
Château Comtal and Carcassonne tours and tickets

Discover the château of the Counts of Carcassonne and the ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site located at the heart of the fortified city....
24 hours

Discover one of the most beautiful fortified cities of the Middle Ages on a private two-hour walking tour of Carcassonne. Learn more about t...
2 hours 15 minutes
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The inside story
The Château Comtal is a medieval castle within the Cité of Carcassonne. The castle was originally built in the 12th century by Bernard Aton and consisted of two main buildings and a watch tower. After the city was unsuccessfully beseiged numerous times in the 13th century, the castle was enlarged into a fortress by the French, surrounding the castle with high walls.
The castle served as the home of the King of France, a military base, and prison before becoming a museum today. In the mid 17th century, the city of Carcassonne lost its military significance and the fortress was abandoned. However, in the 19th century, architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc renovated the fortress and castle. Due to the many changes of power in the city's history, Château Comtal is built in a variety of styles. The oldest parts of the castle are built in medieval style, as well as Gothic and Romanesque structures.