at the heart of the Cité, the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire houses some of the finest Gothic stained-glass windows in southern France (13th–14th century). Entry is free, and the light filtered through the windows is spectacular. Allow at least an hour to appreciate the Romanesque nave and the radiating chapels.

4 Museum of Fine Arts

A true delight. Entirely free entry, collections of French and Flemish paintings from the 17th to the 19th century, plus regular temporary exhibitions. Open Tue–Sat, 9:45 to 18:00 (lunch break). Ideal for a half-day in the lower town.

5 Eliette, artist name

She began painting in 1980 at the Carcassonne school of art, starting with watercolour then moving to oil, acrylic and pastel. 53 Rue de Verdun, CARCASSONNE. Until 9 May 2026, from 09:45 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.

Eliette began sculpting in 2005 at the Catalan school, working with terracotta. Her technique is based on hand-modelling — each piece is unique, numbered, signed and made entirely by hand using the "coil" or "slab" method. Eliette's artistic approach draws its inspiration from the female body…