Carcassonne: Secrets of the Castle's Defense Self-Guided Tour
Overview
How do you stop an army of 20,000 men? Carcassonne had an answer: double walls, more than one thousand arrow slits, and a narrow corridor between the ramparts designed as a killing zone.
This self-guided audio walking tour takes you inside the engineering of Europe's largest medieval fortress, from Roman foundations to the siege that brought down the Cathars. You will walk the spaces between the walls where invaders were trapped, stand where Dame Carcas fooled Charlemagne with a single pig, examine how arrow slits gave defenders a lethal advantage, and end at the Basilica of Saint Nazaire with its remarkable stained glass.
The tour plays on the Tourific app (iOS and Android), works entirely offline once downloaded, and is available in nine languages. Start anytime, pause whenever you like, and go at your own pace, no fixed schedule, no group to keep up with. Over 20,000 travelers have used our self-guided tours. The tour comes with a full refund guarantee.
What's Included
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you don’t love the tour, write to us for a full refund.
- Offline access to the tour (no internet connection needed) once tour is downloaded
- Images to identify stops and in app interactive map for navigation
- 1-year access on iOS & Android. Listen to the tour anytime, as many times as you like
- Check or search your inbox for an email from “Tourific” with tour access instructions.
- Audio and written guide included
- Any entry tickets
- Entrance to Château Comtal is not included. Travellers are responsible to buy tickets to enter if they wish to enter. The tour does not require you to enter the Château.
- Human tour guide at location
Meeting Location
Porte Narbonnaise
11000 Carcassonne, France
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
La Cité
Place Saint-Nazaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Carcassonne Center
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Château Comtal
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Eglise Saint-nazaire
20 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Carcassonne: Secrets of the Castle’s Defense Self-Guided Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-472599P8
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.31 out of 5 stars based on 13 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Immerse yourself in the magic of medieval history with our Exclusive Private Guided Tour of Carcassonne. Choose between two options: 2-Hour Tour of the Cité...
$61
The Best Way to Discover Carcassonne: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity....
$3
Step back in time with our enchanting tour of Carcassonne. Explore the historic Cité, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking architecture and...
$71
This tour showcases the best of the medieval city with a certified guide. History is revealed along the way and gives you the main historical...
$29
Immerse yourself in the magic of medieval history with our Exclusive Private Guided Tour of Carcassonne. Choose between two options: 2-Hour Tour of the Cité...
$61
The Best Way to Discover Carcassonne: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity....
$3
Step back in time with our enchanting tour of Carcassonne. Explore the historic Cité, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking architecture and...
$71
This tour showcases the best of the medieval city with a certified guide. History is revealed along the way and gives you the main historical...
$29
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Carcassonne During World War 2
We will visit buildings, memorials, statues, and places that have a link back to World War 2 and I will share my love of the...
$23
Guided by Master Guilhem, Dive into the 13th century in Carcassonne at the time of the great constructions. A builder from generation to generation, his...
$23
This guided tour is private you will not be mixed with other travelers. The tour adapts to your pace. You will experience an immersion in...
$184
Carcassonne is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe with its double walls still intact — a UNESCO World Heritage Site most visitors only skim...
$14
We will visit buildings, memorials, statues, and places that have a link back to World War 2 and I will share my love of the...
$23
Guided by Master Guilhem, Dive into the 13th century in Carcassonne at the time of the great constructions. A builder from generation to generation, his...
$23
This guided tour is private you will not be mixed with other travelers. The tour adapts to your pace. You will experience an immersion in...
$184
Carcassonne is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe with its double walls still intact — a UNESCO World Heritage Site most visitors only skim...
$14
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you don’t love the tour, write to us for a full refund.
- Offline access to the tour (no internet connection needed) once tour is downloaded.
- Images to identify stops and in app interactive map for navigation.
- 1-year access on iOS & Android. Listen to the tour anytime, as many times as you like.
- Check or search your inbox for an email from “Tourific” with tour access instructions.
- Audio and written guide included.
- Any entry tickets.
- Entrance to Château Comtal is not included. Travellers are responsible to buy tickets to enter if they wish to enter. The tour does not require you to enter the Château.
- Human tour guide at location.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Carcassonne: Secrets of the Castle's Defense Self-Guided Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Carcassonne: Secrets of the Castle’s Defense Self-Guided Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you don’t love the tour, write to us for a full refund.
- Offline access to the tour (no internet connection needed) once tour is downloaded
- Images to identify stops and in app interactive map for navigation
- 1-year access on iOS & Android. Listen to the tour anytime, as many times as you like
- Check or search your inbox for an email from “Tourific” with tour access instructions.
- Audio and written guide included
- Any entry tickets
- Entrance to Château Comtal is not included. Travellers are responsible to buy tickets to enter if they wish to enter. The tour does not require you to enter the Château.
- Human tour guide at location
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
