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From Toulouse to Carcassonne day trip private
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private tours
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Cultural
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06 hours
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Small Groups ( 2~8 )
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Relaxed
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Multi-languages
English Français
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Reviews
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Contact-us
Highlights
- An Idyllic Half Day Trip from Toulouse to Medieval Carcassonne
- Visit the Impressive Saint Nazaire Basilica
- Catch the Highlights of this Old Walled City
- Local Tour Guide, Expert in Carcassonne
Program & Itinerary
Capture The Best Of Carcassonne In Just 4 Hours
From Toulouse depart for a half day tour to the fortified city of Carcassonne one of the most famous Unesco World Heritage Sites of the region. On this half day trip to Carcassonne, we will first come and pick you up at your centrally located accommodation in Toulouse.
Meet your English speaking local guide
Meet your English speaking driver who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then you will board your air conditioned minivan and it will be time to drive off to this morning's destination. The drive from Toulouse to Carcassonne is about an hour. As you drive, admire the Languedoc landscape with its rolling hills, fields of bright yellow sunflowers and of course the Canal du Midi that you will follow until Carcassonne.
A bit of History
The oldest traces of mankind - 6th century B.P - were found on the promontory where the now medieval Cité lies. Around 300 B.P, the Volques Tectosages brought the Iberians of Languedoc to submission.
In 122 B.P, the Romans conquered the Provence and the Languedoc regions of France. They fortified the oppidum which took the name of Carcaso and occupied our region until the middle of the 5th century. The Visigoths then became the masters of Spain and the Languedoc. The Cité remained in their hands from 460 to 725 A.D. In the spring of 725, the Saracens took the Cité.
They were driven away in 759 by Pépin le Bref, king of the Franks. After the death of Charlemagne, the dismembering of the Empire gave birth to the feudal system. It was under the dynasty of the Trencavels, from 1082 to 1209, that the town began to gain tremendous influence.
During this prosperous period, Catharism grew rapidly. Raymond Roger Trencavel, vicomte of Carcassonne (1194-1209) both tolerated and protected the heretics on his own lands. He suffered the first impact of the crusade preached by Pope Innocent III and on August 15th, 1209, after a two-week siege, it was all over. The Cité and the lands of Trencavel were first handed to the military commander of the crusade, Simon de Montfort, then to the King of France in 1224.
As the Cité made its entry into the Royal Estate, its destiny took a new turn. Under the successive reigns of Louis IX, Philippe Le Hardi and Philippe Le Bel, it grew its modern-day shape. A new borough was born on the left bank in 1262: La Bastide Saint-Louis. Set on fire by the Black Prince in 1355, it was immediately rebuilt. While this new town was bustling with activity, the Cité consolidated its role as a royal fortress.
But due to the use of new war techniques (gunpowder, cannon) and above all to the recession of the Franco-Spanish border in 1659 after the Peace of the Pyrénées, it was gradually abandoned. In the 18th century, the Cité was little more than a slum, a poverty-stricken, outlying area in a town made wealthy by the wine trade and the cloth manufacturing industry.
Only through the joint efforts of Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille, a historian and a citizen of Carcassonne, of Mérimée and the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc was it saved from demolition. Thousands of people today are able to see and admire the most accomplished fortified town in Europe.
Visit of Carcassonne with your tour guide
Reach the cité de Carcassonne that looks like some fairy-tale medieval city. Bathed in late-afternoon sunshine and highlighted by dark clouds, La Cité, as the old walled city is known, is truly breathtaking. The fortress is the largest remaining fortified city in Europe. Follow your guide as you listen to the local stories and legends and be amazed by its old stones and its history.
Follow the ramparts with your guide, to get a feel of the medieval beauty of the biggest fortified city then stroll through the narrow streets lined with shops. Reach the Cathedral of Carcassonne. The visit of the Saint Nazaire Basilica with its outstanding stained-glass windows that date back to the middle ages is a must. After the visit of the Cité, enjoy some free time for personal discovery. Then, we will drive you back to Toulouse and that will be the end of our services.
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10:00 am
Meet your Guide at your Accommodation in Toulouse
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11:00 am
Carcassonne Guided Walking Tour
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12:15 pm
Free time for personal discovery in Carcassonne
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04:00 pm
Drop off at your accommodation in Toulouse
Gallery
Know before you book
- Tour available all year round (except May 1st, Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
- 6 hour tour to Carcassonne from Toulouse
- Comfortable walking shoes are required, lots of cobblestone in Carcassonne
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Prices are per group from 2 to 8 persons - Larger groups please contact us
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
Meeting point
Departure
Return
Reviews
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4848jber
04, Oct 2019
He was on time. Very professional and helpful. He did a great job with explaining the history of Carcassonne. Walked around with us and then gave us some...
Included / excluded
Included
- Pick up and drop off at hotel
- English speaking driver guide
- Visit of the Cité of Carcassonne
- Travel in premium A/C minivan
Excluded
- Entrance fees to monuments or attractions
- (Counts Castle in Carcassonne)
- Personal insurance & expenses
- Meals & drinks
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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Do you organize pick up and return at accommodation for Toulouse private tours?
Yes, all private tours include a pick up and drop off at requested location – hotel, AirB&B, train station or airport. -
What type of vehicles are used during a day trip from Toulouse.
Our company uses only premium cars & minivans that can take up to a maximum of 8 passengers. All vehicles are new or recent, comfortable, spacious and have A/C. For larger groups, you will need to contact us directly. -
Is the price per person or per group?
All our private tours are priced per group of 2 to maximum 8 passengers, not per person. The wine tasting fees can be purchased during the booking process and these are per person. -
Is this Private Tour only available in English?
No, our talented, multi lingual driver guides will be happy to conduct the tour in French or Spanish. Just ask for availability. -
Will it be possible to visit the Counts Castle in Carcassonne?
Yes, absolutely. If you wish to visit the Counts Castle you can purchase the tickets directly on our website during the booking process. We will then take care of the tickets for you so that you do not have to wait in line upon arrival.
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